The Starbucks Korea marketing crisis has become one of the most talked-about brand controversies of 2026. What started as a promotional campaign for a new tumbler collection quickly escalated into a nationwide backlash, triggering public outrage, leadership changes, financial losses, and a major reputational challenge for one of the world’s most recognisable brands. At the centre of the controversy was the “Tank Day” campaign, launched on a date deeply linked…