Hybe takes over SM... Big Shift of K-Pop industry? [Herald Economy = Reporter Koh Seung-hee]https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002102020?cds=news_media_pc Hybe Chairman Bang si hyuk : https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002102020?cds=news_media_pc Hybe, the agency of BTS, has become the largest shareholder of SM Entertainment. Hybe announced on the 10th that it had signed a contract to acquire 14.8% of the shares held by Soo-man Lee, the founder of SM, for 422.8 billion won. According to the industry, Hybe agreed the night before to acquire a 14.8% (3,523,420 shares) stake in former SM general producer Lee Soo-man at 120,000 won per share.The total amount is expected to reach 423 billion won. Hybe announced that it would take over Lee's stake, and also make a tender offer for the shares held by SM's minority shareholders. The timing of Hybe's appearance is exquisite.Along with Kakao and CJ ENM, Hibe has been mentioned whenever rumors of an SM takeover came up.Then, the conflict between the former executive producer and the current management intensified, and it is said that Lee proposed negotiations to sell shares to Hybe. Former general manager Lee, who held the position of SM’s number one shareholder with an 18.46% stake, predicted that after Kakao’s paid-in capital increase to secure a 9.05% stake, his stake would drop further and his influence as a major shareholder would weaken. SM Ent Co-CEO Lee Seong-soo and Tak Young-jun : https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002102020?cds=news_media_pc SM is also taking a strong stance. On the mound of Hibe, in the name of 25 executives, including co-CEO Lee Seong-soo and Tak Young-jun, announced their position on the morning of the same day, “We oppose all external hostile mergers and acquisitions (M&A).” In particular, SM said, "As we are about to transform and leap forward as a company that leads global entertainment through the SM 3.0 era, we oppose all hostile M&As by gathering strength with all employees and artists." We oppose privatization and will do our best to establish a sound and transparent governance structure and protect shareholder rights.” As Hybe becomes the largest shareholder of SM, it is predicted that an unprecedented change in perception will occur in the entertainment industry.In Hybe, popular K-pop stars such as world-renowned group BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow by Together, ENHYPEN, New Jeans, and Le Seraphim are lined up.SM established the foundation of K-pop and spread it to the world, and TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO, NCT, and Aespa are affiliated with it.Hybe is a latecomer to the music industry and has grown a large group called BTS, but compared to SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment, which have been counted as the 'traditional big three', the absence of 'K-pop tradition and heritage' is a weakness.For Hybe, SM is also a company that can bring both the legacy and future value of K-pop.True to its name, the largest company in the music industry embraces SM, and a megaton-level change in perception is predicted in the K-pop industry. All right reserved : https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002102020?cds=news_media_pc