A cybercriminal successfully infiltrated the financial accounts of BTS member Jungkook, stealing 33,500 shares of HYBE, the entertainment company behind BTS, worth approximately 8.4 billion won ($5.7 million).
The first breach took place in January 2024 while Jungkook was serving in the military, making it one of the largest financial crimes targeting a celebrity in recent years.
The hacker reportedly gained unauthorized access to Jungkook’s sensitive financial information, including banking credentials and personal identification numbers, This allowed them to initiate an illicit stock transfer to undisclosed accounts, Investigators suspect that the perpetrator may have been someone with prior knowledge of Jungkook’s finances or security vulnerabilities.
Although most of the stolen shares were transferred to another account, the hacker managed to sell 500 shares to a third-party buyer before the fraud was discovered, This sale triggered alarm bells, prompting an urgent investigation into the transactions.
Once the fraud was uncovered, Jungkook’s agency, BigHit Music, took swift action by freezing the affected accounts to prevent further unauthorized transactions, By March 2024, Jungkook had filed a lawsuit against the third-party purchaser of the stolen shares, arguing that the sale was conducted without his knowledge or consent.
After months of legal proceedings, the Seoul Western District Court ruled in favor of Jungkook in February 2025, The court determined that there was no valid stock transfer agreement, confirming that the singer had fallen victim to identity theft, As a result, the buyer was ordered to return the 500 shares.
This high-profile case has raised serious concerns regarding financial security for celebrities and high-net-worth individuals in South Korea, Industry experts speculate that Jungkook’s accounts may have been targeted due to the significant value of HYBE shares, which have fluctuated greatly due to BTS’s influence in the entertainment and stock markets.
BigHit Music has since implemented enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect its artists’ personal and financial data, The agency released a statement condemning the breach and affirming its commitment to safeguarding the privacy and security of all BTS members.
Authorities are still investigating the identity of the hacker, but as of now, no suspects have been publicly named, Given the sophistication of the attack, experts believe the perpetrator may have had inside knowledge or access to confidential financial systems.
Jungkook, who began his mandatory military service on December 12, 2023, remains unaware of many developments due to restrictions on communication during training, He is expected to complete his service on June 11, 2025, Despite this legal setback, fans remain supportive, and HYBE’s stock prices have not seen a major decline following the incident.
As the case continues to unfold, Jungkook’s legal team is working to ensure full recovery of his assets while law enforcement pursues the individual responsible for the security breach.
