Netizens Attempt To Boycott Korean Celebrities Providing Food To Protesters Backfires

Amid the impeachment rallies in Korea, some people have been calling for a boycott against Korean celebrities who have shown support for the protests.

After South Korea’s President Yoon Seok Yeol declared martial law on December 3, many celebrities and citizens showed support by paying for food and drinks near the rallies.

On December 13, IU’s agency stated, “We have prepared food and hot packs in hopes of making things a bit warmer for the fans who are attending the rally holding the light sticks with cold hands.”

IU Provides Food And More For Protesters At South Korean President’s Impeachment Rallies

IU pre-ordered 200 pieces of bread, 100 rice cakes, 200 drinks, and 200 bowls of gukbap (a Korean dish made by putting cooked rice into hot soup or boiling rice in soup) at five stores in Yeouido.

Many other celebrities, including movie director Park Chan Wook, Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, and NewJeans, also pre-ordered food for fans and citizens.

However, some netizens called for a boycott against the brands these celebrities worked with, listing the names of brands and products that they were models for.

With this, one brand listed told media outlet Ilgan Sports, “We saw the related news, but there was no significant change in sales over the weekend,” shutting down any boycott protests.

Korean netizens who saw that starting a boycott was unnecessary, especially during a time like this.

• “You do know what boycott means, right?”
• “You didn’t even buy from those brands in the first place. What’s with all these boycott enthusiasts…”
• “I don’t think it’s going to have any effect…”
• “The people who talk about boycotting are not in their right minds…they are not someone that can support someone in the first place.”
• “What do you mean boycott? You didn’t even spend any money…”
• “I agree…you have to have spent money to be able to say something.”
• “There were no changes in sales….”
• “Do you even know what boycotting is…”
• “Boycotting that has no effect whatsoever…”