HYBE brought families and employees together once again with its third annual “HYBE Family Night,” held on September 27 at the company’s Yongsan headquarters in Seoul. Timed with the Seoul International Fireworks Festival at Yeouido Hangang Park, the event has become a regular tradition since starting in 2023.
This year saw heavy interest, with 936 people applying for a chance to attend. A lottery narrowed the group to 73 teams, about 250 people in total, producing a competition rate of 13 to 1.
The Yongsan office provided a strong vantage point for the fireworks, located near the Hangang Bridge and overlooking the Han River. To mark the occasion, the top floor of the building, which includes the cafeteria, café, and rooftop garden, was decorated under a “sky garden” theme.
Families were able to take photos in areas set with flowers and butterflies before joining for dinner and a prize draw. The main attraction came later in the evening, when the fireworks display began and guests gathered to watch and take pictures from the rooftop.
Chairman Bang Si Hyuk made an unannounced visit to the event to greet staff and their families. He shared a few words of encouragement and stayed to watch the fireworks, and took photos with attendees on request.
A HYBE official explained
“We planned this event not just as a welfare benefit, but as an opportunity for employees who have worked hard for the company and their families to experience and enjoy together. Going forward, we will continue to provide various programs and systems so that our members can feel a sense of satisfaction and pride in the company.”
The company has been broadening its family-focused programs over the past few years. In May, HYBE held “HYBE Family Day” to mark Family Month, giving relatives a chance to see inside the company. Guests toured facilities including the screening room, recording studios, choreography practice spaces, and photo and video studios.
Meanwhile, HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk is currently under police investigation over alleged fraud tied to the company’s 2020 initial public offering. Authorities are looking into claims that he misled early investors in 2019 by denying any IPO plans, which led them to sell their shares to a private equity fund connected to a profit-sharing deal with him.
In an email to employees in August, Bang apologized for the concern caused and pledged to cooperate, saying he would return to Korea to “fully and transparently work with investigators.”