How Old Is Too Old? HYBE’s Bang Si Hyuk Playfully Shoots Down News Anchor’s K-Pop Idol Dreams

HYBE‘s chairman Bang Si Hyuk sat down with anchor Richard Quest in a recent interview with CNN about HYBE’s acquisition of SM Entertainment.

Before the interview, there was a playful moment where Richard Quest declared his dream to be a K-Pop star.

However, just as he was blunt about his response to the accusations that he was trying to “monopolize K-Pop,” Bang Si Hyuk was direct with his response to Richard Quest.

“I’m forty years too old for K-Pop, but I still have ambitions to be a…” said Richard Question, to which Bang Si Hyuk politely and blankly nodded before saying, “…to be a what?”

The two laughed together before Bang Si Hyuk continued, “Yeah… I don’t want to say more.”

Richard Quest then asked about the best age to start a career in K-Pop, and Bang Si Hyuk responded, “The earlier, the better.” His answer aligned with the reality of the K-Pop industry, where it is common to see children as young as 11 or 12 start training to be K-Pop stars.

The persistent Richard Quest did not give up easily. He jokingly whispered, “I’m sixty… Is it too late?”

Bang Si Hyuk gave him a chance this time: “You’re not too late.” Then the two laughed it off before discussing more serious issues.

Watch the full moment here.