The SHINSEGAE group launched an investigation into allegations that SHINSEGAE gift certificates worth 3 million won (1,700 Euros), offered to fans by NCT member JAEMIN, were misappropriated internally by EMART, the company stated this Tuesday.
JAEMIN sent 30 SHINSEGAE gift certificates worth 100,000 won each to fans on Saturday via the paid fan community platform “Bubble”, describing them as gifts for White Day. The certificates were sent as mobile vouchers.
In some East Asian countries, women traditionally give gifts to their male partners on Valentine’s Day, and men do the same a month later, on March 14, also known as White Day.
Fans who went to EMART stores on Sunday to exchange the vouchers for physical versions were told they had already been used at the EMART branch in Gumi, North Gyeongsang, before the official 10 a.m. opening time.
Fans wondered how this could have happened even before the stores opened and raised suspicions online that a store employee might have taken the vouchers for themselves.
As the controversy spread, SHINSEGAE group, the parent group of the supermarket branch, began an internal investigation on Monday.
“We offer our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to EMART customers. We are currently conducting an internal investigation to determine the circumstances,” the SHINSEGAE group stated in a press release.
“We will proceed with follow-up measures based on the results of the investigation, and management standards related to the issuance and exchange of gift certificates will be strengthened to prevent this incident from happening again,” the company continued.
JAEMIN sent 10 additional gift certificates to fans on Sunday, writing that “there were still a few left.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Shinsegae, SNS NCT
