A simple act of enjoying Starbucks has landed LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin, along with other idols like ENHYPEN’s Jake and Jeon Somi, in hot water with some international fans. The controversy began to boil over on March 11th when online communities started circulating posts about Huh Yunjin being attacked for her choice of beverage.
Comments flooding Huh Yunjin’s Instagram ranged from urging “Please boycott Starbucks and educate yourself” to asking her “to use her influence right.” Critics didn’t stop there, with demands like “Stop drinking Starbucks beverages” and calls for a “public apology.”
The backlash isn’t unique to Huh Yunjin. Jake found himself in the midst of a similar storm during a live broadcast when he sipped on Starbucks, prompting apologies after facing fan protests that “You shouldn’t consume Starbucks.” Jeon Somi, too, faced vitriol for merely showcasing a Starbucks-logoed tumbler in a makeup tutorial on social media.
This wave of criticism has also impacted other idols, including BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Jennie, Red Velvet’s Seulgi, aespa’s Winter, and Seventeen’s Hoshi, sparking a broader discussion within the fandom.
The root of the controversy traces back to last October when the Starbucks union voiced support for Palestine on social media, leading to Starbucks suing its own union for trademark infringement. This legal move has since brewed a boycott within the Arab countries, branding Starbucks as a “pro-Israel” company.
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