Investigation Launched Against HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk for Alleged Misconduct in Profit Sharing

Investigation Launched Against HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk for Alleged Misconduct in Profit Sharing

Investigation Into Bang Si Hyuk: Allegations of Misconduct in HYBE IPO

Bang Si Hyuk, the founder of HYBE, is currently under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in misconduct related to the company’s public offering in 2020. Reports indicate that he may have benefitted significantly—amounting to billions of won—by negotiating favorable deals with three major shareholders.

The Financial Implications of the IPO

A report by The Korea Economic Daily highlights that Bang managed to secure approximately 400 billion won, or around $287 million USD, from HYBE’s initial public offering (IPO). This gain was allegedly facilitated through agreements with local private equity funds.

Key Players Involved

The private equity firms implicated in these agreements include:

  • STIC Investments Inc.
  • Estone Equity Partners
  • New Main Equity

According to the allegations, these funds, which had acquired shares in HYBE following the company’s investments in 2018 and 2019, agreed to allocate 30 percent of their profits back to Bang Si Hyuk as a condition of an IPO.

Shareholdings and Agreements

STIC Investments reportedly held a 12.2 percent stake in HYBE, which was operating under the name Big Hit Entertainment at the time. Meanwhile, Estone and New Main Equity collectively accounted for an 11.4 percent stake. There were stipulated conditions stating that should HYBE not go public by a specific deadline, Bang Si Hyuk would need to repurchase their stakes and accrued interests.

Market Analyst Perspectives

Market analysts have voiced concerns regarding the unusual nature of these agreements, suggesting that it is generally atypical for a primary shareholder to profit from such arrangements before a company officially lists its shares. This aspect raises questions about the integrity of the negotiation processes involved.

Regulatory Response

Officials from the Financial Supervisory Service have noted that no documentation referencing the “Bang Si Hyuk-PEFs”shareholder agreement exists prior to HYBE’s IPO. This lack of records could complicate the ongoing investigation.

As developments unfold, the implications of these allegations could have significant repercussions for Bang Si Hyuk and HYBE, highlighting the need for transparent practices within the investment community.

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