Aespa Face Massive Backlash After Announcing Collaboration With McDonald’s
Earlier today, McDonald’s Japan unveiled a collaboration with popular girl group aespa through a brief advertisement posted on Twitter. But the group’s fans couldn’t be less thrilled about it.
The 30-second advertisement features the four aespa members showcasing various McDonald’s products, including a new item in the McCafe menu. However, their announcement has sparked significant backlash from fans, who are expressing their disappointment and frustration with SM Entertainment and the girl group.
本日7/1(月)から#McCafe × #aespa
コラボCM解禁！#オレオクッキーチョコフラッペ#水曜からチョコミントフラッペも pic.twitter.com/s3Ghbf320T— マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) July 1, 2024
The core of the controversy stems from McDonald’s reported involvement in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Boycotts of the brand started after news revealed that a McDonald’s franchise owner in Israel declared that the restaurants would be providing free meals to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and Israeli hospitals.
Newsweek claimed that the Israeli franchise has dedicated five stores to this initiative, donating over 100,000 meals.
Consequently, fans of aespa are upset that the group has chosen to partner with a brand associated with such controversial actions. The response on social media has been overwhelmingly negative, with many fans urging SM Entertainment to terminate the deal.
Hello SM, We do NOT want AESPA or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or McDonald’s. The companies are financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns.
— aespa fans on social media
Hello SM, We do NOT want AESPA or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or McDonald's. The companies are financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns. @SMTOWNGLOBAL @aespa_official @aespaJPofficial #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE pic.twitter.com/C9ejegqZEP
— Karina♡ (@ujiminphoria) June 29, 2024
Hello SM, We do NOT want AESPA or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or McDonald's. The companies are financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns. @aespa_official @SMTOWNGLOBAL @aespaJPofficial #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE pic.twitter.com/tcKqvZrgoG
— aespa International (@aespaintl) June 29, 2024
oh that’s not it SM. bye aespa https://t.co/mOzuXHjP9U
— IZZY #menow 🍀 (@fromizzy_) July 1, 2024
This isn’t the first time SM Entertainment has faced such criticism. A similar situation occurred when NCT 127 — another group on its roster — released collaborative merchandise with Starbucks, a brand also under boycott for its involvement in the conflict.
As the backlash continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether SM Entertainment or aespa will respond to the fans’ concerns and reconsider their partnership with McDonald’s.
