HYBE owns multiple subsidiary labels and management companies including Ithaca Holdings, boasting a range of artists including BTS, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. It also operates Weverse, a fan community platform where artists upload exclusive content to communicate with fans.
Despite a rise in spending per person among K-pop fans, Bang said the growth in popularity of one of South Korea's most popular cultural exports was slowing in some Southeast Asian countries in particular.
The slowdown was largely, but not exclusively, due to the absence of BTS, who are currently on a break as a group, he said.
"Without BTS, the market drastically shrinks in size," Bang added.
Bang declined to comment on details of a new partnership deal with Kakao Entertainment on fan platform businesses, but added he was "personally satisfied" with the arrangement despite losing the bid to acquire SM Entertainment.
"Platforms where we can mobilize and expand fandoms and where we can offer services to them as well as video gaming are integral parts of our plan for the future," he said.