K-Pop Industry Consolidation refers to the ongoing trend of major entertainment companies acquiring smaller firms and competing for market dominance in South Korea's music industry. This phenomenon gained significant attention in 2023 when HYBE attempted to acquire SM Entertainment¹, creating a bidding war with Kakao Corp². The consolidation trend raises concerns about market concentration and antitrust issues³, as major players like HYBE continue strategic acquisitions to expand their global reach and control over K-Pop talent and distribution.