GOT7 BamBam’s Recent Endorsement Deal Sparks Divided Reactions

GOT7‘s BamBam is known for frequently modeling for brands as an ambassador. Ahgases (also known as iGOT7, GOT7 fans) are always happy for their “young and rich” rapper in all his endeavors.

2024 BBEER 공식 한국/태국 동시 런칭!
안녕하세요. 여러분, 드디어 한국과 태국에 BBEER를 런칭합니다!

-일자: 2024년 4월 22일 월요일
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서울특별시 강남구 논현로 151길 15, 1층

(Thailand 1.) San Nae Deul… pic.twitter.com/hSoiJW75Id

— 뱀뱀 BamBam (@BAMBAMxABYSS) April 19, 2024

His latest endorsement deal has sparked mixed reactions, though.

Recently, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Thailand has been sharing social media posts that have made netizens wonder if BamBam has entered a new promotional deal with the fast-food chain. Previously, KFC retweeted a post advertising 2023-2024 BamBam THE 1ST WORLD TOUR ENCORE [AREA 52] in BANGKOK. 

https://t.co/iOQaPb0tkG

— KFC Thailand (@kfcth) April 5, 2024

Now, KFC Thailand posted an advertisement teasing a new “Friend of KFC Thailand.” It included both the snake emoji and the green heart emoji. The snake emoji is often used to represent BamBam, while the green heart is associated with GOT7.

อุ้ยๆๆๆ เมื่อคืนผู้พันฝันเห็นงูเขียว มาเป็นเพื่อนซี้
พรีเซนเตอร์คนใหม่ เร็วๆ นี้ ลูกเพจดูออกมั้ย ว่าใคร
แอดดูไม่ออกเลย จริงจริ๊งงงงง#KFC #ทำนายฝัน #ฝันเห็นงู #งูเขียว #FriendofKFCThailand #พรีเซนเตอร์KFC#KFC #FriendofKFCThailand pic.twitter.com/8zo3uw1keo

— KFC Thailand (@kfcth) April 18, 2024

Many Ahgases commented excitedly. KFC Thailand also interacted, replying to some, seemingly confirming BamBam’s involvement.

ใช่มั้ยน้าาา >..<

— KFC Thailand (@kfcth) April 18, 2024

พร้อมมากกก

— KFC Thailand (@kfcth) April 18, 2024

นั่นสิใครกันน้า

— KFC Thailand (@kfcth) April 18, 2024

Some have already spotted online and in-person things that indicate KFC Thailand is promoting a new meal with BamBam. The website has started to change, including his current era’s aesthetic. Additionally, there appears to be a limited edition packaging for BamBam’s meal.

However, not all fans will be supporting.

According to Al Jazeera, “At least 34,012 people have been killed and 76,833 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of captives held in Gaza.“ More people worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian crisis and war against Palestine.

Many people are attempting to make a difference by boycotting brands affiliated with Israel. BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is an entity that has helped identify brands that should be targeted in boycotts. The Palestinian BDS National Committee shared a list of brands to boycott, placing them in categories. Some popular fast-food chains are organic targets.

The BDS movement did not initiate these grassroots boycott campaigns but is in support of them due to these brands openly supporting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.

— BDS on organic boycott targets

Yum Brands is the parent company of multiple fast-food brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Yum Brands also invests in Israeli businesses, so any of their businesses are currently boycotted. Its CEO confirmed they have taken a hit due to the “ongoing tensions in the Middle East.”

Top-line sales were impacted by the conflict in the Middle East region, with varying degrees of impact across markets in the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia. …This represented a low-single-digit headwind to Yum’s overall sales growth.

— Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs

Naturally, many Ahgases are concerned about BamBam promoting a brand due to these problematic ties. So they are tagging both him and his company, ABYSS COMPANY, in hopes that he will end his association and promotion of the brand.

Hello ABYSS.. @ABYSS_COMPANY
This is a reminder that we do NOT want BAMBAM @BamBam1A@BAMBAMxABYSS to associate with/promote KFC. The company is financing a genocide in Palestine. Please take note of our concerns and follow this advice.

— Kem (@Tsucikem) April 18, 2024

Pls @BamBam1A chose ur brand wisely…
This brand is Supporting genocide in Palestine @BAMBAMxABYSS #BamBam https://t.co/CAwNOnd6ot

— 라이엔 (@RayeneChetouan) April 19, 2024

Bambam @BamBam1A you can always access it. Please try to understand of what happened. This account is provided on why and how we can avoid supporting genocide that happened in Palestine. I believe you always have a say on everything happen for you. Please reconsider https://t.co/XXmsQNxibp

— Bambam's (@Bambamwaifeu) April 19, 2024

Others are advising the fandom not to hate on BamBam due to his involvement, as he advertised for KFC long before the boycott. He even appeared in a commercial for KFC Thailand when he was a kid, and this caught the attention of JYP Entertainment.

I will only say this once: If you belong to the people that will start beef with bambam on his upcoming collab with kfc thailand because of the boycott, kindly unfollow me. He's been with this brand for a decade and I am already tired of all the fights happening on the timeline. https://t.co/iFITfVH9LM

— ៸៸ seasonal hiatus ✿ (@BBOMDICNVS) April 18, 2024

However, many can’t ignore KFC’s ties to Israel during the ongoing war against Palestine. So, they don’t want their idol to be affiliated with this in any way. They hope to educate him.

idk why people thinks that those who are spreading awareness about the situation are attacking bb when infact they are just educating him to keep him on loop about what is happening. this is what kfc is funding/supporting how can y'all turn a blind eye to this https://t.co/ZdgDE3umqj

— twyne (@pjyaura) April 18, 2024

That's on him. He is chronically online, he sees everyone's tweets he should know better. And if you are honestly trying to defend and baby him read the fcking room.

— sani (@jiaerjnk) April 18, 2024

Others are empathetic with BamBam, revealing they didn’t know until now that KFC was part of the boycott. It’s not as heavily talked about as McDonald’s and Starbucks, which are also globally boycotted.

but tbh I never knew it was on the boycott list up until I was told about it when I was talking with my relatives earlier this year

— bb. (@kunpbam1a) April 19, 2024

Just to be clear, i’m not defending him.

I too had no idea KFC was on the boycott list, despite being online every day, so there's a huge chance that BB is unaware of this as well. What we can do now is educate him on the situation and explain the repercussions. https://t.co/V2HZbRmbKv

— JB x JAYB (@g7FANBOY) April 19, 2024

What do you think about this situation?