You Can't Use "Lee Jaemyung" or "Kim Moonsoo" as Nicknames at Starbucks... Here's Why

'Call My Name' Service Restricts Use of Presidential Candidates' Names and Election Phrases as Nicknames
Certain Keywords Limited to Maintain Political Neutrality

Until the 6·3 presidential election, customers at Starbucks stores will not be able to use nicknames containing the names of seven presidential candidates, including Lee Jaemyung, Kim Moonsoo, and Lee Junseok. This measure is interpreted as an effort to prevent inconvenience or misunderstandings that may arise ahead of the election and to maintain political neutrality.

Starbucks has confirmed that it restricts the use of nicknames containing the names of presidential candidates. Starbucks official website

Starbucks Korea offers the "Call My Name" service, where employees call out the customer's nickname when their drink or food is ready. Customers can set their nickname directly through the application (app).

However, according to the retail industry on the 12th, Starbucks has designated the names of the seven registered candidates as "prohibited words" from this day forward, ahead of the 6·3 presidential election, so that they cannot be used as nicknames.

When attempting to register a nickname in the Starbucks app using the names of major presidential candidates such as Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, and Lee Junseok of the Reform Party, among the seven main candidates, a message appears stating, "This nickname cannot be used." Not only candidate names but also election-related phrases such as "Now is Lee Jaemyung" and "Real Lee Jaemyung" cannot be used as nicknames.

Although he is not a presidential candidate, the name of former President Yoon Sukyeol also cannot be used as a nickname. However, it has been confirmed that the names of other politicians, such as Han Ducksoo, Han Donghoon, Hong Joonpyo, and Ahn Cheolsoo, can be used as nicknames.

It has been confirmed that Starbucks has restricted the use of nicknames containing the names of presidential candidates. Starbucks application

It is known that during election periods and similar times, the use of certain keywords is restricted because related nicknames could cause conflict or lead to complaints. However, after the presidential election concludes, the political sensitivity is expected to decrease, and the nickname restrictions are likely to be lifted. Starbucks' basic policy is to allow the use of names unless inappropriate words such as profanity or derogatory terms are attached.

Meanwhile, Starbucks Korea's criteria for inappropriate nicknames include: expressions that violate social norms; expressions that directly slander others; expressions that are difficult for store partners to call out; and expressions that cause discomfort.