BTS has temporarily stopped working on their new album in Los Angeles after HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk returned to South Korea for a police investigation. The group was preparing for their 2026 comeback when reports surfaced about the halt due to legal issues involving HYBE’s 2020 stock market launch. Fans are worried about delays, but HYBE says it will cooperate fully with authorities.
Why BTS Album Work Was Stopped
On August 11, 2025, HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk flew back to Seoul from the U.S. after police started investigating claims of fraud during HYBE’s 2020 stock launch. Reports say he may have misled investors into selling shares before the company went public.
BTS had been in Los Angeles since July 2025, working on their first group album since finishing military service. The album was set for release in spring 2026, but production stopped when Bang left.
“I will return to Korea to fully and transparently work with investigators and put these allegations to rest,” Bang said in an email to HYBE staff.
Police are checking if Bang made 190 billion won ($137 million) from questionable stock deals. They raided HYBE’s office and the Korea Exchange as part of the probe.
What Happens Next for BTS?
BTS announced their comeback plans on July 1, 2025, during a live Weverse stream. They confirmed a new album and world tour for 2026. The group has been recording in the U.S. with top producers, and rumors say they might collaborate with Charlie Puth.
Fans noticed Bang’s sudden return to Korea and wondered if the album would be delayed. HYBE has not given a new timeline but says the legal issues won’t stop BTS’s plans for long.
“We’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year. Starting in July, all seven of us will begin working closely together on new music,” the group said during their livestream.
Despite the pause, HYBE’s business is strong. The company reported a 10.2% increase in Q2 2025 revenue, thanks to BTS and other artists like Seventeen and TXT.
HYBE’s Legal Troubles and Tax Probe
Bang Si-hyuk is accused of breaking stock market rules by making investors sell shares before HYBE’s 2020 IPO. If found guilty, he could face five years to life in prison.
South Korea’s National Tax Service is also checking HYBE’s finances in a 90-day special audit that started in late July. The company hired a law firm to handle the case.
Legal experts say proving fraud will be hard because the stock deals were private contracts. Past court rulings say the law protects the public market, not individual investors.
Fans React to the News
BTS fans, known as ARMY, are upset about the album delay but support the group. Many took to social media to share their concerns.
“We trust BTS and HYBE, but we hope this gets resolved quickly. We’ve waited so long for their comeback,” one fan tweeted.
Others pointed out that BTS members have been seen with producers like Diplo, suggesting work was going well before the pause.
What We Know About BTS’s Comeback
BTS last released a group album in 2020 (BE). Their 2026 comeback will be their first since finishing military service.
- Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022 and was discharged in June 2024.
- J-Hope finished service in October 2024.
- RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook left the military in June 2025.
- Suga was the last, completing his service as a social worker on June 21, 2025.
The group’s world tour will be their first since 2022’s Permission to Dance on Stage.
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