Converse Featuring Karina Faces Backlash Over Ad Evoking 'KKK Anti-Black Terror'

Converse Deletes Controversial Photo and "Acknowledges Mistake"


K-pop Artists' Names Entangled in Brand Blunders

Converse, an American shoe brand and subsidiary of Nike, has deleted an advertisement photo from its official social media accounts and issued an apology after the image was criticized for evoking the white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

American shoe brand Converse stirred controversy by posting an advertisement photo that reminded people of the white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Instagram capture

According to foreign outlets such as the BBC on September 19 (local time), controversy erupted over a recent photo posted on the Converse Instagram account, in which the imagery resembled the iconic pointed white hood used by the KKK. The white hood was historically worn by KKK members to conceal their identities while committing acts of collective violence and terror against Black people, making it a deeply racist symbol. In addition, a pair of sneakers hanging in the image was criticized for evoking the image of lynching victims.

As the controversy grew, Converse deleted the problematic photo. "This should never have happened," the company said, adding, "We understand why this image is deeply regrettable and acknowledge that we were in the wrong." Converse also stated that the photo was being removed from other platforms as well.

The advertisement photo was shot for the “Chuck 70 X” promotional campaign that Converse launched worldwide on August 27. Karina, a member of the group aespa, participated as a model for this campaign. While public criticism was directed toward Converse headquarters’ design and marketing planning—rather than at the individual model herself—it was difficult for an artist serving as the campaign’s main face to avoid being associated with the brand's controversy over racist imagery.

Meanwhile, Adidas recently faced a major boycott from pro-Palestinian groups after running a promotional campaign in Israel featuring a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier and Paralympic athlete who lost a leg. Although that was a local promotion by Adidas Israel, the backlash also spilled over to Jennie of BLACKPINK, who had spearheaded a major collaboration collection with the brand. There is a growing trend among international young people to openly demand that their favored artists sever business ties or make political statements; in fact, Jennie's social media accounts were flooded with comments—many with the hashtag '#FreePalestine'—urging her to cut ties with Adidas.

Analysts observe that whenever marketing missteps by partner companies or Western historical and geopolitical tensions arise, K-pop artists—who stand at the forefront of major campaigns—are inadvertently exposed to the complexities of international social issues, even though they are not personally at fault.

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