NCT's Reported Collaboration With Starbucks Brings Backlash

News that NCT would be having a collaboration with Starbucks went viral on Twitter recently. K-Pop collaborations with the coffee chain are not new — the brand has previously collaborated with BLACKPINK and BTS.

Tweets with the alleged merchandise have been going viral. Although no one knows where the source comes from, it seems like the brand will be releasing a series of keychains based on the members, amongst other goods. This includes a concert bag, stirrers, photocard holders, and keyrings.

스타벅스 x 엔시티
NCT 콘서트백
NCT 머들러
NCT 포토카드 홀더 키링
NCT 베어리스터 인형 키링 pic.twitter.com/dGlFrmUlx4

— 인절미 (@jaeminirenjuni) May 21, 2024

Some Korean fans on Twitter have hinted that the collaboration would be released on May 30, 2024.

Although the news has not been spread through the group’s online socials, international fans have already begun to warn the company that they would be boycotting it.

i’m begging yall pls boycott that nct x starbucks collab it’s not that difficult

— ‎ؘ (@kissjinni) May 21, 2024

Hello SM Entertainment,

We do NOT want NCT DREAM or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or any companies that are financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns.@SMTOWNGLOBAL @NCTsmtown @NCTsmtown_DREAM #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE pic.twitter.com/B8hFOlr27Q

— ⭐ (@pjstronomy) May 21, 2024

Fans have already begun spamming tags.

We do NOT want NCT or any of your artists to associate or promote STARBUCKS or any companies that are financing a genocide in Palestine.

Please take note of our concerns.@SMTOWNGLOBAL @SMTOWN_Idn @NCTsmtown @NCTsmtown_127 @NCTsmtown_DREAM @WayV_official #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE

— َ (@LHCLOOKS) May 21, 2024

The potential collaboration comes at a bad time, where many are boycotting the brand due to it failing to support their workers’ union. Although many on social media believe that Starbucks has funded the genocide against Palestine, it is not the case. Starbucks Workers United originally put out a statement to support Palestine. After facing damage with people calling them anti-Semitic, Starbucks asked the union to take the statement down as many associated the workers’ union with the brand itself. Starbucks eventually sued for copyright infringement to get the statement taken down, leading people to believe that Starbucks was anti-Palestine. Despite this, the brand has not outrightly offered support for Palestine either.