South Korean police have requested an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE, over allegations of fraudulent trading linked to the company’s stock market listing.
The request, confirmed on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, marks a significant escalation in a months-long investigation into HYBE’s initial public offering in 2020.
Authorities allege that in 2019, Bang misled early investors by indicating there were no immediate plans for a public listing while IPO preparations were already underway.
Investigators further claim he financially benefited from the process, with estimated gains of about 200 billion won.
Bang has denied the allegations. Through his legal team, he maintains that his actions were lawful, insists he has fully cooperated with investigators, and expressed regret over the move to seek his arrest while pledging continued engagement with legal proceedings.
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The investigation has included searches of company offices, financial scrutiny, and restrictions on Bang’s movement, including a travel ban imposed since August 2025.
HYBE, formerly Big Hit Entertainment, was listed on South Korea’s KOSPI index in October 2020.
Its rapid rise to global prominence was driven largely by BTS, whose international success transformed the company into a leading force in the K-pop industry.
The development comes at a sensitive moment for HYBE, as BTS has resumed group activities and embarked on a global tour expected to generate substantial revenue.
Under South Korean law, convictions involving illicit gains above five billion won carry penalties ranging from lengthy prison terms to life imprisonment.
Bang, widely credited as a central architect of BTS’s global success and HYBE’s expansion into a multinational entertainment powerhouse, now faces a legal challenge with potential implications for the company’s leadership and reputation.