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Police seek arrest warrant for Hybe founder Bang Si-hyuk over 2019 investor fraud allegations
South Korean police have asked prosecutors to seek a court warrant to arrest Bang Si-hyuk on charges related to allegedly fraudulent trading tied to a 2019 misrepresentation of Hybe's listing plans. The case involves raids, asset freezes, and travel bans as investigations continue, years after Hybe’s public listing and BTS’s rise to global fame. BTS’s comeback tour and Hybe’s stock performance are also highlighted in the broader context.
Why It Matters
The case touches on investor protection and regulatory enforcement in Korea's stock market and could have wide implications for Hybe, BTS, and the broader K-pop industry if convictions occur.
Timeline
5 Events
April 21, 2026: Police seek arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk
April 21, 2026
South Korean police asked prosecutors to request a court warrant to arrest Bang Si-hyuk on charges of fraudulent trading connected to the 2019 investor deception. The investigation has involved raids on Hybe headquarters, asset freezes, and an international travel ban since August; Bang denies wrongdoing.
January 2026: BTS world tour announced, boosting Hybe shares
January 2026
BTS announced their comeback world tour, with industry observers noting the tour could bring substantial revenue; Hybe shares rose to a four-year high following the announcement and added to the company’s market value.
December 2024: Regulator launches probe into pre-IPO profit-sharing
December 2024
South Korea's financial regulator launched an investigation in December 2024 into allegations that Bang entered into profit-sharing agreements with private equity funds ahead of Hybe's market debut, without proper public disclosure.
October 2020: Hybe debuts on Kospi
October 2020
Hybe debuted on South Korea's Kospi bourse in October 2020, marking its public listing.
2019: Allegations of misleading investors about Hybe IPO
2019
Police allege that in 2019 Bang Si-hyuk deceived existing investors and venture capital firms by implying there were no plans for Hybe's public listing while secretly preparing for one, and that he pocketed about 200 billion won (roughly $136 million) from illicit proceeds when the private equity fund sold its stake after Hybe went public.