[T/W: mentions of genocide, disturbing content]

Minho is currently receiving criticism for his newest post on Instagram, where the idol included a brand that is being boycotted globally.

Here's what happened.

SHINee Minho Criticized for Including Starbucks on Instagram Post

On February 29, Minho uploaded a post on his official Instagram account with the caption, "Leisure."

According to the photos, the "Ring Ding Dong" singer was seen enjoying his time at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, in Japan.

While the post's content seemed harmless, international netizens were distressed by Minho's first photo. The image showed Minho drinking a cup from the world's largest coffeehouse chain Starbucks.

Distraught users were quick to react to Minho's post, advising him to avoid buying or posting anything related to the brand and informing him of its ongoing boycott. Read their comments below:

• "Minho dear we love you, but there is an ongoing Starbucks boycott. Please don't post pics with Starbucks in it."
• "We are boycotting that brand Minho please."
• "Minho we are boycotting Starbucks darling. They are financing Israel's genocide... Please listen to your international fans."
• "Not the Starbucks Minho stop disappointing us like. It's so shameful at this point."
• "There's an ongoing Starbucks boycott, Minho. Don't share pics with that brand on it."
• "Not the Starbucks please that company is financing a genocide in Palestine."
• "Now why are you drinking Starbucks? Sigh."
• "With everything that's going on you shouldn't support them, you're way better than that!"
• "Minho my dearest pls drink something else than Starbucks since we're boycotting it."
• "Minho, please educate yourself and be more aware of the ongoing genocide in Palestine that's been happening for 76 years."

Since October 2023, Starbucks has been accused of supporting the genocide in Gaza, after the brand had filed a lawsuit against workers supporting Palestine. The Starbucks Workers United, a worker-led union, expressed its stand with Palestine through a social media post.

However, Starbucks denounced the Workers United for using the brand's name, logo, and turned down any association with the union's stance on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. This was trailed by its lawsuit against the union for trademark infringement.

Eventually, this led netizens to deem Starbucks as siding with Israel, sparking a worldwide boycott.

The Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) National Committee also classified which brands should be boycotted, including fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Papa Johns, and many more.

Amid the global disorder, K-pop fans have been closely observant regarding idols who buy products from Starbucks. Singers such as Jeon Somi, ENHYPEN Jake, ICHILLIN' Joonie, SHINee Key, and many more went through criticism for posting content related to the boycotted brands.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by Riely Miller