Director Of BTS V's "FRI(END)S" Music Video Is Pro-Palestine

Since October, “at least 31,341 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip,” according to the Health Ministry in the region. Most have been women and children. 73,134 are reportedly injured. Palestinians are struggling to survive as they are starved, displaced, and lost their families and friends.

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Netizens worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian crisis, educating themselves on it, and hoping to make a difference. One method that people are partaking in is through boycotting businesses that have ties to Israel. Businesses such as McDonald’s and Starbucks have been widely boycotted. Additionally, K-Pop fans have also boycotted the “Big 4” (YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and HYBE).

🚨We are gonna boycott the groups under the big 4 companies all the way until January 28‼️

PLS SPREAD AND BOYCOTT THE BIG4 COMPANIES TO HELP PALESTINE 🇵🇸 #StrikeForPalestine #strikeagaintsthe4 pic.twitter.com/lUe0dBLsBs

— sofia 樂 (@8SunshineFelix) January 22, 2024

Fans of HYBE groups, such as BTS, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, ENHYPEN, etc., are increasingly concerned about the company’s ties to Zionism. Fandoms have targeted the company using the hashtag #HYBEDivestFromZionism.

🚨ARMY, reminder that blackouts are constantly happening in Gaza and that Connecting Gaza are still running out of esims!! We all know by now how mich of an essential need esims are so please keep donating them!! Keep sharing this too! https://t.co/Kuz2fqQTPR

— ARMY for Palestine (@ARMY4Palestine) March 14, 2024

introducing the hybe merch boycott map!

here you will find the dates we shall be cancelling orders & sending our messages to hybe, each month from now until june.

for info on:
– how to participate
– how to draft your message
– why we need to boycott
please see below pic.twitter.com/p7zwxSbNvI

— (winnie the) rooh⁷ (@btsprodsuga) December 11, 2023

HYBE,

YOU MUST DISASSOCIATE YOURSELF ENTIRELY FROM ZIONISM, CUT TIES WITH ZIONIST INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS, AND DIVEST FROM ZIONIST PRODUCTS NOW. REMOVE SCOOTER BRAUN.@HYBEOFFICIALtwt @hitmanb #HYBEDivestFromZionism #하이브시오니스트를제거하다 pic.twitter.com/QG43dAv2EF

— cam⁷ ! 🍉 (@seokfilmz) January 29, 2024

HYBE has been under fire recently for its collaborations with Western artists such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Bella Poarch, as well as a backup dancer, all of whom previously supported Israel. Nonetheless, the biggest objection of netizens is Scooter Braun, the CEO of HYBE America. K-Pop fans have continually called out not just his poor management experience but also his long-time support of Israel as reasons they desire his removal from the company.

some of you need to watch this since its kpop over anything for you guys

HYBE DIVEST FROM ZIONISM
HYBE REMOVE SCOOTER BRAUN #하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #HYBEDivestFromZionism pic.twitter.com/tT7r5DjY4l

— silvia⁷💫 (@sugasinterluude) February 23, 2024

now is the time to scream it from the rooftops

this is no space for genocide enablers

HYBE REMOVE SCOOTER BRAUN#하이브시오니스트를제거하다 #HYBEDivestFromZionism pic.twitter.com/uIPpwyltJr

— squid⁷ (@outrosquid) February 28, 2024

The matter has yet to be addressed despite netizens’ consistent cries against Scooter Braun. However, there is progress slowly but surely. ARMYs were encouraged upon the realization that a pro-Palestine director was involved in BTS V‘s new single “FRI(END)S” MV.

On Friday, March 15, V released “FRI(END)S,” along with his MV. As it’s also a short film, the cast and crew were properly credited in the video’s description.

Among the names was Director Samuel Bradley. According to his website, “Samuel Bradley is a photographer based between London and New York. His clients include AnOther, British Vogue, Burberry, Gucci and Vogue.”

Bradley uses his Instagram to post his various projects. So, recently, he shared that he had directed the “FRI(END)S” MV via Instagram Stories.

Yet, that’s not all he uses Instagram for. Bradley uses the platform as a legitimate platform, bringing awareness to social issues.

On the same day, Bradley shared a thoughtful piece from what appeared to be his own Notes app. He noted that while we can still share and view various fun content on social media, we cannot ignore the issues worldwide, from racism to war crimes to genocide. He added that not amplifying and raising awareness concerning such issues but continuing to engage in any other content makes one “complicit.”

While Bradley did not explicitly say what social issues he was concerned about, he was pretty clear when read between the lines, and one look at who he is following confirms that he is pro-Palestine.

Bradley isn’t following only V. He’s following Eye On Palestine, so informed (a page that breaks down social issues and politics), and Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza.