On July 24, HYBE headquarters was raided by police in a fresh development tied to chairman Bang Si Hyuk’s alleged illegal IPO trading case. As per The Korea Herald, the raid, led by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is part of an ongoing probe into whether Bang misled investors ahead of BTS’s meteoric rise, and raked in illegal profits worth hundreds of billions of won before HYBE went public on listing. If proven true, the music producer could be looking at jail time. But fans already have one major concern, will this mess derail BTS’s comeback, slated for next year?
How will HYBE’s legal issue impact BTS’ comeback
HYBE’s stock took a plunge, dropping around 5 to 6 percent in early July, as Bang Si Hyuk came under fire over allegations the company still insists are baseless. Meanwhile, every BTS member is a major HYBE shareholder. As per Korea CXO Research Institute, each of the seven, Jimin, J-Hope, V, Jungkook, Suga, RM, and Jin, owns HYBE stock worth over 10 billion won (that’s $7.8 million). Bang, meanwhile, sits on roughly 31.8% of the company, valued at over $2.5 billion. BTS, fresh off 18 months of military service, announced their big spring comeback for next year. They’re in the US right now, working on new music. Financial regulators have already sent Bang’s case to prosecution, the most serious escalation so far. If Bang ends up behind bars, HYBE will face a big leadership void. The man who built it all from scratch with BTS at the center, gone. That’s bound to rattle the group’s comeback plans and leave artists, staff, and fans facing uncertainty over the next leader.
Some of the potential impacts could be
Delayed comeback / Lack of promotion: One major blow could be the delay in BTS’ release. With the company’s focus on managing the crisis and handling the negative press, the group’s activities might not get the push or time they deserve. Promotion could take a backseat. Comeback timing now hinges on how quickly HYBE can control the damage and regain stability, all while dealing with the legal storm.
Sponsorships and Endorsements: Sure, BTS is a brand in itself and can easily run the show without leaning on the agency’s image. But still, advertisers love clean slates. Even if BTS remains untouched, other HYBE acts like SEVENTEEN, NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, and ENHYPEN could see sponsorships paused or dropped. And that affects everyone’s numbers and revenues, including BTS when grouped under the same banner.
Public Perception and Fan Sentiment: ARMY is known for loyalty, but this isn’t the first time the fandom’s been split. Some have long been calling for BTS to cut ties with Bang and the slew of controversies he has surrounded himself with since last year. While many can separate the boys from the business, others might feel burned. Maybe it’s time HYBE stops dodging and starts being transparent with fans. HYBE’s already knee-deep in the ADOR-NewJeans-Min Hee Jin feud. And while BTS’s brand power is bigger than such controversies, the association might still leave a few dents.
