Fans Left Dismayed As EXO’s Suho Crosses BDS Picket Line With McDonald’s Post

Many found his actions contradictory and hypocritical.

EXO member Suho is being called out on social media by pro-Palestinian K-Pop fans for posting about McDonald’s.

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Suho | Newsis

On August 2, KST, a fan posted a picture of Suho on social media after spotting him at a physical McDonald’s store.

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The same day, the singer took to Bubble, the fan communication app, and shared a picture of his meal, a burger from McDonald’s. He also explicitly mentioned the brand’s name, saying that it was his first time eating from the chain in a year and a half.

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This post from Suho has left many fans disappointed as McDonald’s is one of the top brands named as a boycott target by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement. After Israel launched its deadly onslaught on civilian lives in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice recognized as crimes against humanity, McDonald’s started donating free meals to the Israeli army.

As the brand’s image grew more entangled with the Israeli military, the boycott against it intensified globally, and McDonald’s bought all its Israeli restaurants. That, however, didn’t change BDS’s stance on the boycott since the move only amplified the fast-food chain’s investment in Israel. The free meals continued to be offered as well.

While Suho’s post couldn’t be considered a paid endorsement, given that he mentioned multiple fast food brands in the same message thread, as a public figure, his open and organic association with the brand could essentially be considered free marketing for them.

Fans’ disappointment with Suho is amplified by the fact that he was one of the idols who participated in a charity market event a few months ago to raise money for children in Gaza and received praise from the K-Pop fan community. Many felt that his actions reeked of hypocrisy and insincerity.

Previously, BTS member V also received pushback over his post about McDonald’s. You can read more about it here.

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