On X, international FEARNOTs expressed their frustration after alleged "double standard" in K-pop stans between LE SSERAFIM and other girl groups including aespa, IVE, and NewJeans.
On July 1, McDonald's Japan released a teaser clip announcing its collaboration with K-pop girl group aespa. In the 30-second video, the quartet was seen promoting various products including their collab item for the McCafe menu.
As of writing, the video has amassed over 8M views, as well as an overwhelming 64k likes and 7.4k quotes.
Initially, Japanese consumers expressed their excitement and left positive comments that they would only drink McCafe after aespa became their CF model.
However, international K-pop fans, especially FEARNOTs (LE SSERAFIM fandom) suddenly bombarded the post with negative feedback, seeing how other MYs are showing support for it.
In particular, the thing that's making FEARNOTs upset is that aespa is not receiving the same criticism as LE SSERAFIM did when fans caught them consuming Starbucks.
The K-pop community has been expressing their support to the BDS Movement wherein brands who are aiding and abetting Israel's genocide in Gaza were being boycotted and canceled.
ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Yunjin Faces Massive Backlash for Drinking Starbucks: 'This is disgusting...'
McDonalds, PUMA, Burger King, etc., are amongst the brands in the boycott list — which are also often consumed by K-pop idols. Starbucks is also said to be one of these brands. Thus, fans are actively educating their faves.
FEARNOTs then recalled how LE SSERAFIM has suffered hateful and malicious comments about it, while aespa was being defended by the community.
The fandom even mentioned other girl groups, such as IVE and NewJeans, who are also working with brands labeled as "zionists," yet they didn't experience the massive cancel culture.
LE SSSERAFIM fans are complaining that the hate for the group was so forced and that internet users should apologize to them.
Learning about this complaint, MYs (aespa fandom) jumped to the quartet's defense, explaining that the varying reactions were due to the fact that the incident are two different cases.
In fact, MYs are not in favor of it as well and they are also doing their best to call out SM Entertainment.
While Yunjin was caught drinking Starbucks behind the stage, aespa was selected as a model through SM Entertainment, that's why they don't have full control over it. Even if they don't want to do it, they have to adhere to what was written in their contracts. Thus, it is not right to hate or criticized the members.
But FEARNOTs are not convinced and claimed how hypocritical K-pop stans are, wherein they changed their attitude and opinions, choosing which artist to pull down and put on the pedestal.
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz