In an article, industry experts revealed why (G)I-DLE will most likely become a million-seller with their 2023 comeback. In addition to this, researchers mentioned the group's contribution to their agency, Cube Entertainment.
Researchers Reveal How Big (G)I-DLE's Contribution To Cube Entertainment Is
On April 10, securities firms hinted at the entry of Cube Entertainment among the "BIG 5" K-pop agencies.
In particular, "BIG 3," comprised of SM, JYP and YG, hereinafter "BIG 4" with the addition of HYBE, are the current companies dominating the entertainment and music scene.
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While these agencies became massive, thanks to the majority of the most popular artists signed under them, securities companies highlighted how (G)I-DLE "singlehandedly" increased Cube's share by 54% this 2023.
IBK Investment & Securities stated:
"The performance of (G)I-DLE, a major artist, is improving due to the expansion of its global fandom."
A researcher from the firm, Lee Hwan Wook, explained:
"Not only (G)I-DLE's direct sales of records, music sources, performances, and advertisements contribute to (Cube Entertainment) profits, but some factors of the increase also include the sales of secondary products related to intellectual property (IP) such as content (YouTube)."
Lee Nam Soo, a researcher at KIWOOM Securities supported the aforementioned statements, adding:
"The top contributor to the improvement in (Cube's) performance is (G)I-DLE, who are reborn as global stars. The group will greatly help strengthen profitability, especially with the 'economies of scale' of record and music, concerts, and advertisements "
Experts Predict (G)I-DLE Will Become Million Seller With Their 2023 Comeback
One of the profit contributors of Cube Entertainment is its artists' album sales. As of 2022, the company recorded consolidated sales of 120.6 billion won (93.3 million USD), recording a 67.7% increase year on year, while its operating profit amounted to 6.9 billion won (5.2 million USD).
Among its artists, (G)I-DLE album sales have continued to grow quantitively, recording 150,000 with its 3rd mini-album in 2020, 202,000 in 2021 (4th mini-album), 254,000 in March 2022 for its regular album, and 839,000 copies with its 5th mini-album.
As a result, KIWOOM Securities predicted:
"When (G)I-DLE releases a new album this year, it is expected to become a million-seller (more than 1 million copies)."
Researcher Lee, who's an expert in the field, explained that aside from popularity, the main reason they will most likely achieve it was due to the lifting of China's restrictions against the Hallyu Wave.
"We can directly benefit from the lifting of the Korean Wave ban in China. The number of advertising contracts for Chinese member Yuqi continues to increase."
In fact, the member currently boasts about 7.6 million subscribers on Weibo, the largest social networking platform in China. She ranked 6th among K-pop artists and second among female idols following BLACKPINK Lisa.
Meanwhile (G)I-DLE, comprised of Soyeon, Miyeon, Yuqi, Minnie and Shuhua, is reportedly going to make a comeback sometime in the second half of 2023.
There is already high expectation after making two consecutive hits, "TOMBOY" and "Nxde."
READ MORE: (G)I-DLE Shuhua Reveals 'Brutal' Yet 'Better' Method of Cube To Maintain Artist's Weight
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