HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun steps down hours after BTS reveal full-group comeback
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the update came during an internal call with employees on July 1, where Braun, dialling in from vacation, confirmed that the shift had been 'in the works for quite some time.' For years, Braun has been a controversial figure in the music industry. His ties with Korea's biggest K-pop agency have also drawn heat from Korean netizens and BTS fans, with some even calling for boycotts over political and artist-related issues, especially considering his rocky history with artists like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, among others.
Also read: BTS' Suga warns 'the market's not the same' as group confirms 2026 comeback and tour
In 2021, HYBE CEO and chairman Bang Si Hyuk announced his collaboration with Braun after the latter's Ithaca Holdings LLC was sold to the company. It was a strategic move by the Korean music mogul to expand overseas activities and debut new groups aimed at the American market, like the girl group Katseye, with whom Braun is still very much involved. 'I'm not going anywhere,' Braun reportedly told staff. 'I'll still help guide the artists.'
However, with this shift, his management era is officially over, closing a big chapter of his career, one that first kicked off with names like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and J Balvin. HYBE is now going forward with Isaac Lee, former chairman of HYBE Latin America, as the new CEO of HYBE America. Lee will be in charge of handling U.S. operations, including Big Machine Label Group and Quality Control Media Holdings.
Also read: BTS' 2026 announcement just made HYBE's global staff 6.21 million KRW richer, here's how
Meanwhile, Braun hasn't said a word about what his next career move is, only hinting that he's looking at 'new ventures'. Announcing his new role as one of the agency's biggest shareholders, he said, 'Being a part of HYBE and witnessing its remarkable growth has been one of the most inspiring chapters of my professional journey. Chairman Bang is a true visionary and a musical genius. What he has built with HYBE is unparalleled. I am incredibly proud of our collective accomplishments and look forward to supporting Chairman Bang and CEO Jason Jaesang Lee in their continued success as I step into what's next.'
Meanwhile, Bang also released a statement praising Braun and said, 'Scooter has been an extraordinary partner, a visionary executive, and a true catalyst for cultural exchange. His contributions have been vital in establishing our ambitious presence in the U.S. market. I am deeply grateful for his leadership, his astute instincts and his unwavering passion for artists. We wish him immense success in his exciting next chapter and look forward to continuing our partnership in executing HYBE's global vision.' Scooter Braun recently made headlines for his split with Bieber after reports emerged about a $20 million financial fallout due to the cancelled Justice tour. While fans may wonder if his exit is tied to controversies, for now, he is still in the mix, just no longer calling the shots as CEO.
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