Even if you’re not a K-pop fan, chances are you’ve heard of BTS, the Korean boy band that has skyrocketed to fame worldwide in just a few years. They have sold millions of albums, garnered billions of streams, and any tweet mentioning them on Twitter quickly becomes a trend. Just recently, they appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform their new English single “Butter,” showcasing their fluent English skills and humor during the show. When a group becomes this prevalent in the US, it often leads to a fast-food sponsorship deal.
A few weeks ago, McDonald’s revealed a new BTS-themed meal, which is set to launch tonight in the US, the Bahamas, Canada, and eight other countries. This meal is part of McDonald’s ongoing “Famous Orders” campaign, where well-known personalities endorse a special meal at the chain made up of regular menu items. It’s a smart move on McDonald’s part; the celebrity endorsement brings in customers, and they save costs by not having to introduce new menu items. The BTS meal consists of a ten-piece McNuggets, medium fries, a medium Coke, and in the US, Cajun and Sweet Chili dipping sauces, previously exclusive to South Korean McDonald’s.
McDonald’s has collaborated with Travis Scott, J Balvin, and now BTS for a “BTS Meal” and merchandise line. The restaurant chain’s marketing team explains what fans can anticipate from these partnerships and why they are incorporating artists into their menus https://t.co/tdMIixiLbT pic.twitter.com/5VZAgopbTK
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 26, 2021
“We have fond memories with McDonald’s since our trainee days,” BTS member Jin shared with BuzzFeed regarding the collaboration. “We were excited to partner up!”
Member Jungkook added, “McDonald’s is like a longtime friend to me. Burgers, fries, and soft drinks – the essence of joy!”
McDonald’s US Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley told Rolling Stone, “BTS is a global sensation. They have an incredibly dedicated and devoted fanbase, which is why we chose to collaborate with them. Above all, BTS genuinely loves McDonald’s. Each band member has their own history with our brand spanning years.”
The BTS meal will be offered at select McDonald’s establishments starting tonight at 7:00 PM Eastern time and will be available until June 11.
