Global Investment Giant NPS Paralyzed: K-pop Fandom Targets Pension Fund Over "Why Was Heeseung Removed?"

The work of the National Pension Service, a major global investor renowned for its influence, was paralyzed due to the popularity of K-pop idols.

On March 18, Sungju Kim, Chairman of the National Pension Service, posted on his social networking service (SNS) account a message titled "The Story of the National Pension International Pension Support Center Being Paralyzed."

According to Chairman Kim, last week, the International Pension Center of the NPS received a flood of international calls, temporarily paralyzing operations. On the same day, 1,500 emails poured in within two hours.

Heeseung of the group ENHYPEN posed at the photowall event of the 2nd The Awards held on the 11th of last month at Hwajeong Gymnasium, Korea University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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Chairman Kim explained, "After looking into the matter, it turned out that posts circulating on social media urged overseas fans to call the NPS, the major shareholder of HYBE, in protest regarding the withdrawal of a member from the K-pop group ENHYPEN. A post on X (formerly Twitter) included a screenshot of the International Pension Support Center's hotline, along with a message urging people to protest to the NPS-asking whether the NPS had been informed in advance by HYBE and whether it was aware of the market value lost by this decision."

Screenshot of Sungju Kim, Chairman of the National Pension Service, Facebook account

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In the photo attached by Chairman Kim, a user on X posted on the 11th, "Since the National Pension Service is the largest investor in HYBE, we need to bother them and not let anything slide," along with the phone number for the International Pension Support Center.

The International Pension Support Center at the National Pension Service is a department that provides pension-related support for foreign workers in Korea and Koreans working abroad.

Chairman Kim clarified, "The National Pension Service is a long-term investor responsible for managing the retirement funds of the people. While we invest in numerous companies in over 80 countries around the world, we do not intervene in the management or personnel matters of individual companies, nor do we get involved in the formation or member composition of K-pop groups."

He added, "Although this was a brief incident that spread rapidly on social media, it was an opportunity to reconsider the role of the NPS. Moving forward, we will continue to manage the valuable retirement funds of our citizens safely, while also maintaining a sense of mission with regard to our social impact and responsibilities."

Previously, on the 10th, BELIFT LAB, a subsidiary of HYBE, announced that Heeseung, a member of ENHYPEN, would be leaving the group. Heeseung is expected to continue his career as a solo artist under BELIFT LAB.

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