Kakao Corp. has reportedly claimed the top position in South Korea’s entertainment industry by revenue, using its 2023 acquisition of SM Entertainment. According to Billboard Korea, it surpassed rival group HYBE Co., which is home to leading K-pop acts like BTS. The publication cited data compiled by corporate research firm CEO Score from the Domestic Popular Culture and Arts Information System, released July 29, 2026, showing that Kakao achieved ₩1.26 trillion (~ $860 million USD) in revenue last year. This marked a surge of 15.2% from the prior period. According to the study, Kakao accounted for 27% of the combined revenue of the country's top 30 entertainment companies.