So here’s the tea: HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si‑hyuk (yes, that one), has finally sent an internal apology email amid mounting fraud allegations tied to the company’s IPO. In it, he casually expresses regret for all the “confusion and concern” his situation has stirred among staff, artists, and partners.
In classic executive fashion, he lists intriguing reasons for his prolonged absence overseas—something about music projects and business expansion—before pledging to pack his bags and return to Korea to “fully cooperate” with the investigation . He even admits he may’ve wandered into arrogance territory, mistaking confidence for humility, and now he’s knee-deep in self-reflection (because nothing screams humility like a self-assessment in a crisis).
To top it off, public statements from Bloomberg affiliate Forbes confirm this is no rumor mill—the apology is very real and very leaked . Meanwhile, news outlets like Times of India and Yonhap confirm he was referring to alleged insider trading and tax evasion claims tied to pre-IPO dealings.
In plain terms: this isn’t a heartfelt letter calling for world peace. It’s a meticulously worded mea culpa from the top—designed to reassure employees that their creative energies can stay in the studio, not stuck in courtrooms. Executive drama? Oh, it’s real—and now it’s email material.
Let this serve as your friendly reminder that the K‑pop world isn’t all glitter and choreography; sometimes it’s boardroom battles and crisis management.
