最高无期！韩国最大娱乐公司掌门深陷IPO欺诈风波

Core Viewpoint - The founder of HYBE, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing a criminal investigation by South Korean prosecutors for allegedly deceiving investors prior to the company's IPO in 2020 [1][5]. Group 1: Background and Company Overview - HYBE is the highest-valued entertainment company in South Korea, with a market capitalization of 11.1 trillion KRW (approximately 57.2 billion RMB), surpassing the combined value of the other three major entertainment companies in Korea by 4 trillion KRW [4]. - The case has garnered significant attention due to the scale of the alleged securities fraud [5]. Group 2: Allegations and Financial Implications - Bang Si-hyuk is accused of misleading investors, including venture capital firms, in 2019 by suggesting that HYBE had no plans for an IPO, which led them to sell shares to a special purpose company set up by HYBE executives [5][6]. - While investors sold their shares, HYBE was preparing for its IPO, and the special purpose company later sold its shares, allowing Bang Si-hyuk to earn approximately 190 billion KRW (around 980 million RMB) from the transaction [6]. - The agreement regarding profit-sharing was not disclosed during the IPO process, which constitutes a violation of disclosure regulations [6]. Group 3: Legal Consequences and Regulatory Response - According to Article 443 of the Capital Markets Act in South Korea, if illegal gains exceed 5 billion KRW (approximately 26 million RMB), the offender could face at least 5 years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment for higher amounts [7]. - The South Korean financial regulatory agency has stated its intention to cooperate fully with the prosecutor's investigation and to thoroughly examine the allegations [7]. - HYBE expressed regret over the financial regulator's decision and stated its commitment to clarifying the situation during the upcoming investigation to restore trust among stakeholders [7].