On August 2 KST, SM Entertainment published its sales and operating profit data from the second quarter of 2023.
First, the label recorded a total sales of 239.8 billion KRW (~ $185 million USD) in the second quarter of 2023, a 30% increase from the same quarter in 2022. The label also recorded an operating profit of 35.7 billion KRW (~ $27.5 million USD), an 84% increase from the same quarter last year. The total net profit amount for this quarter was 28.3 billion KRW.
Additionally, the entertainment agency has published its tentative artist comeback/debut lineup for the remainder of 2023, as shown below.
First, in July, groups EXO and NCT Dream successfully released the full albums ‘EXIST‘ and ‘ISTJ‘ respectively. Next, in August, Girls’ Generation‘s Hyoyeon and aespa plan to release singles – plans which were recently made public. Furthermore, the lineup chart states that NCT will release a full album some time in August.
In September, Super Junior‘s Yesung, SHINee‘s Key, and EXO‘s D.O. are projected to release mini albums, with the new rookie group RIIZE also releasing their debut single.
Finally, the following artists are projected to have music releases in Q4: TVXQ (full album), Ryeowook (single), Taeyeon (mini album), Taemin (mini album), Minhho (single), Red Velvet (full album), NCT 127 (full album/single), WayV (full album), aespa (mini album/English single), RIIZE (single/single), and NCT Tokyo (single).
Two footnotes at the bottom of the chart indicate, “First half of 2024 debut: New girl group / Virtual IP (Naevis)” and “All items listed above are based on plans as of 23.08.02 and may be changed at a later time.”
