Popular K-Pop Idol’s Racism Experience Triggers Massive Reactions

They were not having it.

Recently, SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan held a live broadcast and shared an interaction that happened while in the States.

He expressed his frustration about why the barista couldn’t understand him despite practicing his English and having visited the States multiple times.

I just remembered that I had to say ‘Can I get a one iced Americano’ since I go to the States often. But this time, I ordered like I always do, but they couldn’t understand me the two times I tried to order coffee!

— Seungkwan

I was so flustered because they couldn’t understand me. Is my pronunciation bad? Can you guys listen and let me know? ‘Can I get a one-decaf iced Americano?’

— Seungkwan

Should I say it more slowly? They kept asking if I wanted an oat milk latte, so I said, ‘One iced Americano.’ But when I received my drink, they gave me an iced Americano with almond milk, and I was like, ‘This isn’t it.’

— Seungkwan

This clip went viral online, garnering over 1.5 million views, with fans furious at the way he was treated.

i feel so bad for him. as someone who works with americans for 7 years, even if u sounded perfect, accent and grammar on point they will still act dumb and pretend not to understand u bc u are asian. they have major superiority complex and that is how they mock u. ASSHOLES https://t.co/ftfE1hO9N0

— fi⋆˚࿔ (@yawnjeonghans) October 15, 2025

fully convinced this was an act of racism. kwan perfected it and yet that barista still decides to botch it bcs where did he say he wants almond milk?? https://t.co/LgkhOKDgir

— sam (@nonutot) October 15, 2025

barista racist as hell cause that was perfect https://t.co/5Ww9wLeuFa

— ς(๑⃙⃘'~'๑⃙⃘) ໒꒱ (@catlvr3000) October 15, 2025

SEVENTEEN