GOT7 BamBam’s Recent Endorsement Deal Sparks Divided Reactions

The fast-food chain is currently boycotted.
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Koreaboo

Content Warning

This article includes descriptions of violence that may disturb some readers.

GOT7‘s BamBam is known for frequently modeling for brands as an ambassador. Ahgases (also known as iGOT7, GOT7 fans) are always happy for their “young and rich” rapper in all his endeavors.

His latest endorsement deal has sparked mixed reactions, though.

Recently, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Thailand has been sharing social media posts that have made netizens wonder if BamBam has entered a new promotional deal with the fast-food chain. Previously, KFC retweeted a post advertising 2023-2024 BamBam THE 1ST WORLD TOUR ENCORE [AREA 52] in BANGKOK. 

Now, KFC Thailand posted an advertisement teasing a new “Friend of KFC Thailand.” It included both the snake emoji and the green heart emoji. The snake emoji is often used to represent BamBam, while the green heart is associated with GOT7.

Many Ahgases commented excitedly. KFC Thailand also interacted, replying to some, seemingly confirming BamBam’s involvement.

Some have already spotted online and in-person things that indicate KFC Thailand is promoting a new meal with BamBam. The website has started to change, including his current era’s aesthetic. Additionally, there appears to be a limited edition packaging for BamBam’s meal.

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However, not all fans will be supporting.

According to Al Jazeera, “At least 34,012 people have been killed and 76,833 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of captives held in Gaza.“ More people worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian crisis and war against Palestine.

Many people are attempting to make a difference by boycotting brands affiliated with Israel. BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is an entity that has helped identify brands that should be targeted in boycotts. The Palestinian BDS National Committee shared a list of brands to boycott, placing them in categories. Some popular fast-food chains are organic targets.

The BDS movement did not initiate these grassroots boycott campaigns but is in support of them due to these brands openly supporting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.

— BDS on organic boycott targets

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Yum Brands is the parent company of multiple fast-food brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Yum Brands also invests in Israeli businesses, so any of their businesses are currently boycotted. Its CEO confirmed they have taken a hit due to the “ongoing tensions in the Middle East.”

Top-line sales were impacted by the conflict in the Middle East region, with varying degrees of impact across markets in the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia. …This represented a low-single-digit headwind to Yum’s overall sales growth.

— Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs

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Naturally, many Ahgases are concerned about BamBam promoting a brand due to these problematic ties. So they are tagging both him and his company, ABYSS COMPANY, in hopes that he will end his association and promotion of the brand.

Others are advising the fandom not to hate on BamBam due to his involvement, as he advertised for KFC long before the boycott. He even appeared in a commercial for KFC Thailand when he was a kid, and this caught the attention of JYP Entertainment.

However, many can’t ignore KFC’s ties to Israel during the ongoing war against Palestine. So, they don’t want their idol to be affiliated with this in any way. They hope to educate him.

Others are empathetic with BamBam, revealing they didn’t know until now that KFC was part of the boycott. It’s not as heavily talked about as McDonald’s and Starbucks, which are also globally boycotted.

What do you think about this situation?

Source: Al Jazeera (1) and (2) and The Hill

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