South Korean police have referred HYBE founder and chairman Bang Si-hyuk to prosecutors over suspected fraudulent trading linked to the company's 2020 IPO, prompting a fierce debate among BTS fans over whether the K-pop executive is facing legitimate accountability or disproportionate scrutiny.
According to reports, police allege Bang and associates misled shareholders in 2019 about plans for a public listing before shares were sold to a private-equity vehicle linked to him.