South korea: K-pop powerhouse Hybe on Thursday reported its 2025 net loss of 256.7 billion won (US$178.2 million), remaining in the red compared with the previous year. Operating profit for the year was 49.9 billion won, down 72.9 percent on-year, the company said in a regulatory filing. Annual sales rose 17.5 percent to 2.64 trillion won.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hybe's financial results highlight the ongoing challenges the company is facing despite a notable increase in sales. The significant decrease in operating profit, alongside a net loss, suggests that the company is still struggling to convert revenue growth into profitability.

Hybe's sales growth indicates strong market demand and the continued global popularity of K-pop. However, the financial performance also reflects the impact of increased costs or inefficiencies that the company may need to address to return to profitability in the future.