SEOUL:Â A hacking case involving BTS member Jungkook is gaining widespread attention across social media and among the fans of K-Pop, as South Korean court sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a hacking scheme that targeted BTS member Jungkook and other wealthy South Koreans, with more than 38 billion won ($27.2 million) stolen from victims, according to reports.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced the man, identified by his surname Chun, on fraud charges and for violating South Korea’s Information Network Act. The court said the victims lost their assets through no fault of their own and criticized Chun for showing no genuine remorse.
Jungkook was among the high profile targets of the criminal network, which allegedly operated overseas, including in Thailand, from August 2023 to January 2025. Investigators said the group collected personal information, activated mobile phones in victims names and used those accounts to gain access to financial assets.
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The case took an especially alarming turn when hackers targeted Jungkook’s HYBE shares. The group reportedly attempted to move and steal shares worth about 8.4 billion won, or roughly $6 million at the time. The attempted theft occurred after Jungkook began his mandatory military service in December 2023.
Jungkook, rose to worldwide fame as a member of BTS, one of the most influential K-pop groups in the world. Known for his powerful vocals, dancing and solo music, he has built a massive international fan base throughout his career.
The attempted theft did not result in a permanent financial loss for the singer. BigHit Music, BTS agency under HYBE, acted quickly after the suspicious activity was discovered and took steps to suspend the transaction and restore the value of the shares.
The investigation also found that the hacking network targeted a business tycoon from a major South Korean conglomerate. The court described the crime as particularly serious because victims were financially harmed despite doing nothing wrong.
