If you’ve followed the rise of K-pop beyond its idol-driven spotlight, you’ve probably heard the name HYBE corporation chairman, Bang Si Hyuk, whispered with reverence. He is the man behind BTS and the mind that turned HYBE from a humble startup into a global cultural powerhouse.
But now, the very architect of this empire is being investigated for one of South Korea’s most serious corporate crimes. And if these allegations are proven true, the shock won’t just rattle investors—it could send aftershocks through the entire K-pop industry as we know it.
The Allegations Against HYBE Corporation Chairman Bang Si Hyuk
On May 28, 2025, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit applied for a search and seizure against Bang Si Hyuk, chairman of HYBE Corporation, and others over accusations of fraudulent securities trading tied to HYBE’s 2020 IPO.
At the heart of this investigation lies a 400 billion KRW (nearly $290 million USD) deal involving a private equity fund (PEF) linked to Bang Si Hyuk’s associate—one that may have been secured through deliberate misinformation.
The Scandal of the Great Chairman of HYBE Corporation, Bang Si Hyuk: What Happened?
Back in 2019, chairman Bang Si Hyuk allegedly assured early HYBE corporation shareholders that no IPO was in the pipeline. Based on these claims, several investors sold their shares.
Yet behind the scenes, HYBE had already begun IPO preparations, including contracting EY Hanyoung as its designated auditor—an essential move toward public listing. That contradiction is now being treated as potential grounds for fraud under South Korea’s Capital Markets Act.
Then, in January 2021, Big Hit Entertainment—HYBE’s predecessor—announced an investment of approximately 70 billion KRW in YG Plus, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment.
At the time, an executive identified as Mr. A, who was in charge of Big Hit’s finances, allegedly acquired advance knowledge of this information and purchased YG Plus stocks, making a profit of 240 million KRW through insider trading.
After receiving the case from the Financial Services Commission, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office launched a compulsory investigation to verify Mr. A’s use of undisclosed information.
This case then resulted in another a search and seizure from the prosecution against HYBE.
Now, if the involvement of chairman Bang Si Hyuk in the HYBE corporation scandal is true, the case would massively blow up, becoming more than just a violation of financial protocol. It would represent the very example of deception by the highest profile at top of Korea’s entertainment industry, an industry that thrives on image, loyalty, and trust.
Why This One is Different and Devastating
K-pop has seen scandals before. From dating rumors to contract disputes, the public has weathered controversies involving idols, trainees, and managers.
But this? This isn’t about a reckless tweet or internal power struggle. This is about the very structure of corporate trust.
Since the very beginning, the great Bang PD has been way more than just a music executive. As the father of the megastar BTS and chairman of HYBE Corporation, Bang Si Hyuk sits at the nexus of music, finance, tech, fashion, and IP investment.
After all, we all know that HYBE is no longer a music label. The company is now a multinational publicly listed corporation with massive global stakeholders.
That is why if this scandal is proven true, the idea that HYBE’s IPO was founded on fraudulent terms could destroy confidence not only in the company but also in the broader viability of entertainment-backed stocks in South Korea.
Unlike the other K-pop scandal you know, this case is no longer a one-man fall.
The involvement of Bang Si Hyuk as the very chairman of HYBE corporation will determine whether an entire model of K-pop’s global business expansion can survive when the public starts questioning and distrusting the company’s very own foundation.
Why It Matters Globally: The Ripple Effect on K-pop’s Future
K-pop is no longer a niche subculture. It is a 10+ billion USD global industry with HYBE as one of its most influential architects. Through BTS, TXT, SEVENTEEN, NewJeans, and strategic moves like acquiring Ithaca Holdings (Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande), HYBE became a template for global cultural entrepreneurship.
But if investor trust collapses, K-pop’s expansion model may shift dramatically.
Overseas investment could dry up. Future entertainment IPOs could face stricter scrutiny. Fans, who once supported their favorite groups by buying shares, might start to question whether the companies behind them deserve that loyalty.
This scandal has the power to reshape the psychology of K-pop consumption. No longer just about music or choreography, the fan-company relationship is now tangled in billion-dollar deals—and potential betrayal.
Could This Be a Turning Point in K-pop Corporate History?
If HYBE corporate chairman Bang Si Hyuk is found guilty, he could face life imprisonment under Article 443 of South Korea’s Capital Markets Act.
And this is not just a footnote. If this happens, then it would mark the first time a top K-pop executive is imprisoned for high-level financial misconduct, setting a precedent that reverberates across the industry.
Other companies will be forced to rethink transparency, governance, and how they handle pre-IPO negotiations. And fans, long conditioned to support agencies alongside their idols, may become more critical of corporate decisions.
This could become a defining moment—not just for HYBE, but for how K-pop balances art, business, and integrity in an age where its influence spans continents.
HYBE Corporation Chairman Bang Si Hyuk Scandal: Beyond the Music, a Reckoning
Finally, the investigation into HYBE corporation chairman Bang Si Hyuk is still ongoing. No official charges have been filed. There’s also another
However, we are now clear on this: the scandal has pierced through the polished surface of K-pop’s corporate machine, exposing fault lines that have long been invisible to the casual observer.
If the allegations are proven, we won’t just be witnessing the fall of a chairman. We’ll be witnessing a reckoning—one that forces K-pop to mature beyond its own mythologies and embrace a future where global fame demands global accountability.
The music may go on. But the silence around corporate responsibility? That may finally be breaking.
Now, what do you think about this unexpected scandal involving HYBE corporation chairman Bang Si Hyuk? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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