Hyeri, a popular idol actress, found herself embroiled in controversy after posting a promotional photo on her personal social media account endorsing KFC’s new menu.
In the now-deleted post, Hyeri can be seen posing with a hamburger as part of an advertisement shoot for KFC. However, the innocent promotional gesture quickly turned sour as overseas fans supporting Palestine flooded her Instagram with criticism.
Controversial Allegations
Critics accused KFC of supporting the conflict in Palestine, urging people to boycott the fast-food chain. The backlash extended to Hyeri, expressing disappointment in her association with the brand amid such allegations.
Past Precedents
The incident draws parallels to previous controversies involving celebrities endorsing Starbucks. Similar hate comments were directed towards those who posted photos of consuming Starbucks beverages due to allegations of the company’s support for the conflict in Palestine.
Corporate Response
While Starbucks has addressed such allegations, stating they do not support government or military operations with their funds, the controversy surrounding KFC’s alleged involvement in the conflict remains unresolved. Starbucks clarified their stance, affirming its withdrawal from Israel in 2003 and the absence of operational stores in the region.
Amid the uproar, Hyeri’s post was swiftly removed from her Instagram account, but the aftermath of the “ad controversy” continues to stir debate on social media platforms.
