With Jungkook probably fighting a hard fought, last stand battle against Taylor Swift which would probably end his dream of becoming the next Harry Styles, the myth of BTS is about to end.
Taylor Swift, who has become the top singer of the world again this year, will earn 1.4 billion with 104 tour dates.
BTS would have earned at least that much without losing 4 years. Say they make $1.2 bil per the lost years of 2022-2025 from concerts.
Plus , unlike Taylor Swift whose appeal mostly stay in the richer countries, BTS had a worldwide reach, and it would have released albums, videos and other contents, easily earning 2-3 billion over them.
That is not the end of story. As they reach mid 30s their careers would change, but their descent would be slower, and since they start from a higher ground, it would mean $2-3 billion more.
Mr. Bang probably though the members won't stay with him, since the contracts, which were supposed to end in 2025(with military service 2027), plus he wanted to play with the major tycoons of Korea and if BTS decided to leave Korea behind he would not be welcome in there too, so he chose to sacrifice BTS to join the Elites of Korea.
I felt funny when RM said there was a new contract. They are already locked in till 2027 as the contract stood on 2018. Why there is a new contract needed when the old one has not expired?
Also, no one is discussing the length of the contract. Usually second contract is 1-2 years long. Twice's renewal terms are not disclosed but probably 3, or at most 4, years since Tzuyu, the youngest, would be 27 on 2026. SNSD had renewed for 3 years in 2014, APink had renewed for 5 years in 2018.
I think the second renewal is basically reaffirming the first renewal in 2018 , and to make everyone's contract ends at the same day, sometime in 2027, given the way Hybe has treated the solo activities of the members.
BTS won't be able to return before the 4th Qtr of 2025, since they will need some time to create the album. Pre-making the album now is meaningless since because of the changing global situations anything done now is unlikely to be in vogue by then.
A republican (not necessary Trump, but someone who won't like KPop) is likely to be the US President in 2025, and the ethos in North America would be much less welcoming to KPop, something I have pointed out several times.
Bang wants JK to do a collabo with Kid Laroi. JK is 26, and Kid Laroi is 20. Bang obviously sees Kid Laroi, plus whatever he is doing with Geffen, as Hybe's future and is moving from BTS. Whether JK does that with Kid Laroi remains to be seens, but it seems the trust of the members had on Bang is gone and Bang wants to extract the last drop from the members, since in 2027 the story will change significantly
Bang lost $10 billion of sales and gained a spot among Korea's elites by not making BTS ditch Korea.
The members' opportunity cost will not be recouped. Those who failed at arithmetic at grade school say the benefit for a 'longer run' for BTS would outweigh it, but there is no 'longer run' for idol groups. Already they are fading, and it seems RM knows after a final round of fervor in 2025 or more likely 2026, which is likely to be met by attacks right and left from enemies and ex-friends , its story will probably end for all practical purposes by 2027.
