On May 31 KST, NCT members Taeyong and Renjun subtly hinted at the group’s ongoing merchandise collaboration with Starbucks Korea.

First, NCT’s leader Taeyong posted a succinct message on his Instagram story: the word “boycott.” Fans speculated that this message was directed toward the collaboration.

Next, Renjun updated his Instagram story with the word “peace” accompanied by specific emojis. These emojis appeared to reference the NCT x Starbucks Korea collaboration.

Meanwhile, the NCT x Starbucks Korea collaboration officially launched on May 30 KST, featuring three limited edition menu items and a variety of merchandise.

Interestingly, many overseas fans—especially in North America—are currently boycotting the global franchise Starbucks due to allegations of its support for Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

When NCT announced their collaboration with Starbucks Korea, North American fans expressed disapproval and vowed to boycott.

However, Korean fans hold a different perspective. They believe that the political stance of Starbucks America does not necessarily apply to Starbucks Korea (SCK COMPANY Co., Ltd.).

The latter operates as a separate corporation, with its owner and largest shareholder being E-MART24 Inc., a subsidiary of the Shinsegae Group.

Although both companies maintain licensing contracts, requiring Starbucks Korea to pay royalties to Starbucks America for using the brand name and logo, the distinction remains.

Source [1]

Actor Lee Min Ho recently shared an unforgettable and embarrassing moment from his early career, revealing how he became a “falling star” at his first Baeksang Arts Awards.

On the December 25th episode of You Quiz on the Block (Episode 274), Lee Min Ho made a guest appearance and reflected on his rise to fame.

The actor, known for his iconic role as Goo Jun Pyo in Boys Over Flowers, won the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, but it wasn’t just his victory that grabbed attention.

Lee Min Ho recalled, "I was attending the Baeksang for the first time, and I was so excited. Since I wasn’t going as Goo Jun Pyo, but as Lee Min Ho, I styled my hair in a perm and was ready to go." However, things took an unexpected turn when he tripped and fell on the red carpet.

He sighed, recalling, "That day, I fell. I fell and created so many memes. Even now, I look back and think, 'How did I walk that quickly on the red carpet?'"

Laughing at his own clumsiness, he admitted, "I was moving at the speed of light, no composure, no focus. Honestly, more than the joy of winning the award, that day was chaotic and so embarrassing for me."

Though his win was a highlight, Lee Min Ho humorously shared that the incident of tripping overshadowed the excitement of his achievement.

It’s safe to say that while the fall became a funny meme, it also became a lesson in humility for the actor, and a moment that fans still remember to this day.

Source: [1]