BTS RM’s Latest Instagram Post Leaves Many Fans Gutted

RM‘s latest Instagram update has been met with some pushback from a portion of the BTS fanbase.

On April 30, KST, RM took to his personal Instagram and shared various photos showing moments during his days off from the ongoing military service.

These moments included him hanging out with his friends,

and family members…

…spending time in his home,

and even in the HYBE building.

However, one picture from this collection turned into a source of controversy— a photo of him getting food from McDonald’s. In particular, the picture RM posted showed the special edition burgers from the brand’s new collaboration with anime icon, Detective Conan.

Some fans were left disappointed by the photo, since McDonald’s has become one of the most controversial fast food chains due to its association with the Israeli military. It is one of the brands named as a boycott target by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement. After Israel launched its deadly attacks on the civilians of the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice recognized as crimes against humanity, McDonald’s started donating free meals to the Israeli army. After the boycott against the brand intensified globally, McDonald’s bought all its Israeli restaurants. That, however, didn’t change BDS’s stance on the boycott since the move only amplified the fast-food chain’s investment in Israel.

We’re not falling for it. By directly acquiring the 200+ Israeli branches, McDonald’s has become more, not less, complicit in Israel’s genocide and underlying system of apartheid. McDonald’s’ move to gain more “control over its brand” won’t cut it.https://t.co/rVKpiK34tC

— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) April 8, 2024

In the current global climate, association with brands like McDonald’s has come under heavy scrutiny. So, RM’s post has left many fans gutted, including ARMYs who are themselves Palestinian or are allies to the cause.

not my screenshot. i dont know what to say anymore. it is known GLOBALLY that mcd is being boycotted it is on the bds priority list as well. and once again NOBODY IS SAYING ANYTHING ALL OF YOU ARE SILENT pic.twitter.com/zuyG3N0sbg

— 𓂆 zuzu ރ 🇮🇶🇵🇸 (@zuzuelsarookh) April 30, 2025

do better @BTS_twt. you have no excuse to promote brands that are actively supporting the genocide of palestinians. does your lyricism mean something still? pic.twitter.com/1BdxXeenu9

— 🔻 (@ggumzzngeong) April 30, 2025

I have no words
At this point we did everything, all signs show that they don't care.
I won't waste my time like I did previously. You all gotta accept that they'll never speak up and this ignorance will continue and reach other levels.
We're all fooling ourselves https://t.co/WMRv8H7OOO pic.twitter.com/GxMAA8Mzfw

— Taleen 𓂆 | check pinned! (@TallyTheGazawi) April 30, 2025

i said this back when tae posted a picture of something from mcdonalds on his instagram too, but eating it is one thing and posting it on a platform where you know some of your fans will copy anything you do is another. you can do better, namjoon, and as fans we can ask that.

— ًًneenee⁷ (@yoonchaand) April 30, 2025

Criticism has also been directed toward specific fan accounts, such as those that reposted RM’s post on X but left out the McDonald’s photo. For many fans, it was a clear indication that others in the fanbase recognized the post as problematic as well, but chose to hide it instead of offering constructive criticism.

call out every update account leaving that pic out

— moni⁷🧸 (@yoongisbatman) April 30, 2025

i think it’s interesting how some translation accounts are leaving #that one photo out and it’s very telling 🤷 https://t.co/GR8EtMv1Ru

— boob lover (@lesbianthv) April 30, 2025

A significant portion of ARMYs have been campaigning since 2023, urging HYBE to cut ties with Zionism. But the company has only gotten more and more involved with individuals and brands that represent the ideology.

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Amid this tense situation and the continued assault on human life in Gaza, RM’s post has brought back the deep hurt that these fans felt after V made a similar post last year. Read more about it here:

BTS’s V Posts McDonald’s On Instagram, Leaving Many ARMYs Gutted