"Paved the way"— Fans react as BTS' full-group concert is reported to generate ₩1.2 trillion, fueling hopes for 2025 comeback
On June 17, 2025, Asia Economy reported that BTS' full-group comeback could generate an economic impact of as much as ₩1.2 trillion from a single concert, with an expected annual sales of approximately ₩1.87 trillion. This news comes as SUGA is set to complete his military service on June 21, marking the group's full comeback for the first time since October 2022.
With speculation surrounding a new album and the possibility of a world tour in 2026, many believe the group will commence activities later this year with some type of performance or symbolic release to celebrate their return. The latest report has reignited excitement among their fan base and reconfirmed the group's remarkable cultural and economic value.
The septet's influence on South Korea's GDP has been previously estimated at ₩5 trillion annually. Their global activities have consistently impacted sectors such as tourism, cosmetics, fashion, and digital media.
With Jin and j-hope discharged in 2024, and RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook completing their service earlier this month (June 2025), anticipation for a full-scale comeback is at an all-time high. Fans responded with overwhelming enthusiasm across social media. An X user, @93FAIRIEYNGI, wrote,
"As always, bts paved the way."
Many expressed that the data places BTS in a leading position in the industry. They described them as the driving force behind the K-pop wave.
"Finding out this fact randomly in 2023 is what sent me down the rabbit hole. Like what do you mean 7 men's economic impact is worth 0.3% of their countries GDP??? That's insane, their music must be amazing...," a fan wrote.
"You're telling me they can be billionaires in USD currency too?," an X user mentioned.
"yeah no one will ever be at b t s' level," a netizen remarked.
"The influence of B T S is frighteningly large. B T S as group, is as powerful as the world's most successful business company," a fan commented.
Some urged the South Korean government to match the momentum. Others looked forward to seeing group projects soon.
"My thoughts: SK is the most f**king ungrateful country in the world!! B T S put that country on the map, boosted their economy, and all the media, politicians, and part of the population feel toward them is envy. I've never seen a culture so envy," a fan wrote .
"And when I say that BTS owes nothing to Korea it's real, on the contrary BTS contributes too much just by existing," an X user mentioned.
"Then they'll send such ppl to frontlines. SK doesn't deserve B T S," a netizen remarked.
More about BTS’ economic influence and return timeline
Previous reports from the Hyundai Research Institute and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute have consistently emphasized the group's economic impact. Their 2020 hit Dynamite was estimated to have generated a 1.7 trillion KRW ripple effect.
Meanwhile, their annual contributions to GDP were estimated at around 4–5 trillion KRW. The group was credited with boosting exports of Korean goods and attracting nearly 800,000 international tourists each year before enlistments began.
The group’s influence even extended to stock markets. HYBE's share price saw a notable rise this month amid reunion buzz. Industry analysts expect BTS to announce a new single or album by late 2025, followed by a world tour in 2026.
Their previous tours, such as Love Yourself: Speak Yourself, brought in hundreds of billions of KRW in revenue. The Asian Economy also emphasized that BTS’ storytelling, sincerity, and digital engagement have set them apart from industry norms, further fueling interest in what their next era might look like.
As BTS enters its next chapter, expectations are high not only for their music but also for the global ripple effect their return will inevitably cause.
