South Korea’s leading entertainment conglomerate, HYBE, has officially announced plans to establish a subsidiary in India by the second half of 2025. The company, which manages global stars like BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), and KATSEYE, confirmed that groundwork is already in motion for this expansion. On June 30, HYBE shared that it had begun in-depth market research and was actively handling legal and operational steps necessary to launch a fully functioning entity in India. The target for the official rollout is between September and October 2025.
This move is part of a long-term strategy developed by HYBE’s founder and chairman, Bang Si Hyuk. Known as the “Multi-home, Multi-genre” model, his vision centers on developing localized music ecosystems rather than simply exporting K-pop to other countries. It emphasizes discovering and nurturing native talent while respecting and incorporating regional cultures. The goal is to create original content that resonates deeply with local audiences, using HYBE’s refined artist training infrastructure. Chairman Bang is reportedly overseeing the India expansion himself, underscoring its importance to the company’s global ambitions.
India’s significance in this strategy is unmistakable. With over 1.4 billion people and a large, music-hungry youth population, the country is considered a sleeping giant in the global music industry. In recent years, Indian fans have played a growing role in the international rise of K-pop, reflected in social media trends, streaming figures, and online fan engagement. Despite this surge in popularity, no major K-pop agency has launched a fully localized operation in the country—until now. HYBE’s decision to enter the Indian market could signal the beginning of a new chapter in South Korea’s cultural influence abroad, where it not only exports pop music but also invests in the creation of regionally rooted talent.
HYBE’s expansion into India mirrors similar efforts the company has made in other parts of the world. In the U.S., HYBE America gained traction with the debut of girl group KATSEYE, formed through a survival reality show. KATSEYE’s rapid success—charting on the Billboard Hot 100 within their debut year—has served as proof of HYBE’s effective global artist development model. In Latin America, the company partnered with broadcaster Telemundo for a reality audition show called Pase a la Fama, and it is also preparing to launch a Latin boy group through an extensive audition and training process.
Details about HYBE India’s structure, leadership, and talent strategy are still tightly under wraps. It is not yet known whether the company will hold local auditions, collaborate with Indian entertainment firms, or launch new content production initiatives. However, given HYBE’s consistent formula—local launch, intensive training, and global promotion—there is high anticipation surrounding how the Indian subsidiary will take shape. One thing is certain: HYBE’s entry into India represents a bold step toward building a more inclusive and globally diversified music ecosystem.