Bang Si Kyuk, the man behind K-pop sensation BTS and the company that started it all for the biggest band in the world, HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), led the newly listed firm founders’ stock value rankings.
As of September end, the South Korean exec had a 31.6% stake in the company, which is worth 3.5 trillion Korean won ($2.5 billion), putting on top of other founders listed over the past five years, according to tracker CEO Score. Bang’s stake alone made for 15.6% of the total stock value of the top 100.
The industry data released on Wednesday indicated the collective stock value of Top 100 founders of post-2020 listed companies had reached nearly 22.5 trillion Korean won. The corporate date research institute’s survey did not include founders who inherited shares or companies from their parents or ones who were listed before 2020.
BTS, HYBE boss Bang Si Hyuk’s net worth explored
Famously recognised as the only billionaire in the South Korean entertainment industry, ‘Hitman Bang’ ranked No 16 on Forbes 2025 “Korea’s 50 Richest” list unveiled in April. At the time, his estimated net worth was $1.9 billion. However, as of October 15, Forbes has revised it to $2.4 billion, making him the 1,610th richest person in the world today. On the flip side, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth as $2.3 billion in July 2025.
Despite consolidating his image as a top industry official, the maverick 53-year-old record producer has been at the centre of contentious headlines pertaining to a stock fraud probe. Earlier this month, K-media new agencies reported that the South Korean billionaire had been banned from leaving the country as police continued its investigation tied to the matter.
Although the news was relayed only recently, local outlet suggested that the travel ban was originally imposed on August 11, following bang’s return to South Korea.
Bang has been accused of denying plans for an initial public offering (IPO), thereby allegedly misleading early investors by prompting them to sell shares to a private equity founded by HYBE execs. The resulting outcome is believed to have reaped in consequential gains after the listing. On top of that, Bang faces allegations of having pocketed about 190 billion won, accounting for about 30% of the sale profit.
As the HYBE chairperson and founder has long denied the allegations, he continues to be the focus of the investigation over alleged violations of the Capital Markets act, according to The Korea Herald.
