South Korean Police Pursue Arrest of Hybe Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk Over Alleged Investor Fraud

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:58:00 +0200

South Korean police have requested an arrest warrant for Bang Si-Hyuk, the billionaire founder and chairman of Hybe, the entertainment company behind global K-pop sensation BTS. Authorities allege that Bang engaged in an investor fraud scheme that generated more than $100 million in illicit gains. According to investigators, the case centers on events in 2019, when Bang reportedly told investors that Hybe had no plans to go public. Based on this information, investors sold their shares to a private equity fund. However, the company later proceeded with an initial public offering (IPO), and police suspect that Bang had a side agreement with the fund that entitled him to a significant portion—around 30%—of post-IPO stock sale profits, potentially worth about $136 million.

Bang has been under a travel ban since August as the investigation has progressed. His legal team has stated that he has cooperated fully with authorities and expressed regret over the move to seek his arrest, while ma