A 4th Generation idol recently gained attention for asking for sponsorship from a brand included in the Pro-Palestine boycott.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is an entity that has helped identify brands that should be targeted in boycotts for many years. Following the worldwide focus placed on the humanitarian issue in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian BDS National Committee shared a list of brands to boycott, placing them in categories.
| BDS
This includes organic targets like McDonald’s and Starbucks, though the latter is not listed on BDS’s boycott list. Recently, K-Pop fans have increased pressure on idols for their intentional and unintentional promotion of the two brands.
Recently, a member of the girl group ICHILLIN’ shared a post on X that gained attention even after its deletion.
ICHILLIN’ | SBS
The seven-member group made their debut in 2021 and includes member Joonie, who recently gained attention for her resemblance to RIIZE’s Sohee.
ICHILLIN’s Joonie
On February 19, Joonie shared two photos on X featuring the idol holding a cup from Starbucks with the caption, “Sponsor me Starbucks.” Not long after, the post was deleted, likely due to fans’ responses informing the idol of the ongoing boycott.
| @I_m_chillin/X | @I_m_chillin/X | @I_m_chillin/X
Netizens expressed their disappointment in the idol, with others stating that harshly shaming the idol for things like her body did not help spread information.
they gon be nugu forever pic.twitter.com/EKt1FuYSrU
— kay •ᴗ• (@kerolurv) February 19, 2024
this is so disappointing joonie we liked you pic.twitter.com/BSsjkcC6ce
— boa fans dungeon (@fawkhyeussy) February 19, 2024
I won’t talk about the situation outside of this tweet but I have to say that yall are so performative with your activism. Yes, Joonie should be called out for supporting starbucks but the way some of you have been slutshaming and harassing her is not the way to do it.
— noah! BACK FROM THE DEAD (@Creativocherry) February 20, 2024
can non willings shut up please? she literally deleted that after 5 minutes which means she didnt know about the boycott before this. slut shaming wont do anything. https://t.co/e25ce5notL
— abae EASY (@aroundypu) February 20, 2024
