Lee Jae Sang Discusses K-POP’s Future at 2025 Korea Economy Association Forum

On July 16, 2025, Lee Jae Sang, the CEO of HYBE, delivered a keynote speech at the prestigious 2025 Korea Economy Association CEO Summer Forum held at the Lotte Hotel Jeju. This event marks a significant occasion, coinciding with HYBE’s 20th anniversary and showcasing the company’s evolution in the K-POP industry.

The Crisis Theory in K-POP

During his address, Lee Jae Sang referenced the "crisis theory" proposed by Bang Si Hyuk, the founder of HYBE. He emphasized the necessity for strategic adaptation in response to the dynamic challenges faced by the K-POP industry. This theory highlights the importance of recognizing potential crises and transforming them into opportunities for growth and innovation.

K-content’s Remarkable Growth

Lee also noted that K-content exports reached a staggering $13.3 billion in 2022, a figure that rivals that of home appliance exports. This growth exemplifies the global appeal of Korean culture and its entertainment, particularly K-POP. The industry has seen an impressive physical album export growth rate averaging 35.7% from 2015 to 2023, particularly noteworthy given the 1.8% decline in global physical album sales during the same period.

Strategic Pillars of HYBE

Lee Jae Sang outlined three strategic pillars that underscore HYBE’s resilience and growth in the global entertainment market:

1. Multi Home: Emphasizing the creation of diverse platforms that cater to a global audience.
2. Multi Genre: Encouraging versatility and innovation in musical genres to attract a broader fan base.
3. Super Fan Platform: Developing Weverse, a global superfan platform that fosters community engagement and connects fans directly with their favorite artists.

Building Strong Fan Communities

A core message of Lee’s speech was the significance of adapting to local cultures. He stressed that strong fan communities are essential for the continued success of K-POP. By focusing on innovative platforms and collaborations, HYBE aims to create an inclusive environment that resonates with fans worldwide.

Conclusion

As the K-POP industry continues to evolve, Lee Jae Sang’s insights at the 2025 Korea Economy Association CEO Summer Forum highlight the need for strategic adaptation and innovation. With a focus on cultural integration and community building, HYBE is poised to lead the charge in the global entertainment landscape. The future of K-POP looks bright as companies like HYBE embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities.

This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.