'Queen of Tears' actor Park Sung Hoon faces backlash over controversial brand endorsement

Actor Park Sung Hoon has ignited a storm of controversy following his recent announcement of a collaboration with fast-food giant Burger King, leaving many fans divided and disappointed. The announcement, made via an Instagram video captioned "Coming Soon", showcased Park's trademark charisma and acting skills, cleverly teasing the collaboration with a playful twist on the word ‘Ragu’.
While some fans were awed by Park's performance and eagerly anticipated the partnership, a significant faction expressed deep dismay over his choice of brand. Burger King, notably listed on the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement's boycott list in solidarity with Palestine, has drawn criticism for its Israeli franchise's alleged provision of free meals to the military during operations in Gaza.
This backdrop fueled a flood of comments on Park's post, with disappointed fans urging him to reconsider his endorsement in alignment with the boycott's principles. The backlash didn't confine itself to Instagram alone; it spilled over onto various social media platforms, where discussions intensified over the ethics of endorsing brands implicated in global controversies.
Critics pointed out a pattern wherein international brands, leveraging the expansive reach of Korean entertainment stars, seemingly sidestepped accountability amidst such controversial affiliations. This isn't the first instance of such controversy in the K-pop sphere, as aespa faced similar scrutiny following their collaboration with McDonald’s.