South Korean police seek to arrest K-pop mogul behind BTS
[April 21, 2026]
By KIM TONG-HYUNG
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean police said Tuesday they are
seeking to arrest music mogul Bang Si-Hyuk, chairman of the agency
behind K-pop supergroup BTS, as they expand an investigation into
allegations that he illegally gained more than $100 million in an
investor fraud scheme.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed that it has asked
prosecutors to request a court warrant for arresting Bang, the
billionaire founder and chairman of Hybe.
Bang’s legal team in a statement to The Associated Press did not
directly address the accusations but expressed regret that police were
seeking his arrest “despite our full and consistent cooperation with the
investigation over an extended period.”
“We will continue to cooperate with all legal procedures and make every
effort to clearly explain our position,” the statement said.
Bang, who has been barred from leaving the country since August, is
being investigated over allegations that he misled investors in 2019 by
telling them Hybe had no plans to go public, prompting them to sell
their shares to a private equity fund, before the company proceeded with
an initial public offering. Police believe that the fund may have paid
Bang around 200 billion won ($136 million) in a side deal that promised
him 30% of post-IPO stock sale profits.
Hybe officials say Bang denies any wrongdoing.
Bang’s legal troubles are a major public relations setback for Hybe,
coming as BTS embarks on a global tour after a nearly four-year hiatus
as its seven members served their mandatory military service, which is
required for most able-bodied South Korean males.
BTS performed in front of tens of thousands of international fans at a
free comeback concert in Seoul last month and have also held several
concerts in South Korea’s Goyang city and Tokyo. The group is to kick
off a series of U.S. events with a concert in Tampa, Florida, later this
month.
[to top of second column]
|
Bang Si-Hyuk, a chairman of Hybe answers reporters' question upon
his arrival at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Seoul, South
Korea, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (Kim Keun-soo/Newsis via AP)
 Bang, a music executive and producer
who founded Hybe as Big Hit Entertainment in 2005, is widely seen as
one of the most powerful figures in K-pop and has sought to
capitalize on the global success of BTS to build his company into an
international pop powerhouse.
In 2021, Hybe spent about $1 billion to purchase Scooter Braun’s
Ithaca Holdings, securing the management rights to artists like
Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.
While Hybe’s roster includes some of K-pop’s biggest acts, such as
Seventeen, Le Sserafim and Katseye in addition to BTS, the company
has seen turmoil in recent years, including a highly public fallout
between Bang and star producer Min Hee-Jin over the popular girl
group NewJeans.
The rift erupted in 2024 when Hybe attempted to remove Min as CEO of
Ador, the subsidiary managing NewJeans, while accusing her of
illegally attempting to take control of that company. Min, in turn,
accused Bang of hostile treatment and of undermining NewJeans in
favor of other groups, as the dispute moved into courts. Members of
NewJeans, who have described Min as a mentor, tried to leave the
label following her ouster, but a court last year ruled they must
honor their contract through 2029.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
