On January 23, a video titled “[EPISODE] LE SSERAFIM(르세라핌) @ 2023 MAMA AWARDS #2” was published on the official YouTube channel of LE SSERAFIM.
Here, various behind-the-scenes moments of LE SSERAFIM at the 2023 MAMA awards were revealed, including some footage of the girl group in their waiting room.
However, attention was not drawn to the girls, but the many Starbucks cups littered around the room. Most importantly, logos of other brands were blurred in the video, but Starbucks’ logo was extremely obvious, rousing suspicions of this being a paid promotion.
It is important to note that due to the ongoing situation in the Gaza strip, where numerous Palestinian people were killed due to Israel’s airstrikes, many people all around the world are boycotting brands that support Israel.
Among those, Starbucks is a main target, after the brand tried to stop the Starbucks Workers’ union from using its name and logo in support of Palestine.
As a result, HYBE & LE SSERAFIM’s alleged promotion of Starbucks have angered a great number of netizens, who heavily criticized both the company and the group for being tone-deaf regarding the current tragedy.
Previously, many other K-pop idols, including Jeon Somi, were criticized for using Starbucks products as well.
Source: K Crush, X
