Parc Jae Jung’s official fan club is getting a new name before it even officially launches.
On June 20, 2026 (KST), Parc Jae Jung’s agency, Romantic Factory, released a statement announcing that it would be reconsidering the name of the singer’s first official fan club.
The agency had previously announced that the fan club would be called “Namu,” meaning “tree” in Korean. According to the agency, the name was chosen because it was connected to one of Parc Jae Jung’s nicknames and carried a meaningful story for the artist and his fans.
However, the announcement quickly drew concern from fans of senior singer Park Hyo Shin. His official fan club is called Soul Tree, and his fans have long been referred to as “Namu,” making the proposed name feel too close for comfort to many longtime fans.
Several fans pointed out that “Namu” was not just a random word, but a long-standing symbol tied to Park Hyo Shin’s fandom identity. Others urged Parc Jae Jung’s side to reconsider before the overlap created confusion or tension between the two fandoms.
- What??? I doubted my own eyes and ears. It could have been Parc Jae Jung’s opinion, or it could have been the company’s opinion. But don’t you at least double-check before deciding?? There is already a singer who has used the fandom name “Soul Tree” for nearly 26 years, so it really doesn’t make sense that no one knew about this. Would Parc Jae Jung’s fans want to be called by a name that already refers to another artist’s fans?? I find it questionable. And considering how many comments like this have been left, if they proceed without taking them into account, I think that will also cause a huge stir. Park Hyo Shin’s fans don’t feel comfortable writing comments like this on a post that should be receiving congratulations. Please do not take these fans’ comments lightly, and please think deeply about this.
- If the fan club name is going to be “Namu,” then the fans absolutely should not be called “Namu,” and even when you make fan songs, you’ll have to keep avoiding the word “tree.” Because every time that happens, the emotional rift with Soul Tree’s Namus will only grow deeper… Thinking about the future, I think it would be best to avoid “Namu.” I’m sure you thought about it carefully before deciding, but I hope you recognize the seriousness of this situation so that hostility does not form between Parc Jae Jung’s fans and Park Hyo Shin’s fans
- I support the start of Parc Jae Jung’s fan club. However, Soul Tree is already a fandom, and we, the Namus, have protected that forest for over 20 years. So using “Namu” as a fan club name and saying you want to create a forest with “tree keepers” is honestly very bewildering. Please discuss this with the people involved one more time, and I hope you can begin happily with a lighter heart!! “Namu” is a name we have to protect, so it would be difficult for us to give it up. I will continue to support your great activities, and I also hope your fan club can begin wonderfully with another good name.
- The “Tree” in Soul Tree means “Namu.” It’s a word that the agency and the artist have officially used for more than 20 years. If the “official registered name” of the fan club overlaps, it can cause confusion in the industry, which is why Parc Jae Jung’s agency fact-checked the matter, cleanly acknowledged it, and said they would change it. But third parties who don’t know the situation may not be able to distinguish between a nickname like “Captain” and an official name like “Namu.” “Captain” and “Namu” are not comparable. “Captain” is an unofficial nickname used to refer to the artist, so the concept of mutual interference or permission does not apply. But the core issue in the “Namu” controversy is a clash of identity over an official fan club name. It’s not about whether the exact same word is being used, but whether it serves the same function. “Captain” is a personal nickname, while “Namu” is a symbolic word that identifies a fandom, so the comparison itself does not hold. Also, the key issue here is not that a specific fandom raised a complaint, but that the agency failed to properly review the name in advance for the possibility of this kind of confusion.
Romantic Factory later acknowledged the issue, explaining that while the official fan club names were technically different, using the same nickname could cause confusion. The agency ultimately decided to review the name again, noting that it wanted to proceed more carefully as this is Parc Jae Jung’s first official fan club.
In a statement, Romantic Factory confirmed that the previously announced fan club name will be reviewed again, with a new name to be announced at a later date. However, recruitment for the first generation of Parc Jae Jung’s official fan club will still begin as scheduled on June 22. The agency also apologized to Parc Jae Jung’s fans, acknowledging that many had been excited about the original name.
“Hello, this is Parc Jae Jung’s agency, Romantic Factory.
We ask for your generous understanding that, in order to provide a prompt notice, we are inevitably sharing this announcement through the artist’s account.
We previously announced that the name of Parc Jae Jung’s first official fan club, which will begin recruitment on June 22, would be “Namu,” a name containing meaning connected to the artist’s nickname.
However, after the announcement, we learned that fans of senior artist Park Hyo Shin’s official fan club, “Soul Tree,” have long been called by the nickname “Namu.”
Although the official fan club names differ, we determined that confusion may arise if the same nickname is used. In particular, as we are launching our artist’s official fan club for the first time, we believe it is right for us to respond with greater care.
Accordingly, we have decided to reconsider the previously announced fan club name, and the new name will be announced separately at a later date. However, recruitment for the fan club’s first generation will proceed as scheduled, starting June 22.
As this was a meaningful name that contained a story connected to the artist’s nickname, we sincerely apologize for disappointing the fans who shared in our joy and supported us.
In addition, we would like to apologize to senior artist Park Hyo Shin and his fans who may have been confused by this matter.
We will return with a more careful and thoughtful approach.
Thank you.”
— Romantic Factory
What will Parc Jae Jung’s fan club end up being called? Stay tuned for updates.
Source: xportsnews and Star News