BTS faces boycott calls as McDonald's USA TinyTAN collab slammed over ties to Israel-Palestine conflict
After their viral 2021 collab - an exclusive BTS Meal and two sold-out merchandise drops - the fast food giant is back with another partnership. This time, McDonald's USA is offering BTS-inspired TinyTAN toys. While fans may have expected cheers, what followed was a storm. It's important to note that no official announcement of the collab has been made; fans are reacting based solely on the photo that went viral online.
Backlash erupts over McDonald's x BTS collab
McDonald's set off a firestorm with a single cryptic teaser - an aerial shot of a Happy Meal box alongside seven TinyTAN minifigures. What could have been a harmless promo instantly became the flashpoint, sparking outrage among boycotters. Many who have accused McDonald's of sponsoring the Israel-Palestine conflict, have been calling for the boycott of this new collab.
Almost overnight, boycott calls flooded social media, dragging the group into a controversy they had no hand in. Yet ARMYs were quick to push back, insisting that the partnership lies strictly between HYBE and McDonald's, not the members themselves.
Does BTS have control over TinyTAN?
The answer is no. Despite being influenced by BTS, HYBE is the company behind TinyTAN. The members do not directly participate in decision-making; instead, the corporation manages its commercialization, from toys to international partnerships.
Why is BTS facing backlash?
Fresh out of military service, many fans hoped the group would use their voices to address the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Their silence - combined with the timing of this McDonald's collab - has left some accusing the members of being complicit, even though the partnership is handled by their label.
Boycott MCD and do not hype this collab. wdc if it's Tiny Tan, you all are spineless enough to sell out everything linked with bts. The responsibility falls on @BTS_twt @bts_bighit for this one as well. Worst decision after worst decision. It is humiliating. https://t.co/RFX9tyEi5t pic.twitter.com/krudJRdhmS
NO!!! STOP THE COLLAB I LOVE BTS BUT MCDS SUPPORTS ISRAEL PLEASE HALT THE COLLAB!! #SpeakYourselfBTS #HYBEDivestFromZionism https://t.co/mBlV7PflO6 pic.twitter.com/R33nLG8nzl
ARMY defends BTS
On the other side, a massive section of the fandom fiercely spoke up against the hate the 7 men have been receiving. Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) argue that critics are unfairly dragging BTS into geopolitical battles far beyond their control.
More think pieces and last straws for the next month. https://t.co/qB8vlqLOlP pic.twitter.com/RirWjRdMaA
Many are even criticizing what they see as the weaponization of Palestinian misery - using a genuine human tragedy as ammunition to drive anti-BTS sentiment, all while conveniently ignoring the activities of their own favorite musicians.
these two ss prove that gen0cide was used as fw material by people only to tarnish bts. pic.twitter.com/3ACAKowAFv
Again proved blinks dgaf about gaza they only using gaza for fanwars @Venompinks5255 fu** you bi*** pic.twitter.com/7lzVujNYNl
More about McDonald's USA and TinyTAN collab
BTS' first McDonald's partnership in 2021 caused a worldwide frenzy. The one-of-a-kind meal, which included ten chicken McNuggets, fries, Coke, and limited-edition Sweet Chili and Cajun sauces, sold out in minutes across numerous regions.
Fans hoarded the package, reselling it online for hundreds of dollars, with a single nugget shaped like an Among Us team member fetching roughly $100,000 USD. The frenzy was so widespread that McDonald's global sales increased by 40 percent.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
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