“…beyond disappointing and infuriating…”
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
Red Velvet‘s Joy has been hit with major backlash for her activities in a now-deleted post.
Red Velvet’s Joy | @_imyour_joy/Instagram
Recently, a wave of SM Entertainment idols have been hit with major criticism after being used as models to promote McDonald‘s, a brand that is being boycotted.
Top SM Entertainment Idol’s Recent Activities Blasted With Intense Backlash
On January 30, McDonald’s Korea shared a new post with Red Velvet’s Joy, but the tweet was later deleted by the brand.
조이도 괜히 콧노래 부르게
만드는 달콤한 봄🌸
이 봄, 츄러스 만나볼래?
2026년 2월 3일
한입 초코 츄러스
COME BACK!#맥도날드 #해피스낵 #한입초코츄러스 pic.twitter.com/QevfRBOQtz
— 맥도날드(McDonald’s) (@KOR_McDonalds) January 30, 2026
However, before the tweet was deleted, the comments were full of angry netizens sharing their fury at SM Entertainment and also Joy’s decision to star in the promotional video. It has continued to spark a debate about whether the idols have any say in being involved with the brand or not, especially after past idols include veterans like TVXQ‘s Yunho.
gonna put it here
im disappointed and mad as hell https://t.co/Msdb104BPZ pic.twitter.com/k3DhI3C3h7
— love splash! 🍏^^ (@joynamitee) January 30, 2026
what’s with SM artists and their obsession with endorsing McDonald’s. just give the job to somebody else outside the company, no need to pass it down from one act to another https://t.co/k9mgNsm3AL pic.twitter.com/mkkjaeBdTW
— kirsten dunst’s sasaeng (@kulibuncis) January 30, 2026
this is beyond disappointing and infuriating. sm has gotten backlash EVERY TIME their artist has done this sponsorship. sorry, but sm knows and just doesn’t care. no one should defend this. https://t.co/WpKKDNUENq
— reina☔️ (@AWHlTENIGHT) January 30, 2026
Dear SM stan,
Your fave is NEXT! 😆 https://t.co/kTQHDOLcyT
— MARKUS LEE¹⁹⁹⁹ #TheFirstfruit 🍏🫑 (@NotYourM__arkf) January 30, 2026
sm does everything to ruin the rv girls because why the hell are u making them collab with mcdonalds? making literal blood money https://t.co/tE9xCjJDIo
— finney 🪄 (@ningningeek) January 30, 2026
The original video is still available on social media after being shared by fans.
#조이 맥도날드 한입 초코 츄러스 광고 너무 예쁘다앙 완전 봄이야 😍💚💚🌸🌸🍫💝 pic.twitter.com/RDRgAGNm8i
— 맑음쨩 🍏 (@zoooie_1) January 30, 2026
Netizens continue to voice anger and concerns about SM Entertainment’s links to the brand.
Source: @KOR_McDonalds (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6)
Red Velvet