NCT's Jaemin's gift cards were misused by emart staff. An internal investigation is ongoing, and measures will be taken to prevent recurrence.
March/17/2026 14:16
It has been confirmed that some of the gift certificates NCT's Jaemin gave to fans were used by employees of the major Korean supermarket emart. The Shinsegae Group, which operates emart, stated today (17th), 'We have confirmed that employees at the emart Gumi store used nine 100,000 won (about 1,000 USD) vouchers in advance,' and added, 'We are currently conducting an internal investigation into the details.' They continued, 'We apologize for the inconvenience caused to customers using emart,' and stated, 'We will proceed with measures based on the company's standards and principles according to the investigation results, and strengthen management standards related to the issuance and exchange of gift certificates to prevent recurrence.' On the 14th, Jaemin celebrated White Day by publicly offering 30 Shinsegae mobile gift certificates (100,000 won each) through a communication platform with fans. He gifted a total of 3 million won (about 30,000 USD) worth of gift certificates, which were in a format displaying barcodes and could be used on a first-come, first-served basis. However, when some fans visited exchange locations like emart the next day to exchange their gift certificates for paper ones, the problem was discovered. It was revealed that some gift certificates had already been exchanged at the emart Gumi store in Gyeongsangbuk-do before the store's opening time of 10 AM. Following this, suspicions spread online and on social media that employees at the store had used their authority to use the gift certificates in advance. On the 15th, as the controversy grew, Jaemin reportedly informed fans that 'there were still some left' and delivered an additional 10 of the same gift certificates.
Related Articles
April was eventful in K-pop, featuring BTS's thrilling Tokyo Dome concert, BIGBANG's surprise world tour announcement after 9 years, and NCT's Mark announcing his departure from SM Entertainment. The month also included JYP's initiative for a joint venture among major K-pop companies, and 2PM's Taecyeon getting married.
NCT's Jaehyun, after completing military service, announces his concert tour 'Mono' starting June 6 in Seoul. He will perform in various cities, including Macau and Jakarta, reuniting with fans after 1.5 years. A live stream celebrating his discharge is scheduled for today at 8 PM on NCT's channels.
On the morning of the 4th, NCT's Taeyong attended the EPT brand event held in Seongsu-dong, Songdong-gu, Seoul. He will release his 1st full album titled 'WYLD' on May 18, and he participated in writing and composing the album. Additionally, Taeyong and Choi Woo-shik attended the 'AMI PARIS' brand event.
NCT's Jaehyun has officially completed his military service after 18 months. He was celebrated with a photo shoot shared on NCT's Instagram, featuring him in military uniform and smiling with a bouquet. Member Jungwoo attended to congratulate him. Jaehyun enlisted on November 4, 2024, and is the second member to be discharged after Taeyong. He debuted in April 2016 and has been active in various projects, including a film and a drama last year.
The concert 'K*Pop Masterz Presents 2NE1 & TEN SPECIAL LIVE in JAPAN 2026' has been canceled due to difficulties in providing stage equipment. The organizers apologized for the inconvenience and are working on rescheduling, but no details are available yet. Refunds will be processed for all tickets.
ABEMA's 'Naokiman's Urban Legend Wide Show' Season 3 premieres on May 5, 2026, at 11 PM. The show will explore trending urban legends with celebrity guests, including actor Takayuki Yamada, and introduce new segments like an underground bus tour and psychological quizzes, promising to challenge viewers' perceptions.
NCT's Taeyong is set to release his first full album titled "WYLD" on May 18. The album includes 10 tracks, with Taeyong participating in writing all lyrics and composing 9 songs. This marks a significant step in establishing his identity as an all-around musician. Pre-orders for the album begin today, and it will also be available on various platforms.
Lucas's exclusive contract with SM Entertainment officially ended on April 24. The company thanked fans for their support and expressed appreciation for the time spent with Lucas since his debut. They encouraged fans to warmly support his new challenges as he continues his career as a solo artist after leaving NCT and WayV.
The new tvN drama 'Secret Audit' premieres on April 25, showcasing a thrilling romance between audit chief Chu Ina and ace auditor No Gijun. The OST features a lineup of renowned artists, including NCT's Doyoung, who supports his brother in the drama. The production company aims to enhance the emotional depth of the story through this diverse musical collaboration.
NCT's Taeyong collaborates with Anderson .Paak on the new song "Rock Solid," released today. The hip-hop track features unique drum rhythms and dynamic flows, showcasing Taeyong's strong rap and confidence in his artistry. He expresses excitement and nervousness about sharing new music after two years and aims for the song to bring positive energy to listeners' daily lives. Taeyong plans to release his first full album in May.
