Bang Si-Hyuk Fraud IPO Case: Probe Intensifies Against BTS Creator Over 136 Million Investor Fraud
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated that it had urged prosecutors to request a court order seeking a formal warrant in his name.
In recent events, the South Korean music producer and the chairman of the K-pop agency HYBE, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest for alleged investment fraud. Famously known for creating BTS, the police have gone to the court seeking an arrest warrant against him after allegations of illegal earnings surfaced against him. They also claimed that he illegally obtained over USD 100 million through an investor fraud scheme.
About BTS Creator Bang Si-hyuk
On Tuesday, April 21, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated that it had urged prosecutors to request a court order seeking a formal warrant in his name. For the uninitiated, there have been no statements from HYBE representatives yet. Investigation against Bang Si-hyuk has been going on since November over claims of him misleading investors in 2019 by assuring that HYBE was not going public anytime soon.
This prompted them to sell their shares to a private equity fund ahead of the company’s eventual IPO. The police suggest that the fund might have paid him around 200 billion won, which is USD 136 million, through a side agreement that gave him 30 % of the profits from post-IPO stock sales. Si-hyuk is the founder of Big Hit Entertainment since 2005, which eventually grew to a conglomerate HYBE Corporation. Further information is awaited on the same.
Also Read: Did Heeseung Leave ENHYPEN To Cover Up Bang Si Hyuk’s Alleged Fraud Probe? Fans Question Timing
His legal troubles started when the group was about to start their comeback tour with their new album ARIRANG. This marked their return to the stage after a four-year break. They recently wrapped their concert in Tokyo, Japan, on April 18 and are now headed to North America to perform in top cities like Tampa, El Paso, Stanford, and Las Vegas in May.
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Also Read: Police Deny Delays In Investigation As Bang Si Hyuk’s Share Trading Case Nears Closure
First Published: April 21, 2026 1:02 PMFAQs
When Was BTS Founded?
BTS was formed in 2010 by Bang Si-hyuk, who intended to make an idol group with members free to express their individualities rather than follow a certain image.
How Many Members Do BTS Have?
K-pop group BTS has 7 members named RM, Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jungkook, V, and J-Hope.
