Investments

Hey Anon! Unfortunately, foreigners living outside of Korea cannot participate just yet . For Big Hit Entertainment, retail investors located in Korea will be able to participate in the subscription on 5 Oct and 6 Oct 2020 . But you can still buy the shares when Big Hit shares are traded on the open stock market/KRX . Big Hit is also expected to list on the KOSPI (the major stock market index of South Korea) on Oct 15 . Do note that only 20 percent of the label’s total shares are open to retail investors, so the competition amongst both investors and fans may be fierce. ! // You’re right about the IPO soaring though! 1. Largest IPO listing in South Korea in three years Big Hit Entertainment ( management label of popular South Korean K-Pop group BTS) priced its IPO at the top of its range yesterday which is South Korea's largest listing in three years . Their IPO boasts a valuation higher than the combined value of S.M. Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment , which are South Korea’s three major entertainment companies. Big Hit’s IPO will raise 962.6 billion won (US$820 million) through the offer of 7.13 million new shares . With analysts predicting gross bids from retail investors with the possibility of hitting 100 trillion won (US$85 billion), the South Korean central bank is following the IPO closely, due to the possibility of oversubscription sending waves through short-term funding markets. 2. IPO subscribed over 1000 times Big Hit priced the IPO at 135,000 won (US$115) per share and even at the pre-subscription offer stage, about 1,420 institutional investors sought their shares looking for as many as 1,117 times the number available . This is of course aligned with the band’s popularity and success, their song Dynamite reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Despite having to cancel their planned concerts due to the pandemic, Big Hit reported that sales surged almost 50% and a 49.7 billion won (US$42.4 million) profit for the first half of 2020 with its online concert and merchandise sales. // However, some investors are cautious due to the company’s heavy reliance on a single artist , BTS who accounted for 97.4% of the company’s sales last year and 87.7% in the first half of this year . Furthermore, with compulsory military service awaiting the BTS members , some investors feel this could affect the stock prices in the near future. Big Hit has been diversifying its businesses to counter these risks by acquiring two other agencies , while continuing to nurture and expanding trainees to debut new acts. Yep, so if you happen to be a fan of BTS, I guess it’s great to be able to invest and support your favourite artist at the same time! But that being said, remember to do your own due diligence before deciding!