HYBE Sets Up Shop in Mumbai
K-pop powerhouse HYBE has officially launched HYBE INDIA ENTERTAINMENT PRIVATE LIMITED in Mumbai. This marks the company’s fifth international outpost following ventures in the U.S., Japan, Latin America, and China.
Why Mumbai?
Mumbai isn’t just Bollywood’s home turf. It’s also a melting pot of modern art, live performances, and a vibrant music scene, making it a hotspot for global content creation. So yes, HYBE’s move feels strategic—like setting up camp in the Hollywood-meets-Brooklyn of India.
Mission: Globalize Indian Voices
HYBE INDIA is launching with a mission: “Where voices of India become global stories.” In other words, they’re on a talent hunt to discover and train Indian artists who can hit the global stage—think desi idols on world tours.
The plan? Hold local auditions, build a training system tailored for Indian artists, and support popular HYBE artists’ activities in the region. Basically, it’s K-pop meets Bollywood—with a global spin.
Why India, Why Now?
India’s population clocks in at around 1.46 billion, making it the world’s largest country by headcount. That’s a lot of potential fans. According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India has a whopping 185 million music streamers, ranking just behind the U.S.
And the K-pop craze? It’s booming. A Korean foundation study revealed that K-pop streaming in India spiked by a staggering 362% from 2018 to 2023. Blame—or thank—the surge in smartphone use and easy access to streaming platforms.
HYBE’s Multi-Home, Multi-Genre Master Plan
This is no one-off experiment. HYBE’s launch in India is part of its “Multi-home, Multi-genre” strategy, spearheaded by chairman Bang Si-hyuk. The goal? Combine HYBE’s K-pop production system with local flavors to develop ultra-refined talent across different cultural contexts.
Imagine the choreography of BTS, the soul of AR Rahman, and the global appeal of BLACKPINK—all rolled into one. That’s where this could be headed.
What’s Next?
HYBE isn’t just expanding its address book—it’s strategically weaving itself into mainstream music culture worldwide. With Mumbai as its next global pit stop, don’t be surprised if your next bias comes from Bengaluru or Delhi.
Ready for the rise of Indian idols? Because HYBE sure is.
