3 days ago
BTS' New Album Delayed Due To Bang Si Hyuk's Fraud Case? Here's What We Know
BTS members have been in the US to work alongside international artists on their new album.
After three years of waiting, BTS announced that they will be making a comeback to the music scene with a brand-new album. This would be their first new release since the members completed their mandatory military service. Fans have been buzzing with excitement since the seven members of the band, RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook, confirmed the news, sharing that they would be in the United States to work with international artists on their new album. But now a new report suggests that they might have to halt the production of the album.
On Wednesday, August 13, a report by News Tong mentioned that Bang Si Hyuk, the chairman of HYBE, which is the parent company of BTS's agency BigHit Music, rushed back to South Korea on August 11. He was summoned for questioning in the stock fraud case, where he had been accused of engaging in fraudulent and unfair trading.
According to the report, this unexpected trip allegedly caused BTS's album production in the US to come to a standstill. However, no other major media outlet has verified the claim, and it seems unlikely that the group would pause work on their new album for this reason alone.
Why Is HYBE's Chairman Bang Si Hyuk Under Investigation?
Before their IPO in 2020, Bang Si Hyunk and three other top executives deceived minority shareholders by having them sell their HYBE shares to a private equity fund (PEF), which he secretly controlled. Therefore, when the entertainment company eventually filed for an IPO, the chairman and the others benefited from the sales of the shares.
Meanwhile, just days before Bang Si Hyuk returned to South Korea, he addressed the ongoing investigation involving alleged stock manipulation by him. He wrote an email to the employees of his company and assured them that he would fully cooperate with the investigators. 'I feel a deep sense of regret knowing that our members and artists, who should be focused solely on their creative and professional goals, might be suffering because of this situation. I understand how my absence may have contributed to confusion and frustration," a part of his email read, as reported by Forbes.
When Is BTS Releasing Their New Album?
For now, it's clear that BTS is still hard at work on their upcoming album. Just days ago, the septet shared behind-the-scenes glimpses showing them collaborating with Charlie Puth, while leader RM was spotted with Diplo. All seven members recently reunited after Jin wrapped up his first solo tour, RunSeokJin EP, on August 10. So far, fans know only that BTS's brand-new album is set to be released in the first half of 2026, with the exact date yet to be announced.
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