Despite the controversy surrounding its beleaguered founder Yang Hyun Suk and former BIGBANG member Seungri, YG Entertainment continues to prosper.

The agency’s consolidated sales for the second quarter of this year were 83.7 billion won and its operating profit was 10.5 billion won. Both saw an increase compared to the same period last year—consolidated sales went up 56% while operating profit went up 277%.

Experts say YG Entertainment performed well in the second quarter due to its collaboration with Weverse, a mobile app and web platform created by HYBE Corporation. It allows artists to communicate directly with fans and upload multimedia content, like music videos and reality shows.

BLACKPINK recently became the agency’s third group on Weverse, after iKON and TREASURE. Aside from Lisa’s solo debut, the ladies who gave the world “Lovesick Girls” are also preparing for a group comeback. Both of those are expected to happen in the second half of 2021. Meanwhile, their fifth anniversary goods have been made available on the Weverse Shop. As a result, the agency is poised to have a strong third quarter.

Things are also looking good for YG Entertainment in 2022, as the agency will reportedly debut a new girl group sometime next year. Furthermore, once their artists can hold offline concerts again, those events will have a positive impact on the agency’s earnings. BLACKPINK’s global reach will have people flocking to arenas and stadiums across the world to see them perform live, while TREASURE’s popularity in Japan is expected to yield healthy ticket sales.

YG Entertainment subsidiary YG Plus is also doing well. Formerly Phoenix Holdings Inc., it was a media and advertisement company acquired by its now-parent group in 2014. In 2019, YG Plus dipped its toes into the music distribution industry.

Earlier this year, HYBE Corporation and Weverse invested 70 billion won in the company, acquiring 17.9% of it in a merchandising and distribution deal that would see YG Entertainment artists join Weverse in return. As per the Korea Exchange, YG Plus recorded 7,480 won on August 12, 2021, up by 9.20% from the previous trading day.

In terms of consolidated sales, YG Plus recorded 41.167 billion won, while its operating profit stood at 4.58 billion won for 2021’s second quarter. Compared to the same period in 2020, those figures show an increase of 61.06% and 206.63%, respectively.

Despite its excellent performance, some continue to call for the agency to close and let go of all its artists. With its founder under investigation for mediating prostitution and its former golden boy being sentenced to three years in prison, netizens’ disbelief and disgust at the situation YG Entertainment is in continues to grow.