ENHYPEN member Jake recently faced backlash after being seen drinking from a Starbucks cup during a live broadcast earlier this month.
@hyeinlurve #jake #enhypen #enha #jakeenhypen #starbucks🤮 . . . . . jake drinking starbucks, his apology❤️🩹
♬ “Slut!” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift
What did Jake do?
The issue with Starbucks began when it took legal action against its own workers’ union. This union had expressed support for Palestine, and Starbucks’ decision to sue them for doing so sparked controversy. The company, known for its liberal, progressive image, faced criticism for what appeared to be a lack of support for a humanitarian cause. Consequently, many people in the U.S. started boycotting Starbucks, criticizing the company for not standing with the oppressed and for suing its employees over their social media posts.
Starbucks has since issued a statement denying any political affiliations. The company also refuted claims that it is pro-Israel or involved in funding the conflict in Gaza. Additionally, Starbucks clarified that it has no branches in either Gaza or Israel.
When fans saw Jake’s Starbucks cup, they left comments on his live broadcast. Some told him not to buy Starbucks anymore “as it sponsors massacres in Gaza.” Others demanded that he apologize and educate himself. Jake noticed their comments and transferred his drink into a glass cup, but that did little to quell the backlash. He eventually decided to put his drink away altogether.
Later, he left a comment on a fan’s Weverse post about the incident. He apologized and promised ENGENEs it wouldn’t happen again.
@enniskey Starbucks Just Lost $11B Because of ONE Tweet!! 😱💸 #starbucks #israel #palestine #boycottstarbucks
K-netizens react
While international fans were pleased with the idol’s apology, K-netizens weren’t. They argued that Jake‘s actions shouldn’t be linked to the global boycott because Starbucks Korea operates independently from its American counterpart, Starbucks Coffee Company.
Starbucks Korea started as a 50/50 joint venture in 1999, co-owned by Shinsegae Group’s E-Mart Inc. and Starbucks Coffee Company. In 2021, Starbucks Coffee Company sold its entire 50% share. This increased E-Mart Inc.’s ownership to 67.5% as they acquired an additional 17.5%. GIC Private Limited, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, snapped up the remaining 32.5%. Understanding this is key to grasping Starbucks’ operations in different international markets.
K-netizens also noted that international fans are quick to criticize idols over such issues but often remain silent on other matters, like Korea’s historical and territorial disputes with Japan. This indicates that K-netizens believe international fans partake in selective activism, not fully comprehending all relevant issues.
Jake isn’t the only artist who has faced criticism for patronizing Starbucks. In December 2023, Jeon Somi received immense backlash for a video in which she was seen sipping from a Starbucks cup, leading to the closure of several of her largest fan sites. Although Somi didn’t publicly address the issue, she silently removed the video from her TikTok account. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The backlash Jake received was intense. Source: X/@strawbeery_kidz.
