Bang Si-hyuk, widely known by his professional name "Hitman" Bang, is a highly accomplished South Korean lyricist, composer, producer, and record executive. He gained immense recognition as the founder of Big Hit Music, now known as Big Hit Entertainment, and Hybe Corporation, where he currently serves as the chairman. With an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion as of July 2021, Bang has earned his place among the fifty wealthiest individuals in South Korea, as recognized by Forbes Asia. His exceptional success sets him apart as the sole billionaire within the South Korean entertainment industry, reflecting his significant contributions and groundbreaking achievements in the field. His entrepreneurial ventures and creative prowess have propelled him to great heights, solidifying his prominent position in the global music landscape.
Bang Si-hyuk is a renowned South-Korean songwriter, lyricist, composer, producer, and music executive. He gained fame as the founder of Big Hit Music and Hybe Corporation, serving as chairman. Known as Hitman Bang, he entered the industry in the 1990s and co-created music with Park Jin Young before starting his own company. He is recognized as one of South Korea's wealthiest individuals and the only billionaire in its entertainment industry according to Forbes Asia.
Bang Si-hyuk, born on August 9, 1972, in South Korea, comes from a family with notable backgrounds. His father, Bang Geuk-yoon, held the position of president at the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Corporation, while his mother is Choi Myung-ja. He has a younger sister, and his cousin, Bang Jun-hyuk, founded Netmarble, a prominent mobile gaming company in South Korea. Additionally, his maternal uncle, Choi Kyu-sik, is a politician and former journalist who served as the South Korean ambassador to Hungary. Bang Si-hyuk celebrated his 50th birthday in 2022. Despite his early passion for music and growing up in a musically inclined household, he faced resistance from his parents regarding pursuing a career in the industry. He is South Korean when it comes to his nationality while his ethnicity is South Korean Asian. During his middle school years, Bang formed a band with his friends and began writing and performing songs he composed. He later attended Kyunggi High School and went on to graduate from Seoul National University with a degree in aesthetics.
During his college years, Bang Si-hyuk embarked on his musical journey by debuting as a composer. Collaborating with Park Jin-young, they formed a formidable songwriting duo and joined forces when Park established JYP Entertainment. Together, they achieved early success with the first-generation group "g.o.d," where Bang showcased his talents as an arranger and producer. Notably, he arranged the instrumentation and music in g.o.d's debut album "Chapter 1" and contributed to hit songs like "One Candle" and "Road," earning him the moniker "Hitman." His musical prowess extended beyond g.o.d, as he went on to produce and compose for a diverse range of artists, including Im Chang-jung, Park Ji-yoon, Rain, Wonder Girls, 2AM, Teen Top, and Baek Ji-young.
In 2005, Bang departed from JYP Entertainment and founded his own company, Big Hit Entertainment. Within Big Hit, he continued to write, compose, and produce for the agency's talented artists. His collaborative efforts with BTS resulted in his co-writing credits for six songs on their highly acclaimed "Wings" (2016) album. His contributions to the music industry did not go unnoticed, as he graced the cover of Time magazine's April 2022 issue alongside BTS, further solidifying his significant impact on the global music scene. Additionally, he received an honorary doctorate in Business from Seoul National University (SNU) in the same month, becoming the first figure in the entertainment industry to be bestowed with such an honor. This recognition celebrated his immense contributions to the development and innovation of South Korea's cultural and entertainment industry, as well as his instrumental role in elevating K-pop to a worldwide pop music culture.
Bang Si-hyuk has extensive production discography, collaborating with numerous artists over the years. Some notable albums he has worked on include Wonder Girls' "The Wonder Years" (2007), 2AM's "Saint o'Clock" (2010), Lee Hyun's "You Are the Best of My Life" (2011), BTS' "2 Cool 4 Skool" (2013), "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life" series (2015), "Wings" (2016), and "Love Yourself" trilogy (2017-2018), TXT's "The Dream Chapter" series (2019-2021), GFriend's "回" series (2020), and Enhypen's "Border" series (2020-2021). Additionally, he has contributed to the albums of Lee Seung-gi, Teen Top, IZ, and Seventeen, among others. Bang Si-hyuk's involvement as a producer, composer, and executive producer showcases his talent and impact in the music industry.
