- 1 Million Monthly Active Paid Subscribers and 5.5 Million Cumulative Members - Superfan-Based Business Model Takes Root
- Annual GMV Reaches 80 Billion KRW, Establishing Comprehensive Revenue Structure Through 'Fandom Business 360'
- Continues Global Market Growth with 70% International Users
SEOUL, Korea - January 15, 2026 (Thursday) - Global fandom platform b.stage has demonstrated the scalability of its superfan-based business model by surpassing 1 million monthly active paid subscribers and 5.5 million cumulative members this past December. Additionally, based on its platform structure connecting fan experiences with commerce, b.stage recorded over 80 billion KRW in annual gross merchandise volume (GMV) in 2025, showing stable growth momentum.
This growth was driven significantly by the launch of b.stage-powered fan platforms for major IPs including G-Dragon, Son Heung-min, and “KPop Demon Hunters”, along with the expansion of new services throughout 2025. In particular, the expansion of membership services and POP, b.stage's real-time interactive communication feature, has enabled global fans to engage more closely with IPs through b.stage while also leading to increased paid conversion rates.
b.stage supports IP owners in expanding their relationships with superfans into long-term businesses through its "Fandom Business 360" service, which connects all aspects of fandom activities—from membership subscriptions and real-time interactive communication to global commerce, data analysis, and targeted marketing—into a single ecosystem. Within this structure, the rapid increase in paid subscribers indicates that the superfan-based revenue model has entered a stable growth phase.
In 2025, b.stage's annual GMV surpassed 80 billion KRW. This growth was driven by a diversified portfolio including membership subscriptions, digital content, merchandise sales, pop-up stores, and ticket/event integration. This demonstrates that the superfan business structure—where fan activities directly translate into revenue—has taken root, serving as proof of b.stage's market competitiveness in the fandom business model.
Global market expansion is also notable. Currently, approximately 70% of all b.stage users are international, with continued growth in global fandom inflow centered around the United States, Japan, and Asia. As global fandoms across various sectors including K-POP, esports, musicals, sports, and content IPs operate on b.stage, bemyfriends—b.stage's operating company—has established itself as global infrastructure enabling IP owners worldwide to develop superfan businesses.
Building on these achievements, bemyfriends will strengthen its position as a global superfan business infrastructure company in 2026. Leveraging expertise accumulated from building over 350 fan platforms and collaborating with more than 1,000 artists, the company will support the establishment of superfan economies across all industries beyond K-POP. The company is also pursuing expansion of its fandom business expertise into emerging markets such as India. Beyond the IT platform, bemyfriends plans to accelerate the expansion of its infrastructure-based superfan business model through official pop-ups for Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters and Japanese idol group Snow Man, as well as global IP-based ventures in merchandise and characters.
Woo Seok Seo, CEO of bemyfriends, stated, "By achieving 1 million monthly active paid subscribers and 80 billion KRW in annual GMV through b.stage, we have proven that the superfan business model actually works in the global market. Based on this validation, in 2026 we will make a full-scale leap forward as a global superfan business infrastructure company, providing all necessary infrastructure for any IP worldwide to start and grow superfan businesses."
He continued, "We provide comprehensive 'Fandom Business 360' services from community to commerce, data analysis, targeted marketing, and advertising, and through synergy with our subsidiary Dreamus Company, we are demonstrating a music industry-specialized superfan business model. We will expand the superfan business expertise that began in K-POP to all industries worldwide."
Meanwhile, bemyfriends, b.stage's operating company, has embarked on expanding its fandom business ecosystem encompassing music, concerts, merchandise, and fandom platforms through its acquisition of Dreamus Company, which operates the music streaming platform FLO. Going forward, bemyfriends plans to further enhance service integration between b.stage and FLO, and expand market competitiveness through building an integrated fandom ecosystem connecting music, concerts, merchandise, and fandom platforms.
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