Despite the recent controversial collaboration between Starbucks Korea and NCT, fans of the boy group have taken action by sending protest trucks to express their disapproval and boycott the collaboration.
Starbucks Korea collaborates with NCT! Starbucks Korea has released a collaboration edition item with the idol group NCT! The refreshing Plum Pigeon, perfect for summer, has been released with a neo-energy theme! The stylish and cute collaboration items will also be on sale from May 30th 🧸📷 @StarbucksKorea #StarbucksKorea … pic.twitter.com/kK3MTyKKuk
— kitto.today (@Kittotoday) May 23, 2024
On June 1, 2024, a post titled “International Fans of NCT Stage Protest in front of Starbucks”was posted on TheQoo, a popular online community forum in South Korea. The original poster shared pictures of a protest truck parked outside a Starbucks location in South Korea.
In addition, a tweet was shared from the X (previously known as Twitter) account NCTzen Humanity & Help Indonesia, where they express their disapproval of NCT or any SM Entertainment artist promoting with Starbucks. They also mention their objection to the group collaborating with any company that is supporting the genocide in Palestine.
#SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE We do not want NCT or your artists to be associated with or promote S**BUC*KS or any company that finances genocide in Palestine.Notice our concerns Please do it. @SMTOWNGLOBAL @SMTOWN_Idn @NCTsmtown @pps_kr pic.twitter.com/DdVVnamS8o
— NCTzen Humanity & Help Indonesia (@nctzenhumanity) June 1, 2024
To find out more, read about how NCT Taeyong’s deleted post caused chaos surrounding the Starbucks collaboration.
Despite not funding the IOF and not having any locations in Israel, Starbucks has faced backlash and a boycott due to their involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. This is due to their attempt to sue labor unions that have expressed support for Palestine.
Hello, SM EntertainmentWe do NOT want NCT DREAM or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or any companies that are financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns.@SMTOWNGLOBAL @NCTsmtown @NCTsmtown_DREAM @SMTOWN_Idn #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE pic.twitter.com/gAHbcDCMSx
— ًً (@LJNFEED) May 29, 2024
As a result, NCTzens are disappointed with the group’s decision to partner with Starbucks. It seems that even the members are not in favor of the collaboration, as Taeyong and Renjun have shared stories that seemingly encourage fans to boycott Starbucks.
Taeyong has stopped drinking SB since the boycott started and now even he’s in the military and has only few hours to use his phone he’s still being the only one who speak up and posting it on his IG declaring that he’s indeed boycotting sb and NOT supporting any collaboration. pic.twitter.com/kR4F4pMq1v
— Din (@Ieetaesthetic) May 30, 2024
this literally means no coffee/boycott coffee he’s speaking up about the starbucks collab we fucking love you renjun pic.twitter.com/YaGuGZAiTW
— s (@stillwithmark) May 31, 2024
Despite receiving largely positive feedback from international NCTzens, the protest truck did not receive the same level of enthusiasm from Korean netizens. Many criticized the fans, calling them insane and questioning their mental state. This behavior was deemed as idiotic and sparked criticism towards international fans for their activism.
Some also noted that the protest truck was not directed towards Starbucks’ main headquarters in South Korea, but rather towards a branch in Cheongdam where the employees were unlikely to have any involvement in the collaboration. This led to speculation as to why the truck was not sent to SM Entertainment or Starbucks’ HQ. Some argued that a boycott of Starbucks should only be limited to America.
Korean netizens argue that the actions of international fans are negatively impacting NCT’s attractiveness to brands in South Korea and damaging their image. In contrast, international fans are against seeing their idols endorse a brand that remains neutral or supports the oppressor during a genocide.
Certain comments were written,
- “This is insane.”
- “Wow, have they lost their minds?”
- “Why don’t they do this for US Starbucks instead?”
- “Go send it to the American Starbucks instead. This is frustrating.”
- “What do they think they are doing?!”
- “Wow, their activism sure looks good… LOL.”
- “Sigh, they are causing trouble.”
- “This is hilarious. Go send it to their headquarters instead. This is so stupid.”
- “Wow… This is nuts.”
- “This isn’t even the headquarters of Starbucks, this is their Cheongdam branch. What’s the point of sending it there?”
Please share your thoughts on the situation in the comments section below.
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