In a recent turn of events, NCT's Taeyong has seemingly responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding the group's collaboration with Starbucks.
The coffee chain has faced backlash and calls for boycott from fans due to its inclusion in the boycott list by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement amid the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
BOYCOTT NCT X STARBUCKS COLLAB. Jangan ada siapa pun yang cakap “tapi tu contract company yang buat,diorang ikut je 🥹” OII SEBAB KORANG SELALU HYPE AND JILAT THAT COMPANY TU LA DIORANG BUAT COLLAB BUKAN-BUKAN. Please choose humanity over your own interests. FREE PALESTINE pic.twitter.com/lB8DOxYMP8
— na jae's (ia) 🇵🇸 (@jjmnnie) May 29, 2024
Amidst the discussions and debates about the Starbucks collaboration, Taeyong took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
Hello, SM Entertainment
— ًً (@LJNFEED) May 29, 2024
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 @SMTOWN_Idn #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE pic.twitter.com/gAHbcDCMSx
In a now-deleted Instagram story, Taeyong posted a photo with the word "Boycott" on it, apparently addressing the concerns raised by fans regarding the collaboration. This move by Taeyong caught the attention of netizens and fans, who quickly shared screenshots of the post across social media platforms.
“kpop idols arent allowed to speak up!” okay explain this then. thank you taeyong pic.twitter.com/J9EXNzGy9K
— isi ༄ 🍉 SAW SVT (@onlybngchan) May 30, 2024
IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: NCT Taeyong's 'TAP' MV Controversy Explodes Online - 'Honestly it was ...' Fans of NCT and Taeyong expressed their support and appreciation for his apparent stance on the matter. Many saw Taeyong's post as a gesture of solidarity with fans' concerns and the larger issues surrounding the Starbucks controversy.
LOL, it must be people from SM who delete it!
— 🌹Nyo (@ty_cherie) May 30, 2024
Thank you for take a stand and speak up, Lee Taeyong. I will continue boycott the product!✊🏻
Taeyong has stopped drinking SB since the boycott started and now even he’s in the military and has only few hours to use his phone he’s still being the only one who speak up and posting it on his IG declaring that he’s indeed boycotting sb and NOT supporting any collaboration. pic.twitter.com/kR4F4pMq1v
— Din (@Ieetaesthetic) May 30, 2024
taeyong deleted his story so i have compiled several time-stamped screenshots of it. it remained up for about 20 mins pic.twitter.com/DhHzn20i48
— TAEYONG: TY TRACK in Cinemas Oct 16 and 19 (@podofskywhales) May 30, 2024
taeyong posting this to get nctzens to boycott it but it’s now deleted.. SM probably shut him up https://t.co/NNsMg6hdT4 pic.twitter.com/pmSxmly4V4
— ☆ (@khiawings) May 30, 2024
However, there were also speculations that Taeyong might have been asked to delete the post, considering the sensitive nature of the collaboration and the group's ties with SM Entertainment.
The swift deletion of Taeyong's Instagram story raised questions among netizens about the reasons behind it. Some speculated that it could be related to pressure from the group's management or concerns about potential repercussions from the collaboration.
However, no official statement has been released regarding Taeyong's post or its deletion, leaving room for continued discussions and speculations within the fan community.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
