RIIZE fans in Korea are currently staging a 2 week-long protest in front of SM headquarters.
The protest began on Monday, December 8, and is planned to take place for the next 2 weeks. During that time, fans are sending multiple trucks to park in front of the SM building from 11 AM to 7 PM. The trucks have multiple slogans on them with the fans' demands and criticisms, from accusing SM of 'neglecting' RIIZE to criticizing the group's hair and makeup team.
"Quietly releasing a single with no actual schedules or promotions. Is this really supposed to be considered a comeback?"
"Manager! You haven't switched out the incompetent hair and makeup team, is it because of their connections?"
"Rookies who have an 11 month hiatus, promote for 2 weeks, and then go on hiatus for another 6 months. After performing on only 2 music shows, they're already leaving the country again. When will the next Korean comeback be?"
"RIIZE is the most inactive among all 5th gen idols. SM is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs"
As the truck protest continues, netizens are taking notice. A popular post shared the protest's slogans along with photos of the trucks parked in front of SM headquarters; and stated the group's reason for starting a protest in the first place:
"RIIIZE debuted just over two years ago, yet has only performed on a total of 11 music shows and had promotional activities for only about two and a half weeks in the last year.
In over two years since their debut, RIIZE has released only 23 songs domestically, which is fewer than other groups of the same age and even some junior groups."
Netizens are now expressing their support for the protest.
"It's terrible for a rookie group to have an 11-month hiatus in Korea... They need to release music more often. Other rookie groups have four comebacks a year while RIIZE only has two comebacks and only performs on two music shows"
"It's just how SM is... It seems like all the competent employees have left"
"The members are amazing, which makes this even more regrettable and frustrating"
"RIIZE's initial momentum was strong, but it seems to have decreased significantly..."
"What a waste of a group"
"RIIZE fans are working hard... fighting!"
SEE ALSO: RIIZE attends Samsung’s ‘The First Look’ as sole K-pop act ahead of CES 2026
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