ENHYPHEN Heeseung's overseas fans, in a frenzy... Causing damage to the National Pension Service and Korea's 'engine' [IssueIn]

Overheated actions by overseas fans surrounding ENHYPEN member Heeseung's withdrawal have crossed the line. The controversy appears to be spreading as even unrelated institutions are being affected.

Recently, some overseas fans of ENHYPEN's Heeseung, claiming to protest the withdrawal situation, flooded the National Pension Service International Pension Support Center with protest calls and emails, despite having no connection to the matter. This even led to the temporary paralysis of the institution's operations.

On the 18th, Kim Seong-ju, director of the National Pension Service, said on social media, "Last week, a sudden influx of overseas calls to the National Pension Service International Pension Support Center rendered operations paralyzed," adding, "About 1,500 emails were received within two hours."

He added, "It seems that posts circulated on social media urging overseas fans to call the National Pension Service, HYBE's major shareholder, to protest the ENHYPEN member's withdrawal."

In fact, some fans shared posts with messages such as "Did the National Pension Service receive prior notice from HYBE?", "Are you aware of the market value lost due to this decision?", and "Protest to the major shareholder, the National Pension Service," along with screenshots of the International Pension Support Center's consultation number.

Director Kim drew a line, saying, "This incident has caused great inconvenience to those calling for pension consultations," and added, "We are not involved in the management or personnel issues of individual companies, nor in the formation or member composition of K-pop groups."

The controversy did not end there. Some overseas fans used social media platforms like X (Twitter) to demand "Return Heeseung" and "Why are Korean fans staying silent?", even pressuring domestic fans to take action. They continued to criticize the calm responses of Korean fans, claiming it was "not an attitude that supports Heeseung."

Korean fans responded relatively calmly, urging restraint with comments such as "This is not behavior for Heeseung" and "Leave Heeseung alone." Voices emphasizing a mature fan culture also emerged, saying, "The National Pension Service is an institution for everyone, and paralyzing its operations crossed the line," and "Such actions will only cause Heeseung to be blamed."

Nevertheless, some overseas fans continue to escalate the conflict, repeatedly claiming "Return Heeseung", "We demand that Lee Heeseung remain a member of ENHYPEN", and "ENHYPEN is seven members." Concerns are growing that the fallout from overzealous fandom could ultimately become a burden for the artist.

Meanwhile, Heeseung's agency Belift Lab stated on the 10th, "Heeseung will leave the ENHYPEN team and ENHYPEN will continue activities as a six-member group from upcoming official schedules."