BTS agency chairman Bang Si-Hyuk faces arrest over alleged fraud scheme
South Korean police are seeking to arrest Hybe chairman Bang Si-Hyuk over alleged investor fraud tied to the company’s IPO, in a case that could impact the K-pop giant as BTS resumes touring.
Published on 21/04/2026 - 12:37 GMT+2
South Korean police are seeking the arrest of Bang Si-Hyuk, the powerful music executive behind Hybe and global K-pop phenomenon BTS, in a widening probe into alleged investor fraud.
Authorities in Seoul said today they have asked prosecutors to pursue a court warrant, escalating a case that centres on claims Bang misled early investors ahead of Hybe’s stock market debut.
Investigators allege that in 2019, Bang told investors the company had no plans for an initial public offering, prompting them to sell shares to a private equity fund. The company later went public, and police believe Bang may have received around 200 billion Won, or roughly €115.7 million, through a side agreement tied to post-IPO profits.
Bang’s legal team has not directly addressed the accusations but said he has “fully and consistently” cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so. Hybe has also maintained that its founder denies any wrongdoing.
The case marks a significant reputational challenge for Hybe at a crucial moment. BTS have recently returned to the global stage following a nearly four-year hiatus while members completed mandatory military service in South Korea.
The group has already drawn tens of thousands of fans to comeback performances in Seoul and Japan, and is set to launch a new run of US shows later this month.
Bang, who founded Hybe in 2005 under its original name Big Hit Entertainment, has long been credited with transforming the company into a global entertainment force. Its expansion included a $1 billion acquisition of Ithaca Holdings in 2021, bringing artists such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande under its umbrella.
In recent years, however, the company has faced internal turbulence. A high-profile dispute between Bang and producer Min Hee-Jin over control of subsidiary Ador and the management of girl group NewJeans spilled into court, highlighting fractures within one of K-pop’s most influential agencies.
With legal scrutiny intensifying, the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications not just for Bang, but for Hybe’s global ambitions at a time when its flagship act is back in the spotlight.
