Far-right Korean online users began posting artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images and videos in support of Starbucks after the coffee chain’s controversial “Tank Day” promotion on May 18 drew criticism for appearing to insult the Gwangju Democratic Uprising. What appeared at first to be a marketing blunder soon turned into a political flashpoint, with Starbucks becoming a symbolic rallying point for far-right users. As insulting posts targeting the May 18 Democratization Movement and messages supporting the coffee chain spread online, concerns grew over the potential for secondary victimization of survivors and bereaved families. AI-generated former dictator promotes Starbucks Multiple posts spread on X Wednesday featuring Starbucks products alongside former President Chun Doo-hwan. Chun ruled the country under a military dictatorship from 1980 to 1988 and violently crushed the Gwangju Democratic Uprising in 1980. In one video, Chun is seen drinking coffee from a Starbucks tumbler and complimenting its taste before stopping mid-sentence after mentioning the words “Gwangju
Far-right Koreans rally around Starbucks, use AI-generated dictator to promote coffee chain
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Huawei Korea holds partner summit to push AI infrastructure strategy
Huawei Korea hosted a partner summit in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together approximately 200 domestic partners and industry representatives to share its artificial intelligence (AI)-era digital infrastructure strategy. The “2026 Huawei Korea Enterprise Partner Summit,” held at Dragon City Hotel, centered on three priorities: strengthening support for the commercial market, improving partners’ capacity to address AI demand and deepening the… Read more: Huawei Korea holds partner summit to push AI infrastructure strategy - Defense ministry hosts advanced robotics, AI defense tech exhibitionThe defense ministry on Thursday hosted an exhibition featuring advanced defense technologies based on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), officials said. The Advanced Defense Pitch Day event, held at the Army’s 55th Infantry Division in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul, brought together some 200 military personnel, and those from defense firms and academia, as well as officials from… Read more: Defense ministry hosts advanced robotics, AI defense tech exhibition
- Harvesting diplomacy: Korea’s Africa rice initiative hits 10,000-ton milestoneA Korean-backed rice initiative in Africa has crossed a symbolic milestone, producing more than 10,000 tons of rice seed in just three years as Seoul deepens its push to position agricultural aid as a pillar of global food security. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Development Administration said Thursday that the K-Rice Belt project produced… Read more: Harvesting diplomacy: Korea’s Africa rice initiative hits 10,000-ton milestone
- Far-right Koreans rally around Starbucks, use AI-generated dictator to promote coffee chainFar-right Korean online users began posting artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images and videos in support of Starbucks after the coffee chain’s controversial “Tank Day” promotion on May 18 drew criticism for appearing to insult the Gwangju Democratic Uprising. What appeared at first to be a marketing blunder soon turned into a political flashpoint, with Starbucks becoming a symbolic rallying point for… Read more: Far-right Koreans rally around Starbucks, use AI-generated dictator to promote coffee chain
- Presidential office pledges active support for reasonable labor-management settlementThe presidential office on Thursday pledged to provide active support for companies and labor unions to settle negotiations in a reasonable manner, emphasizing the impact that labor-management disputes can have on the economy. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung made the remarks at a press briefing a day after Samsung Electronics and its largest labor union reached a last-minute wage agreement over… Read more: Presidential office pledges active support for reasonable labor-management settlement
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
