Korean netizens have been actively comparing the third-quarter financial results of the "Big 4" entertainment companies in K-pop—HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment—following the recent release of their respective Q3 2024 financial reports.

HYBE reported revenue of 527.8 billion KRW (~375.3 million USD) in Q3 2024, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to the same period last year. The operating profit stood at 54.2 billion KRW (~38.5 million USD), reflecting a 25.4% decline year-on-year. Notably, net profit experienced a significant drop of 98.6%, amounting to 1.4 billion KRW (~995,382 USD).

On the other hand, SM Entertainment reported 242.2 billion KRW (~172.2 million USD) in revenue, with 13.3 billion KRW (~9.5 million USD) operating profit and a net profit of 16.0 billion KRW (~11.4 million USD). JYP Entertainment reported 170.5 billion KRW (~121.2 million USD) in revenue, 48.4 billion KRW (~34.4 million USD) operating profit, and a 38.8 billion KRW (~27.6 million USD) net profit - resulting in the most net profit among the 4 entertainment companies. YG Entertainment reported revenue of 83.5 billion KRW (~59.4 million USD), with a -3.6 billion KRW (-2.6 million USD) operating profit, and a net profit of -900 million KRW (-639,884 USD).

Korean netizens observed that HYBE’s earnings fell short of expectations, especially given its reputation as South Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate. Additionally, many noted YG Entertainment’s disappointing financial earnings, suggesting that the agency may be struggling to uphold its status as one of the 'Big 4' entertainment companies.

Korean netizens commented:

"Only 1.4 billion KRW net profit? They need to cancel HYBE's title as a leading company."

"I think JYP Entertainment really has good results."

"YG Entertainment is falling so short that I don't think it deserves to be called one of the 'Big 4' anymore."

"What does YG do these days? It seemed like TREASURE was on tour all the time. Where is their earning?"

"Big applause to JYP for their crazy net profit."

"What's with HYBE? lol."

"HYBE doesn't deserve the title as 'Leading company' with those numbers."

"What's going to happen with YG? And no one cares if HYBE goes under."

"JYP Entertainment is impressive."

"I thought HYBE was reaping up money from fans. Where did that money go?"

"JYP's results are the best among the Big 4. That's crazy."

"HYBE and YG..."

"JYP Entertainment makes the least noise but is the strongest among all the entertainment companies."

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