South Korea’s HYBE launches ABD, a brand new label devoted to lady group manufacturing.
Main ABD, brief for A Daring Dream, is its inaugural president Jiwon No, who beforehand served as head of artist planning at PLEDIS and MORE VISION. At ABD, she is going to oversee the label’s total administration and strategic path.
The primary ABD mission will debut within the second half of 2026. Sung Soo Han, well known because the artistic mastermind behind such artists as SEVENTEEN, After College, IZ*ONE, and TWS, will lead the lady group’s total manufacturing, from music to idea and efficiency.
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“The creation of ABD aligns with HYBE’s multi-label technique, which champions artistic independence and autonomy inside HYBE’s broader help framework,” reads a press release, issued Friday, Could 8. “With a definite deal with lady group growth and the introduction of differentiated IP and inventive id, the launch of ABD marks a strategic step in strengthening HYBE’s multi-label ecosystem as Okay-pop continues to evolve globally.”
HYBE is on a excessive, after reporting record-setting income at 698.3 billion KRW ($470.2 million), thanks largely to the comeback of BTS and the group’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, and world tour.
Inside the remainder of Okay-pop specialist’s artist portfolio, ENHYPHEN’s seventh mini album, THE SIN: VANISH, grew to become the group’s fourth double-million vendor throughout the interval, whereas CORTIS’ debut album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, surpassed 2 million copies in cumulative gross sales.
HYBE America reported robust features with KATSEYE, the lady group that just lately surpassed 32 million month-to-month listeners on Spotify, whereas their EPs, SIS (Delicate Is Sturdy) and BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, offered a mixed 1 million copies. The quarter additionally noticed the relaunch of BMLG as Blue Freeway Data, led by Jake Basden as CEO.
ABD “embodies the label’s artistic philosophy of pursuing unconventional, versatile, and playful concepts that push past norm,” reads the assertion unveiling the brand new label. “Guided by a deep understanding of each artists and followers, the brand new label goals to pursue the intrinsic pleasure of music whereas exploring new prospects and increasing the horizons of Okay-pop.”
