NCT’s Mark and Group Accounts Experience Significant Follower Drop During Boycott

Mark of NCT is facing backlash after teaming up with McDonald’s Korea amid ongoing pro-Palestine boycotts against the brand.

Mark’s recent McDonald’s campaign includes posters, videos, and rumored photocards in meal sets. The deal was announced amid growing controversy because McDonald’s franchises in Israel have been supporting the Israel Defense Forces with free meals and donations.

The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) Movement added McDonald’s to its encouraged organic boycott list, even though it’s not officially a target. McDonald’s Korea isn’t directly franchised by the corporation but pays royalties to the parent company through a partner, Al Mana.

Fans quickly called out Mark and SM Entertainment, linking his promo to the larger boycott against McDonald’s. This backlash caused a huge drop in followers.

Mark lost about 84,400 Instagram followers in two days. NCT unit accounts also took hits: NCT DREAM lost just under 4,000 followers, and NCT 127 lost over 2,100. These numbers don’t even include losses on X and other platforms where protests are active.

Tweets from fans highlight the reaction:

READ THIS @SMTOWNGLOBAL
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

SM_BOYCOTT_GENOCIDE #SpeakUpNCT

– zt. (@ieeezmark) September 10, 2025

we all unfollowing mark rn pic.twitter.com/2fLUxUIoEm
– may ྀི (@jrnofag) September 9, 2025

unfollowed mark on ig and i encourage everyone to do the same…… it wont do much but at least it will show that many people do not support him doing this collab. i really hope he will address the situation soon bc its disappointing how he hasnt so far #IStandWithPalestine
– ★ semi-ia (@jisungperk) September 11, 2025

Fans have called out the idol and the company.