PANews reported on June 12 that Tencent is studying a potential deal to acquire Nexon for $15 billion to further strengthen its gaming business, according to Bloomberg. People familiar with the matter revealed that Tencent has contacted the family of Nexon's late founder Kim Jung-ju to discuss the possibility of an acquisition. Currently, Kim Jung-ju's family holds a 44.4% stake in Nexon through the family investment company NXC Corp., of which Kim Jung-ju's wife and daughter hold approximately 67.6% of NXC Corp.'s shares.

Sources said that it is still uncertain whether NXC is willing to sell its shares in Nexon, and it is also doubtful whether Tencent's transaction review can be completed, and the transaction structure has not yet been finalized. It is worth noting that Tencent tried to acquire Nexon in 2019, but failed to reach an agreement on price.