“CAN KOREAN GOVERNMENT PAY THEM THE 7B WON?”- Fans react as BTS’ comeback is speculated to generate 1.87 Trillion won in sales

BTS has once again been highlighted as a driving force behind the South Korean economy, with reports emphasizing their substantial impact on state revenue. However, amidst the discussion of their economic contributions, fans are raising concerns about the group receiving fair compensation.

Many are pointing out that they performed at the 2022 Busan Expo concert for free, and they are now calling on the government to ensure the members are properly paid for their efforts, rather than focusing solely on the financial benefits the group generates for the country.

According to a JoongAng Ilbo report, published on January 2, 2025, BTS is projected to contribute significantly to South Korea’s economic growth once they reunite for group activities, with sales expected to increase by 1.87 trillion won. This boost is anticipated to occur between the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, aligning with the group's return from mandatory military service in early 2025.

Fans have taken to social media, demanding that the group receive proper recognition and compensation for their contributions.

"Tell the government to pay them for the busan concert," a fan said.

"BTS always gives the best for Korea," another fan affirmed.

"How about they get paid for their world expo performance like they deserve," a fan stated.

Some other fans expressed awe at BTS' high market value.

"I hope they are welcomed like kings," a fan expressed.

"It's crazy how the country praises them for raising their GDP and stuff but are still treated like nobodies, like what? But those numbers are bonkers not gonna lie, they will break the internet when they will be back and I'm here for it," a fan wrote.

"As it should, they costs nothing less than trillions," a fan claimed.

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BTS expected to release new music in 2025

JoongAng Ilbo reported that Taylor Swift and BTS have been two of the biggest economy-driving music artists globally. Swift’s The Eras Tour has set records, generating approximately 1.39 trillion won by December 2023, marking the highest revenue for a pop star tour. The economic impact of her fans' spending has been so profound, that terms like “Taylornomics” and “Swiftonomics” have been coined.

Following this trend, "BTSnomics" has been coined to describe the anticipated economic surge expected from the group's return. Anticipation is high in Korea, especially as the members are expected to complete their military service by June 2025. Two members, Jin and j-hope, have already been discharged.

Past studies suggest BTS' substantial economic influence. In 2022, the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute estimated that a single BTS concert could create an economic ripple effect of 1.22 trillion won. Similarly, the Hyundai Research Institute reported that the group contributed over 5 trillion won annually to the Korean economy before their enlistment.

With the group's anticipated return, these numbers are expected to soar even higher. Korean media outlets have also revealed plans for a full album and a world tour in 2025 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the septet's iconic The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series.

As fans celebrate the idea of a global resurgence in "BTSnomics," the success of this era will depend on how HYBE tackles its ongoing challenges and positions the group for a comeback.