Brian Kim, the billionaire founder of South Korea's Kakao Corp, has been arrested following an issued warrant by South Korean authorities over allegations of stock price manipulation. The arrest is linked to a bidding war involving SM Entertainment, a prominent K-pop agency, where prosecutors allege Kim intentionally inflated the agency's stock to hinder rival agency Hybe from acquiring a controlling stake. This incident marks a significant moment in South Korea's corporate landscape, as Kim becomes one of the most notable business figures to face legal consequences in recent years. Following the news of his arrest, shares of Kakao experienced their sharpest daily decline in nearly two years, reflecting investor concerns over the implications of this legal action on the company’s future and its founder's empire.