A to Z of Today’s Market: Is Arrest Warrant for HYBE’s Bang Si-hyuk Likely to Be Rejected? Insights from First Prime Research and Alpha Economy Leaders #HYBE #EntertainmentStocks #MarketUpdate10

South Korean police have filed for an arrest warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman and founder of K-pop agency HYBE, over allegations of unfair stock trading tied to the company’s 2020 initial public offering.

The request was made by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s financial crimes investigation division on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, according to multiple news outlets including Yonhap News Agency and the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Police allege that Bang misled investors in 2019 by stating there were no plans for a public stock listing, which prompted shareholders to sell their shares to a specific private equity fund. Shortly afterward, HYBE proceeded with its initial public offering in 2020.

Authorities suspect Bang entered into an undisclosed agreement with the private equity fund, through which he allegedly received 30 percent of the capital gains when the fund sold its shares after the IPO. Here’s said to have amounted to illicit profits of nearly 200 billion won, equivalent to approximately $135.9 million.

The Capital Markets Act prohibits financial gain through false statements or deceptive schemes related to financial investment products, including unlisted shares. Violations involving profits exceeding 5 billion won (about $3.4 million) can result in imprisonment of five years or more, or life imprisonment in severe cases.

Bang has been under investigation since September 2025, when he was first questioned by police. He has since been summoned for questioning five times and remains subject to a travel ban. Despite the ongoing investigation, Bang has maintained that he complied with all relevant laws and regulations during the IPO process and denies any wrongdoing.

Police have emphasized their commitment to taking a firm stand against market manipulation crimes. The U.S. Embassy in South Korea has reportedly requested cooperation regarding Bang’s travel to the United States, citing BTS’s world tour as the context for the request.