Both ATEEZ and xikers have both experienced immense growth over the past year. Credit to KQ Entertainment.
Los Angeles, California (April 17, 2025)- KQ Entertainment has announced its intention to go public next year, signaling a bold step forward as the company rides a wave of success driven by the meteoric rise of its artists, particularly ATEEZ and xikers. Since its founding in 2013, KQ has steadily built its presence in the K-pop industry, and in recent years, its global influence has grown dramatically. The agency’s upcoming IPO is both a reflection of its accomplishments and a strategic move to further scale its operations in the increasingly competitive global music market.
Over the last two years, KQ Entertainment has experienced exceptional financial growth. In 2022, the company posted 46.4 billion won (approximately $32.6 million USD) in revenue and 4.4 billion won in operating profit. By 2023, those figures increased to 65 billion won in revenue and 5.9 billion won in profit. The upward trend continued in 2024, with the company reporting a massive 115.8 billion won in revenue and 12.5 billion won in operating profit. This represents a 150 percent increase in revenue and a 184 percent rise in operating profit over just two years. A key driver behind this surge has been live performance income—concert revenues alone rose by 240 percent in 2024 and made up nearly half of the company’s total earnings.
This growth has been fueled largely by the global success of ATEEZ, who first entered the Billboard 200 in 2021 and reached the top spot twice in 2023. The group recently wrapped a world tour that began in Seoul and reached Japan, North America, and Europe. In North America, ATEEZ held 13 concerts in 10 cities, attracting over 200,000 fans. They also became the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella and the first K-pop act to headline Paris’s massive La Défense Arena, a 40,000-capacity venue. In Europe, strong local demand led to added shows in cities like London and Berlin, further cementing their global appeal.
KQ’s second major act, xikers, has also made a notable impact since their debut in 2023. A product of KQ’s in-house trainee system, xikers launched their first world tour within just six months of debuting, visiting two cities in Japan and six in the United States. In early 2024, they followed up with a successful tour through seven European countries and two cities in Australia, making them the first 5th-generation K-pop group to complete a European tour so soon after debut. Their music has also resonated globally, with two albums reaching the top 100 of the Billboard 200 in their first year.
To prepare for the IPO, KQ Entertainment has signed a contract with Mirae Asset Securities to serve as the lead underwriter and is forming a dedicated team to oversee the process. Internally, the company is undergoing restructuring to ensure a smooth and successful listing. This move aligns with the agency’s broader vision of long-term growth and global expansion.
KQ Entertainment CEO Kim Kyu-wook expressed confidence in the company’s direction and future, stating, “Through the listing, we will create new growth drivers by producing not only ATEEZ and xikers but also various global artists. As we have selected Mirae Asset Securities as the lead underwriter, we will thoroughly prepare for a successful IPO.”
With ATEEZ scheduled to embark on a stadium tour across five major North American cities starting in July and xikers set to launch their own world tour in May, KQ is entering its IPO phase with strong momentum. The agency’s strategic timing, rapidly expanding global fanbase, and increasing influence across key international markets suggest that its public offering may serve not only as a financial milestone but as a pivotal moment in its evolution as a global K-pop leader.
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