What’s More Important Than Staying Out of Jail?
Bang Sihyuk has finally broken his silence. In a heartfelt and reflective message to all HYBE employees, he addressed the growing cloud of controversies surrounding him and the company. He apologized for the distress it’s caused, reaffirmed the values HYBE was built on, and, most importantly, confirmed he’s returning to South Korea to cooperate with authorities.
While I understand that legal investigations are complex and that he likely can’t say much publicly, it’s hard to ignore what his statement doesn’t say. Namely: why it took this long, and why he was still in the U.S. in the first place.
From my perspective, there is absolutely nothing he could be doing in America that is more important than returning to Korea and clearing up any discrepancies. Especially when serious legal allegations are involved. If it were me, I wouldn’t take any chances. And if we’re being honest, I don’t think I, or most people, would even be given that choice.
Corporations Are Supposed to Be Built to Function Without You
Bang said he had spent recent years overseas for company business, but that now he’s prioritizing cooperation with Korean authorities. Fair enough. Still, I can’t think of a single thing a chairman should be doing personally that can’t be delegated. Especially at a multinational corporation like HYBE.
That’s the whole point of building strong teams and sustainable systems. If the business can’t function without you, then it’s not a scalable company. It’s a bottleneck. And that’s a leadership issue.
What makes this worse is that Bang’s extended absence created a vacuum. Artists, employees, and the public were left with silence while rumors swirled. In his letter, Bang admitted he regrets not responding more swiftly or thoroughly, and I believe that. Delays like that don’t just “happen.” They reflect priorities.
The Uneven Reality of Accountability
What also stands out to me is how different the treatment would be if this were someone else. From the perspective of a person of color living in the U.S., it’s hard not to notice the disparity. Many of us wouldn’t be allowed to sit overseas while authorities back home were investigating us. We’d be forced to return, no matter how busy we claimed to be.
The fact that Bang had the option to stay abroad, delay a response, and carry on with “important business” says a lot about how high-profile people are shielded by their status. This isn’t just a HYBE problem. It’s a systemic one.
Accountability, in practice, is often determined by privilege.
A Moment of Reflection. What Comes Next?
To Bang’s credit, the message wasn’t just damage control. He showed self-awareness, acknowledging that his confidence may have come off as arrogance, and that he needs to reflect on how he’s handled things as HYBE grew. He also reiterated his commitment to making sure his personal issues don’t interfere with HYBE’s creative output.
That’s all good to hear. But promises are easy to make. What matters now is action. Going back to Korea is a necessary first step. Staying there, cooperating fully, and truly separating himself from any distractions to the company… that’s the real test.
Bang’s statement shows he understands the seriousness of the moment. Let’s not forget: understanding and accountability are two different things. What matters now isn’t what he says. It’s what he does.
Nothing he’s doing in the U.S. is worth risking jail time. For the sake of the company he built, and the people who still believe in it, I hope he stays in Korea until the truth comes out.
In the end, integrity isn’t proven by staying busy. It’s proven by showing up when it counts.
