"Not Available in Japan... Envying It" The Reason Why the 'McDonald's BTS Set' Was Released Excluding Japan and China

On the 27th, McDonald's launched 'The BTS Set' in collaboration with the group BTS. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] On the 27th, 'The BTS Set,' a collaboration between McDonald's and the idol group BTS, was released simultaneously in 50 countries worldwide, including South Korea and the United States, receiving great response. Notably, in East Asia, it was launched in only five countries including South Korea, excluding Japan and China, drawing attention to the reasons behind this decision.

Previously, BTS sparked controversy in China last October due to remarks about the 'Korean War.' At that time, leader RM, after receiving an award at the Korea Society's annual event, a US-Korea friendship nonprofit, stated, "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, and we must forever remember the hardships and many sacrifices shared by both Korea and the US." Some Chinese netizens criticized this, asking, "Why are China's sacrifices not respected?" It is also believed that BTS's special appearance on the American sitcom 'Friends' was removed in China for similar reasons.

Japanese right-wing media took issue with former member Jimin wearing a Liberation Day commemorative T-shirt on a broadcast and RM posting a Liberation Day tribute tweet on social media. This led to the cancellation of BTS's 2018 appearance on Japan's TV Asahi 'Music Station.'

The back of the T-shirt Jimin wore featured English phrases such as 'PATRIOTISM,' 'OUR HISTORY,' 'LIBERATION,' and 'KOREA,' along with prints of people celebrating liberation and images of the atomic bomb explosion. RM tweeted, "A nation that forgets its history has no future. Thank you to the independence fighters. Long live Korean independence."

In response, a McDonald's representative explained, "The BTS Set is released only in countries where the global headquarters has approved sales," adding, "China and Japan, among others, did not voluntarily participate."

Regarding this, BTS fans in Japan have expressed their disappointment on social media, saying, "There is no McDonald's promotion in Japan. We are really envious." It is also reported that there have been numerous requests for the release, with fans saying, "Please let us eat 'The BTS Set' too."

Meanwhile, according to McDonald's, 'The BTS Set,' composed of menu items favored by the seven BTS members, will be sold until June 30. It includes 9 to 10 pieces of Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, medium cola, and two dipping sauces. The packaging is decorated in purple, the symbolic color of BTS's fan club 'ARMY.' Notably, the dipping sauce wrappers are labeled in Hangul as '스위트 칠리' (Sweet Chili) and '케이준' (Cajun), which is significant as it marks the sale of dipping sauces with Hangul text worldwide.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.