LE SSERAFIM Yunjin’s Recent Post Following “Starbucks” Controversy Angers Netizens

LE SSERAFIM‘s Yunjin has found herself at the center of a controversy that has disappointed fans and netizens — especially international ones. The star was spotted sipping from a Starbucks cup while she was entering the IU concert venue, where LE SSERAFIM were invited as a guest.

Starbucks has been under fire since November 2023 following allegations of promoting anti-Palestine ideals and reportedly terminating employees who expressed support for Palestine on social media. This led to a widespread boycott aimed at stopping the company’s alleged contributions to the ongoing genocide.

Starbucks fires 2,000 employees due to boycotts. pic.twitter.com/aBDlfjR1tt

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) March 5, 2024

Yunjin’s casual consumption of Starbucks stirred up a storm among fans who are deeply concerned about the implications of such actions, especially coming from an influential K-Pop idol.

yunjin.. come the fuck on. you know better.. pic.twitter.com/TGOrI1n8Qj

— ri (@hyevrs) March 9, 2024

yunjin with starbucks im tired pic.twitter.com/qtpMIxA2sC

— ًhalle ☆ (@endedbyyoongi) March 9, 2024

The disappointment among fans is not unwarranted, given Yunjin’s history with the brand. She had previously faced backlash for a now-deleted Instagram post featuring a Starbucks cup, an incident that fans hoped had taught the idol about the gravity of the situation. However, her recent appearance with the brand has reignited criticism, with fans accusing her of ignorance regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

yunjin's sister unliked noah's shitty zionist post after backlash, hybe protest trucks+hastags trending 24/7, her friends, labelmates & sister were called out & they responded to it but this is still the THIRD time we're seeing her with sb, we should be holding her accountable. pic.twitter.com/GnVEK7BgyO

— pio makes it look easy (@chaerizardd) March 10, 2024

there’s something so sinister about saying that you wanna change the idol industry only to be seen walking down the street with starbucks during a known boycott

— lyla ★ seeing laufey (@koobimiu) March 10, 2024

Adding to the fire, Yunjin’s post on Weverse following the end of LE SSERAFIM’s EASY era did little to quell the discontent.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HUH YUNJIN (@jenaissante)

In her message, Yunjin reflects on the recent promotions, expressing gratitude towards everyone involved in the album and sharing her personal growth since the group’s debut. She acknowledges the louder voices of their fanbase, Fearnot, and mentions her ongoing journey of learning and making mistakes.

However, what has particularly irked fans is the absence of a direct apology or acknowledgment of the Starbucks controversy. Yunjin’s vague allusions to making mistakes and wanting to share her growth process with fans have been perceived as insufficient.

i hope yunjin addresses this issue even if its in a subtle way. that wv post was way too vague for us to assume things and i keep overthinking and its driving me insane.

— am⁹⁺⁵ | ramadan break | free (@euncherry_) March 11, 2024

yeah yunjin should be aware that her leaving things like this will leave a bad taste in people's mouths, if she was referring to what she had done in that post then tbh it's too vague to even be considered vague, not even a "sorry" for causing any disappointment

— the only important lesbian yunjin fan (@queerdomrv) March 11, 2024

im disappointed with yunjin as much as the next person, and im still is… despite her weverse post but my interpretation of her posting them in english is to also let us know… to ensure that there is no mistranslation and that she was able to express herself clearly.. i know she…

— k ᰔ (@yunjintheist) March 11, 2024

‘ she cant directly mention the starbucks thing or apologise because of her company/ because shes under hybe!!’ mind you her peer from the same label hybe, who is under a company notoriously known for controlling him and his group, was able to directly apologise for it https://t.co/459g7hmRqD

— (@daesertrose) March 11, 2024

Netizens feel that a more explicit apology and a clearer stance on the controversy would have been more appropriate, considering the idol’s influence and the sensitivity of the issue at hand.

Hi everyone it’s Yunjin.

Our long-awaited EASY promotion is already over. A lot of people’s blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into this album — our company, staff, directors, members! Thank you so much for your hard work.

Time is such a fickle thing. The months waiting for Feb 19th felt like swimming in honey, but the three weeks following it melted in the blink of an eye.

This album was… not easy, but also not hard; exhausting, but somehow never too exhausting for laughter; gratifying but also deeply humbling.

But I noticed that Fearnot’s voices have gotten a lot louder. Amidst gratitude, I also strangely saw myself in you all. At the beginning of our debut, I was (surprising, I know!) very shy, and remember often lowering my voice in fear of being intrusive and unpleasant to those around me. Not to say I am now completely free of that anxiety, but I suppose when we exchange good influences, even our voices can grow together like this. In our own space, at our own pace so that we can shout out a more proud name when we meet again.

I am still so lacking and have so much to learn. I am worlds away from understanding this one world. I will make countless mistakes and countless redemptions, yet I know that proficiency and perfection will stay a lifelong battle. Still, I want to keep trying, falling, and getting back on my feet, and — although there are things I can and cannot say — I also want to share this process with you. That way, when you stumble, you too can find the courage to stand up again. And perhaps in the future, we both will have grown into the version of us of which we dream.

Man, I’m writing this like we’re not seeing each other again, but you know it’s not like that, right? LOL I’ll see you soon. Cause, like you, we are everywhere and anywhere.

With love, Yunjin

— Yunjin’s post via Weverse

As the situation unfolds, fans and netizens wait to see if Yunjin will address the controversy more directly in the future.