EXO member Suho is being called out on social media by pro-Palestinian K-Pop fans for posting about McDonald’s.
On August 2, KST, a fan posted a picture of Suho on social media after spotting him at a physical McDonald’s store.
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.
[240802] SUHO 벏옳
-‘I ate McDonald’s for the first time in a year and a half’
-‘The last time was a year plus back in Gyeongju😅’Reply from ARTIST
👤: What do you live off of then ,,,,?
🐰: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋDew 💧-‘I’ve had Five Guys and In N Out about 3 times’
Reply from… pic.twitter.com/HPMXwd5JzV
— The KJM Base¹ ᵗᵒ ³ (@TheKJM_Base) August 2, 2024
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.
🇮🇱 McDonald’s is providing free food distribution to the Israel Defense Forces. pic.twitter.com/DKzF5sP4bA
— X News Explorer (@XNewsExplorer) October 12, 2023
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.
We’re not falling for it. By directly acquiring the 200+ Israeli branches, McDonald’s has become more, not less, complicit in Israel’s genocide and underlying system of apartheid. McDonald’s’ move to gain more “control over its brand” won’t cut it.https://t.co/rVKpiK34tC
— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) April 8, 2024
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.
Why there’s no big accounts talking about this and trying to make him know about what happened in the world!!!!!!! Suho we all know that u supporting Palestine but u can’t share this? If u can’t boycott then at least don’t share about any brand!!!#SUHO pic.twitter.com/VONaDYkzrD
— 🕊️🇵🇸 (@zxvnr_) August 2, 2024
I’m so confused. I heard that suho and chuu participated in a fundraiser for Palestine. Now suho is eating McDonald’s and promoting it? I’m out of words honestly. And he mentioned that he hasn’t eaten mcd for a year and a half so why are you eating it now 🙁 oh my god. pic.twitter.com/0HL7tzRZoA
— Taleen⁷ | Check pinned 🍉 (@tallume_07) August 2, 2024
no way suho is eating mcdonald’s and posting pictures on bubble about it??!! he knows 100% about what’s happening in palestine and why everyone is boycotting. he even did a donation concert thing for palestine so why would he even do that
— 🇵🇸 (@wooyo_bestie) August 2, 2024
Huh??? Didn’t suho from exo participated in a fundraiser for Palestine???
Why is he eating and promoting McDonald’s now ????— T_T💜🍉 (@HOBIE__LISA) August 2, 2024
yeah this shit hurts even more knowing he donated to gaza like tf you doing suho? https://t.co/Y8NuhP9DZA
— 🤨🇵🇸 (@pcyc0re) August 2, 2024
Hello EXO
Please listen to the international fans, don’t be ignorant and tone deaf. What is happening in Gaza is a very serious issue, so please stop funding companies that support people who are hurting them. #BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE#SUHO #수호 #EXO #엑소 @weareoneEXO— ohdks엑소❤️🩹 (@apriliaaone__) August 2, 2024
Previously, BTS member V also received pushback over his post about McDonald’s. You can read more about it here.
