photos surfaced of Chairman Bang Si-hyuk with a controversial internet broadcaster. (Photo: a screenshot from ‘I am WalKing’ Youtube channel) SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – Investors in HYBE are voicing growing frustration and disappointment, a sentiment increasingly evident in recent discussions on online stock forums.
The entertainment powerhouse behind global sensation BTS has seen its stock price nearly halve since peaking at 312,500 won in June last year, with recent scandals exacerbating the decline. HYBE’s troubles deepened when BTS member Suga was caught driving an electric scooter under the influence during his alternative military service, and photos surfaced of Chairman Bang Si-hyuk with a controversial internet broadcaster. These incidents have sparked outrage among shareholders and raised questions about crisis management at South Korea’s leading entertainment agency.
On August 12, HYBE’s stock closed at 172,100 won, down 0.06% from the previous trading day. The share price had plummeted to 170,100 won on August 5, dubbed “Black Monday” by investors, before briefly recovering to 189,100 won following the company’s earnings report.
However, successive scandals have erased most of these gains. Shareholders’ ire is directed primarily at the management, including Bang. HYBE faced accusations of attempting to downplay Suga’s incident by referring to his vehicle as an “electric kickboard” rather than an “electric scooter” in an apology s.