Meet Bang Si-hyuk, the mastermind behind BTS and K-pop’s only billionaire: before forming the biggest boy band in the world, Hybe’s founder worked with JYP
- Bang Si-hyuk came from humble roots as a composer in the 90s, landing his first gig with JYP Entertainment, working with g.o.d., Rain and Wonder Girls
- Hybe nearly went bankrupt before BTS – it’s since been listed on the stock exchange and acquired Ithaca Holdings, which manages Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
BTS has just rocked the Grammys, shook Las Vegas with its Permission to Dance run, and broke its own Guinness World Record claiming the most Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards won by a music group.
The group’s huge comeback, following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions across the globe, has the boys making big waves once again. The supergroup shows no signs of slowing down and neither does its management, Hybe – formerly Big Hit Entertainment – established by Bang Si-hyuk, the genius behind the group.
Bang has steadily grown his music empire as he and Hybe’s artists continue to take over the scene. We take a look at the billionaire’s earlier days and how he made it to the top.
Life before BTS fame
Bang has been passionate about music from a young age and debuted as a composer and songwriter in the mid-90s. He joined a local competition, called the Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest, and won third place.
His demo CD fell into the hands of Park Jin-young, more famously known as JYP, founder of JYP Entertainment. In a report on The Joong Ang Korea, Park is quoted in a translation describing Bang’s work: “It’s like sophisticated music, like overseas music.”
The two began to make music together. Their song for first-generation group g.o.d., Friday Night, became a hit, which earned them a reputation as hit composers. It also gave Bang the nickname “Hitman Bang”. Under JYP Entertainment, Bang continued to compose music for K-pop superstar Rain, the Wonder Girls and more.