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Shinsegae Group investigates theft allegations involving NCT Jaemin's Emart vouchers

Published: 17 Mar. 2026, 16:17

Jaemin of boy band NCT [YONHAP]

Shinsegae Group has launched an investigation into allegations that Shinsegae gift certificates worth 3 million won ($2,000), given to fans by NCT member Jaemin, were taken internally by Emart, the company said on Tuesday.

Jaemin sent 30 Shinsegae gift certificates worth 100,000 won each to fans on Saturday through the paid fan community platform Bubble, describing them as White Day gifts. The certificates were sent in the form of mobile vouchers.

In some East Asian countries, women traditionally give their male partner gifts on Valentine's Day, and the men reciprocate a month later on March 14, also known as White Day.

Fans who visited Emart stores on Sunday to exchange the vouchers for physical copies were told that they had already been redeemed at the Emart Gumi branch in North Gyeongsang before the official opening time of 10 a.m.

Fans questioned how this could have happened before stores even opened and raised suspicions online that a store employee may have taken the vouchers for themselves.

As the controvery spread, Shinsegae Group, the parent group of the supermarket branch, began an internal investigation on Monday.

An Emart branch is seen in this file photo. [JOONGANG ILBO]

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to Emart customers,” Shinsegae Group said in a statement. “We are currently conducting an internal investigation to determine the circumstances.”

“We will proceed with follow-up measures based on the results of the investigation, and management standards related to gift certificate issuance and exchanges will be strengthened to prevent a recurrence of this incident,” the company continued.

Jaemin sent an additional 10 gift certificates to fans on Sunday, writing that “there were still some left.”

BY HYEON YE-SEUL [[email protected]]