Speculation started when fans shared an image that seems to show Mark on promotional material for a new McDonald’s pizza. The poster, which appeared on social media on September 9, has a QR code that leads to an inactive page, causing further questions about its legitimacy.
Typically, news of a high-profile endorsement would be seen as a significant achievement. However, McDonald’s has drawn wide criticism and boycotts related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The backlash grew after reports confirmed that McDonald’s Israel provided free meals to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and hospitals. Newsweek reported that over 100,000 meals were given out, with some restaurants dedicated to this effort.
Even though McDonald’s stated that local franchises operate independently, the controversy has spread globally. The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Movement does not officially list McDonald’s as a boycott target but has placed it in the “encouraged organic boycott” category.
Following the release of the reel, some fans expressed disappointment in the collaboration. Critics argued that SM Entertainment and Mark should have known about the controversy surrounding the brand and the sensitivity of the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. Hashtags calling for accountability trended in several regions as discussions grew on social media.
stop blaming a company for the actions of a 26 years old. Palestine just got bombed a couple days ago it was every fucking where on the internet
— ꨄ︎ (@kiittymark) September 9, 2025
mark has definitely heard about the boycotting list, this is is just disgusting and ignorant
i better not see anyone defending him 😭 he a grown man he knows what he is doing and if collaborating with a brand that funds a genocide happening in my country, he can fuck off
— nini (@jn1orider) September 9, 2025
At the same time, many fans rallied to defend Mark. Supporters noted that endorsement decisions usually come from the agency and corporate level, not the artist directly. Others emphasized that McDonald’s is a global brand with millions of customers and argued that the criticism unfairly places political responsibility on one artist.
NCT! REPEAT AFTER ME‼️
We do NOT want MARK or any of your artists to associate or promote McDonald’s, or any companies that are financing a genocide in Palestine.@SMTOWNGLOBAL @NCTsmtown @NCTsmtown_127 @NCTsmtown_DREAM#MARK #SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE#SpeakUpNCT
— ON || NCT MENFESS (@nct_menfess) September 10, 2025
People cancelling mark lee for promoting that brand but the phones they’re tweeting from are sourced from cobalt mines in congo that use child labor? attacking mark lee will not fix a deeply intertwined system of injustice, BOYCOTTING one brand is selective activism. pic.twitter.com/rx39QOWz0E
— ຖ𝜎⳽†𝛼ꪶ𝔤ǐ𝛼🪷 (@nostaIg1a) September 10, 2025
Boycott the collab but also call out the ones who spread misinformation by slandering him!!!
I can do both!!! pic.twitter.com/V6Ibbce5ch— #TheFirstFruit🫑🍏¹⁹⁹⁹ | 마크 Mark Lee (@CEOMarkLee) September 9, 2025
Neither SM Entertainment nor Mark has directly addressed the issue. For now, attention remains on the campaign itself, but the divided reaction highlights the difficulties Kpop idols face when their commercial partnerships connect with global political matters.
