BTS military hiatus linked to HYBE insider trading case, staff from Source Music, BigHit, Belift Lab get suspended sentences
Three employees from HYBE and its affiliated labels have been sentenced for using confidential information about the group's hiatus to sell company stock before the news became public.
On July 22 KST, the Seoul Southern District Court's Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Kim Sang Yeon) handed down suspended prison sentences to three individuals who sold HYBE shares just before BTS revealed their break from group activities due to enlistment, beginning with the eldest member, Jin.
HYBE insider trading case
Among those convicted was a Source Music employee, Mr. Kim (37), who received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a hefty fine of 231 million KRW (approx. $167,000 USD). Former BigHit Music employee Mr. Lee (33) and former Belift Lab staffer Mr. Kim (41) were each sentenced to six months in prison, also suspended for two years, with fines of 51 million and 65 million KRW, respectively.
The insider trades occurred just ahead of BTS' bombshell June 14, 2022 announcement video, where the group confirmed a temporary hiatus as all seven members prepared to serve in South Korea's military. Following the video, HYBE's stock plummeted nearly 25% — its worst single-day fall on record.
The court's verdict
The court didn't mince words: "In the entertainment industry, an artist's group activity directly impacts company revenue. The suspension of BTS's activities was highly sensitive, material information."
The judge added, "This crime gravely undermines the integrity of capital markets and warrants strong condemnation from society."
About BTS
The group, upon reuniting, has traveled to the USA for a two-month boot camp to regroup and begin working on their upcoming album. According to the members, the new album is slated for release in spring 2026.
Currently, all members - except Jin, who is on his solo world tour - are together in Los Angeles. Rumours are also circulating that Jungkook may soon embark on a solo tour of his own.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Lilo & Stitch Gets OTT Release Date: Know Where and How To Stream Disney's Live-Action Film
Lilo & Stitch has been one of the most loved films of the year. While the movie made millions at the box office, Disney has announced the OTT release date for the cinematic piece. From July 22, the audience will be able to watch the live-action film in the comfort of their homes. The movie will be available to stream on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV+. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Disney movie collected over USD 1 Billion, outperforming Tom Cruise ' Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning in theaters. The movie hit the big screens on May 23 and went on to overshadow Snow White's poor performance at the box office for Disney. What is Lilo & Stitch about? Lilo & Stitch is the remake of the 2002 animated film of the same name. The story of the movie follows a blue alien, Stitch, who crashes onto the Earth and gets adopted by a young girl named Lilo. The former is taken care of by the Hawaiian native and her elder sister, Nani. As for the plot, the official synopsis of the film reads, 'Stitch, an extraterrestrial entity, comes to planet Earth after he escapes his prison, where he tries to impersonate a dog. Things take a turn when Lilo adopts him from an animal shelter.' Sharing the insight of the film, the director, previously in conversation with Disney, revealed, 'We tried to adapt it in a way that paid loving tribute to the original but wasn't a one-to-one literal translation.' He further added, 'We were very clear-eyed about the fact that animation and live action are two completely different mediums; there are things you can do well in live action that you can't in animation, and vice versa.' Meanwhile, for the fans who want to stream Lilo & Stitch on OTT, they can also pre-purchase the movie and enjoy the cinematic piece on either streaming platforms or YouTube.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot: New Promo Introduces Fans To Mihir And Tulsi's Children As New Characters
New Delhi: The highly anticipated revival of Ekta Kapoor's iconic television series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is set to premiere on Star Plus on July 29, 2025. While the OG lead cast members Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay reprised their roles of Tulsi Virani and Mihir, there are some new additions, too. What's Happening After the first look and announcement video of Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot made quite the buzz, the makers have now shared a BTS video where the old and new members of the hit show are seen having a fun time on set. Hiten Tejwani as Karan Virani and Gauri Pradhan as Nandini Virani welcome viewers to some BTS moments with the OG cast of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. They also reveal that some new cast members will be joining as the new generation Viranis. The new video introduces us to three key characters - Rohit Suchanti, who will be essaying the character of Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay's onscreen son Angad Virani. Their other son is Hrithik Virani, which will be portrayed by Aman Gandhi. Mihir and Tulsi also have a lovely daughter named Pari Virani, Shagun Sharma will playing the role. How Fans Reacted Fans flooded the comments section with excited remarks. One fan wrote, "New Generation, New Cast, But With Old Cast, That's Only Possible In KSBKBT 2." Some were thrilled to witness Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan's onscreen love story again. One such comment read, "Thanks for bringing Hiten-Gauri together.... best couple.... want to see their romance in the show." Another fan said, "I HOPE SOON EKTA KAPOOR WILL SHOW US KARAN NANDINI MODERN DAY ROMANCE AND LOVE STORY." One more comment said, "Excited to hiten-gauri's magnetic chemistry as karan-nandini again @hitentejwani @gpradhan." The series is produced by Ekta Kapoor and her mother, Shobha Kapoor, under the banner of Balaji Telefilms. In A Nutshell In a new promo video featuring BTS glimpses from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot, fans meet new characters who will be seen as part of the new-generation Virani family. Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan welcomed viewers to get a peek into all the fun being had on set.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Osaka Ojo Gang wins World of Street Woman Fighter Season 3 over AG Squad; fans cry nepotism as TWICE Momo's sister takes the crown
On July 22, 2025, Osaka Ojo Gang took home the championship title on World of Street Woman Fighter (WSWF) Season 3, beating out fierce competitors AG Squad and Motiv in a live finale aired by Mnet. Exuding stage-commanding energy, the Japanese crew captivated the judges and studio audience alike with their powerful final performance. The crew's artistry and charisma earned widespread praise as many highlighted how far they had come over the course of the season. For many viewers, their finale routine sealed the deal, but online, the debate was just beginning, with many alleging that AJ Squad was the real winner. Fans rally behind AG Squad The moment Osaka Ojo Gang was announced as the winner, social media users were left stunned, as many felt that AG Squad, who had consistently delivered technically flawless and emotionally gripping performances, had clearly earned the top spot. One fan tweeted, 'Ag squad really carried the whole season just to end up like Jam Republic…' Y'all not tired of snubbing the real winners?" ag squad really carried the whole season just to end up like jam republic… y'all not tired of snubbing the real winners 😭 "Honestly, I didn't need the AG squad to win 1st place because their superior performances and sheer work ethic during the show speak for themselves. They're a winner in my eyes, and that's all that matters," another wrote. honestly I didn't need ag squad to win 1st place because their superior performances and sheer work ethic during the show speak for themselves, they're a winner in my eyes and that's all that matters! 🫶🫶 #WSWF #WSWF3 Some fans even speculated that the decision leaned into Mnet's push for global appeal and that Osaka Ojo Gang's international popularity might've tipped the scales. The sentiment wasn't universal, but it was loud and persistent. Why are fans crying nepotism? Adding to the controversy, some netizens are now crying nepotism, pointing to the fact that TWICE member Momo's older sister, Hana Hirai, is part of the Osaka Ojo Gang. The connection drew even more attention when several TWICE members, including Momo, Jihyo, Jeongyeon, Nayeon, and Sana, showed up at the WSWF finale in support of the crew. While their presence lit up the crowd and added star power to the event, some fans are questioning whether the group's K-pop ties may have influenced the outcome. ' "Wdym a crew who wins almost all missions got lost to a crew who never wins even one? Oh, I hate nepotism. If it's SWF 2, I get it since Bebe wins on some missions too, but this? Meh," said one user. wdym a crew who wins almost all missions got lost to a crew who never win even one 🙂↔️ oh i hate nepotism. if swf 2 i get it since bebe wins on some missions too, but this? meh TWICE members and Daehwi spotted on the finale of WSWF. #WSWF AG Squad vs. Osaka Ojo Gang: two very different journeys AG Squad had one of the strongest track records this season. They came out on top in several missions, including the demanding Mega Crew challenge, and consistently impressed judges with clean execution and detailed choreography. Their elimination battle earlier in the show showcased just how fierce and prepared they were, making it all the more shocking when they didn't walk away with the title. Osaka Ojo Gang, on the other hand, gained momentum later in the season. Their Dance Film Mission performance—which racked up over 2.5 million views and 330,000 likes—helped cement their status as crowd pullers. Led by Kyoka and Ibuki, their finale routine leaned more into stage presence and emotional impact than technical perfection. That choice clearly worked for the judges, who emphasised storytelling and transformation in their final evaluations. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