Bang Si-hyuk has won numerous awards throughout his career, including:
Melon Music Awards (2009)
Mnet 20's Choice Awards (2010)
Korea Music Copyright Awards (2011)
Asia Artist Awards (2016)
Melon Music Awards (Year not specified)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (Year not specified)
Golden Disc Awards (2017)
Gaon Chart Music Awards (Year not specified)
Korea Content Awards (Year not specified)
Seoul Music Awards (2018)
Genie Music Awards (Year not specified)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (Year not specified)
Edaily Culture Awards (Year not specified)
Pony Chung Innovation Awards (2020)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (Year not specified)
Bang Si-hyuk, the visionary founder and chairman of Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), stands as a titan in the Korean music industry. According to Forbes, Bang Si-hyuk's net worth in 2023 is $2.5 billion, a significant increase from Bloomberg's estimation of $770 million in April 2019. He is one of the 50 wealthiest people in south Korea and the only billionaire in that country's entertainment business. His immense wealth stems primarily from his ventures in the entertainment industry, establishing himself as a self-made entrepreneur. In October 2020, he made headlines by taking the company public in South Korea's largest IPO in three years, propelling him into the realm of billionaires. Demonstrating his philanthropic spirit, in October 2022, he generously donated 5 billion won (approximately $3.5 million) to the Community Chest of Korea, further cementing his commitment to making a positive impact. The Big Hit IPO launch catapulted his net worth to $2.8 billion, securing his position as South Korea's only billionaire within the entertainment industry and the country's sixth-richest individual. Recognized among Korea's 50 Richest People by Forbes Asia in June 2021, Bang ranked 16th on the prestigious list. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his worth to be approximately $3.2 billion as of July 2021, highlighting his remarkable financial success. On February 17, 2023, he donated 200 million won to help the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through Save the Children. With his newfound affluence, Bang Si-hyuk embraces a lavish lifestyle befitting his status.
Bang Si-hyuk, unmarried and without a wife, has sparked rumors of a romance with a 21-year-old woman, significantly younger than him. A resurfaced photo from Vietnam brought them into the spotlight, with the tall and captivating beauty standing by his side. Fans have introduced her identity as "Sohee" based on her Instagram handle, "sohee_172." It seems Bang Si-hyuk and Sohee are enjoying their life a lot. His sexual orientation is straight and he is not gay.
Within the tapestry of existence, Bang Si-hyuk emerges as a captivating enigma, his striking countenance captivating all who chance upon him. His dark brown tresses cascade effortlessly, framing his face like a veil of silk, while his mesmerizing brown eyes hold the secrets of a thousand dreams. The perfect accompaniment to his captivating features, an oval-shaped spectacle adorns his visage, bestowing an air of intellectual sophistication upon him. At a height of 5 feet 6 inches, his presence stands tall, defying the constraints of societal expectations. Though his body weight, a resolute 365 pounds (165.5 kg), may seem unconventional, it serves as a testament to the strength and resilience that reside within. He has got an average body type with a healthy body as of now.
Bang Si-hyuk is the visionary founder behind the success of Big Hit Music, now known as HYBE Corporation. As a pioneering figure in the music industry, he has played a crucial role in shaping the global phenomenon of K-pop. Through his leadership and strategic vision, Bang Si-hyuk has propelled Big Hit Music to become one of the most influential and renowned entertainment companies, fostering the careers of talented artists such as BTS and TXT. With the establishment of HYBE Corporation, he continues to drive innovation, expand artistic boundaries, and cultivate new opportunities for artists and fans worldwide. Bang Si-hyuk's profound impact and entrepreneurial spirit have firmly established him as an influential force in the music and entertainment landscape.
Bang Si Hyuk was fortunate to be born into a remarkable family, where both his parents possessed exceptional talents and achievements. His mother, Choi Myeong Ja, shattered societal norms by pursuing an English Literature degree at Seoul National University, a feat uncommon for women during that era. Meanwhile, his father, Bang Geuk Yoon, held a prestigious position as the chairman of the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, a government organization dedicated to safeguarding labor rights. The intellectual and accomplished background of his parents undoubtedly provided a nurturing environment for Bang Si Hyuk's own growth and aspirations.
Contrary to his parent's wishes for him to pursue a career in law, Bang Si Hyuk charted his own path while still honoring their academic expectations. He enrolled at Seoul National University (SNU), but instead of studying law, he decided to delve into the realm of aesthetics. By choosing a field that sparked his passion and creativity, Bang Si Hyuk demonstrated his independent spirit and determination to forge a unique identity separate from the conventional career choices his parents envisioned for him.
As a child, Bang Si Hyuk exhibited exceptional intelligence and a love for books. According to his father, he had a natural inclination for learning and was a voracious reader, often engaging with material that surpassed his age-appropriate reading level. His early passion for knowledge and his ability to grasp complex concepts at a young age hinted at his intellectual giftedness.
Although music has catapulted Bang Si Hyuk to billionaire status, it was not a path he had consciously set out to pursue. During the 2019 graduation ceremony at Seoul National University, he revealed that there was no defining moment when he made a deliberate choice to enter the music industry. Instead, he described his journey as one of floating along and unexpectedly finding himself immersed in the world of music. In his own words, he expressed that he was not driven by grand ambitions or lofty visions, but rather, he embraced the opportunities that came his way and allowed his passion to guide him. His humble approach and willingness to follow his creative instincts have undoubtedly played a significant role in his remarkable success.