Do you believe it is right to relentlessly criticize idols that advertise for brands on the boycott list?

    Do you think it's right? 24

    1. Yes, there's no excuse. (4) 17%
    2. No, it has no real impact. (20) 83%

    Just wondering.


    I personally think no. It doesn't really do anything and I feel that much of the criticism is performative (from most fandoms). While some fans actually do care about the war and the toll it takes on the affected citizens, there are many other fans that weaponize it for the sake of fandom discourse. I personally believe it's a much better use of time to actively donate and support organizations that help deal with the devastating impacts of the war than it is to criticize idols that make very little to no difference.


    Example? Cocacola. It is on the boycott list and has been there for a while, I think. Despite all the boycotting that's happening against it, its profits/income didn't even take a dip in the second half of this year.



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    Of course, I’d prefer if an idol or group I like shared some of the values and concerns that are important to me. But if the issue at hand is something extremely significant, I wouldn’t voice it negatively on social media I’d simply choose not to follow or support that idol or group moving forward. If it’s not the most critical issue but still something I care about, my reaction would be the same, the only difference might be that I’d still listen to their music. In the end, boycotts etc. do matter, but turning them into public shaming or harsh criticism on social media feels a bit excessive to me.

    Quote from icyruios

    If I were to boycott every problematic thing I have nothing to eat to drink and to use

    This too.


    I just went over the official boycott list and there are companies that release products that we use on a daily basis on there. There's Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, General Electric, Google, HP, Intel, etc and I'm literally typing from a Dell computer WITH an Intel CPU on the Microsoft browser and I'm very much pro-peace.

    Quote from CaraFIMIE

    This too.


    I just went over the official boycott list and there are companies that release products that we use on a daily basis on there. There's Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, General Electric, Google, HP, Intel, etc and I'm literally typing from a Dell computer WITH an Intel CPU on the Microsoft browser and I'm very much pro-peace.

    If you want to boycott everything you probably won't be able to live normally in our normal society


    But if you selectively boycott then I think it's very hypocritical and ironic of you to do so and to call out idols who uses the products of those companies


    Basically this whole thing seems extremely performative and stupid.


    I just claimed my free birthday cake from Starbucks literally a few hours ago and I don't give two shits about some dumbass boycott and if you are going to call me out on it I better see you boycott EVERY single company product in that list

    Quote from CaraFIMIE

    This too.


    I just went over the official boycott list and there are companies that release products that we use on a daily basis on there. There's Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, General Electric, Google, HP, Intel, etc and I'm literally typing from a Dell computer WITH an Intel CPU on the Microsoft browser and I'm very much pro-peace.


    Boycotting Amazon while using the internet is already a challenge


    I Tried to Block Amazon From My Life. It Was Impossible
    Week 1: Amazon Apparently, I am a masochist. I am on a mission to live without the tech giants—to discover whether such a thing is even possible. Not just
    gizmodo.com

  • AllKill VIP

    Yes, you can criticize. No, I wouldn't blame anyone for having to do things that they may not want to.


    I say no because you can't expect everyone to have your values and your priorities. Even if they agree that you in general, it's not realistic to really expect them to have the power to boycott every job they get. Most things we participate in probably have some level of abuse somewhere along the way, and it's just not realistic to boycott everything that abuses something. Maybe boycotting Coca-Cola is high on your list of priorities, but it's probably not high on the list of every person, even those that agree with you.


    People need to pick and choose their battles because individuals, no matter how famous, can only do so much.

    Quote from Varenka

    Yes, you can criticize. No, I wouldn't blame anyone for having to do things that they may not want to.


    I say no because you can't expect everyone to have your values and your priorities. Even if they agree that you in general, it's not realistic to really expect them to have the power to boycott every job they get. Most things we participate in probably have some level of abuse somewhere along the way, and it's just not realistic to boycott everything that abuses something. Maybe boycotting Coca-Cola is high on your list of priorities, but it's probably not high on the list of every person, even those that agree with you.


    People need to pick and choose their battles because individuals, no matter how famous, can only do so much.

    this. also people have their own reasons and limits for boycotting, it’s not always as simple as doing everything or nothing.

  • AllKill VIP
    Quote from echo-sage

    this. also people have their own reasons and limits for boycotting, it’s not always as simple as doing everything or nothing.

    Exactly. I'm sure many Americans are against what's happening to the Gazans, but how many are withholding their federal tax dollars and risking a few years in a federal camp or minimum-security prison? And then think about people who want to not lose their living for helping companies that are even further than the American government in its support.

    The hate trains towards certain idols last year was mainly used for stan wars because people didn't actually care. I remember the stans that were starting the hate trains had the group they follow advertise for brands on the list. That made me realize it was never about the cause but more of an excuse to attack idols they don't like.


    I think we shouldn't expect much from idols when it comes to certain causes. If you take a look at western entertainers only a few of them actually signed the cease fire and many of them were either quiet or defended Israel. So, why should we expect idols to be vocal or not advertise for companies on the list when western entertainers stay away from topic?


    As fans, we shouldn't expect idols to be vocal about brands on the list when most entertainers aren't. I think we should only get on idols if they do something racist, homophobic, or other ignorant things they can control.

  • AllKill VIP

    Local politics and economics matter more. They have a tough job dodging the ire of domestic fans already. What's the upside in speaking up on international politics? International Kpop fans are delusional.


    Yes, Kpop wants to expand in the west, but that's more of what the Kpop companies want. A lot of idols want domestic fame and popularity. They can have a stable career just touring and performing in E. and SE Asia.

    I'm the only one who voted yes? lol


    I've said it before - everyone has the right to criticise/boycott/cancel anybody they want to for whatever reason they want to - that's individual rights and freedom of expression

    BUT the opposite is also true that you can also defend or support an idol no matter what


    if you don't like the way an idol eats a strawberry and you want to cancel them - great it's your choice

    if you don't like when if an idol says the N word great it's your choice

    if you want to continue to support someone who's done the above or even if they have a sexual assault conviction next to their name - great again it's your choice


    however just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean other people can't also criticise you for doing so.

    For example if someone continued to support Seungri I would question that person's moral character and think twice about their values and if they aligned with my own.


    The other thing you mentioned is the word "relentlessly" - criticism is valid - calling someone out is valid - the question is whether something crosses the line into harrassment or bullying - obviously that is subejctive and everybody will have their own opinions as to what crosses a line. I would argue that even relentlessly criticising someone is acceptable as long as that criticism does not become harrassment

    I have boycotted a lot of products and will continue doing so. I one day randomly realised that I've been boycotting McDonald's and many American products since the Iraq war(??). I forgot I was boycotting since it was so long ago. Lol.


    With idols I don't really care what they do. A lot of them are bound by contracts and their company does whatever they want. It's my choice to boycott and I don't hold anyone else responsible for the choices I make.


    I will say stray kids fandom has boycotted a couple of things very successfully including their English debut and that stupid cola song. The company is definitely not stupid enough to take risks anymore. They want money more then anything.

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