Our Bureau
Mumbai
South Korean entertainment giants HYBE and Kakao Entertainment are intensifying their efforts to tap into India’s booming media and entertainment sector, with a particular focus on the major urban hubs of Delhi and Mumbai. The Indian market, projected to reach a value of 46 trillion won ($33 billion) by the end of 2025, is drawing aggressive expansion strategies from Korean firms eager to replicate their global success.
HYBE, the powerhouse behind K-pop superstars BTS, announced plans to launch a wholly owned Indian subsidiary as early as this fall. The company is actively scouting Mumbai as a potential base for its operations, citing the city’s vibrant music scene and rapidly growing K-pop fanbase. “The K-pop business model must be applied to and exported to other music genres to survive,” said HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, underscoring the firm’s commitment to localized artist development and cross-cultural collaboration.
Meanwhile, Kakao Entertainment has already established a significant presence in India through its 2020 acquisition of Kross Pictures, which has operated in the country since 2015. Kross Pictures gained national attention with the 2019 Indian remake of the Korean film “Miss Granny,” retitled “Oh! Baby,” which topped box office charts. Kakao has also targeted India’s urban youth by launching webtoon platforms such as Kross Komics and Tapas, offering Korean digital comics in English and regional languages.
Both companies face considerable challenges in navigating India’s complex cultural and linguistic landscape. With over 1.4 billion people and more than 20 official languages, Delhi and Mumbai serve as strategic entry points due to their cosmopolitan populations and established media industries. However, industry insiders caution that regional preferences, religious sensitivities, and the lack of a unified media distribution network require careful adaptation and local partnerships to ensure success.
Despite these hurdles, the profit potential remains high. As digital content consumption surges in Delhi and Mumbai, Korean entertainment firms are betting that their blend of music, drama, and webtoons can capture the imagination of India’s next generation of consumers.
