NCT’s Taeyong, Renjun seemingly call for “boycott” of group’s Starbucks collaboration in cryptic posts

31 May, 2024

nct taeyong renjun boycott starbucks collaboration

NCT members Taeyong and Renjun have uploaded cryptic posts seemingly calling for fans to “boycott” the band’s new collaboration with Starbucks.

READ MORE: NCT’s Doyoung on ‘Youth’: “I made a conscious effort to really show who I am”

The boyband’s new collaboration with Starbucks, which first hit South Korean shelves yesterday (May 30), features an array of NCT-themed merchandise, such as a drink called the Neo Cool Tasty Plum Fizzio, a Neo Croissant Tumble, a round French pastry packaged like a retro-infused vinyl album and more.

“By capturing NCT’s identity, these products will offer a different kind of entertainment to those who purchase them,” SM Entertainment said of the new project in a statement. According to The Korea Times, a number of the items from the collections have already sold out.

취향으로 가득 채운 시즈니 버디의 캐비닛

NCT + STARBUCKS MD는 5월 30일 출시합니다.
#RechargeNeoEnergy #2024서머e프리퀀시 #2024summerefrequency #Starbucks #StarbucksKorea #스타벅스 #스타벅스그램 pic.twitter.com/yiNp2Ld2RH

— starbuckskorea (@StarbucksKorea) May 29, 2024

However, two members of the boy group – namely Taeyong and Renjun – have seemingly voiced their opposition to the controversial collaboration. Notably, per Vox, there has been calls to boycott Starbucks over its alleged and perceived support of Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Taeyong took to his personal Instagram account to upload a blank Story with the word “boycott”. Renjun, on the other hand, posted a blank Story on his Instagram with the word “peace”, alongside emojis of a coffee cup, a broken heart and a cross.

Both stories were promptly deleted shortly after they were uploaded. SM Entertainment has yet to comment on the boycott or on the members’ posts.