On October 11th, the group was seen departing for Madrid from Incheon International Airport. During their appearance, the members were spotted using Apple products, such as iPhones and AirPods, which unexpectedly stirred controversy among Korean netizens, particularly due to the group’s previous collaboration with Samsung.
Although the members’ use of Apple devices may not have been intended maliciously, it didn’t sit well with many. Given their previous relationship with Samsung, the move was viewed as disrespectful. Herald Corp even reported that Samsung was displeased with the group’s actions. A Samsung representative was quoted as saying, “Celebrities don’t bring much impact when it comes to phone marketing. Collaborating with those who are genuine Samsung Galaxy fans would likely resonate better with the audience.”
A week later, on October 19th, BOYNEXTDOOR was once again seen at Incheon International Airport. This time, the atmosphere was less pro-Apple amid the ongoing backlash. However, the group did not address the situation, which only fueled further trolling from the public. The media outlet Sportainers released a video of the group with the provocative title: “BOYNEXTDOOR’s Departure: Apple Boys of This Galaxy!”
The comment sections across various platforms were filled with criticism and mockery of the group: “I’m sure they won’t repeat it, but the damage is done. They’ll always be mocked for this“, “They disrespected Samsung, so it’s no surprise they’re getting hate. Too bad they won’t apologize“, “They brought this on themselves, LMAO“…
In addition to the online ridicule, the group had to endure chaotic scenes at the airport, where they were mobbed by fans. Newsen shared footage showing the members being crowded, with some fans behaving aggressively. This led to concerns among supporters who noticed how uncomfortable the members looked.
Fans expressed frustration over the situation: “There are so many rude people. If the guards weren’t there, the members would’ve been hurt. Even with the guards, fans were charging at them. This is the worst airport footage I’ve seen”, “The fandom has gotten messier, and it’s hurting the group“, “This is terrible. Taesan and Sungho almost got crushed by the doors, and Woonhak and Riwoo’s smiles looked forced. Jaehyun looked like he was about to cry. These aren’t fans—they’re sasaengs“…
As the group navigates this challenging period, fans are hoping BOYNEXTDOOR will find more peace during future appearances.
Source: Krb
