On October 16, 2024, more than 120 K-pop retailers across the globe froze album sales for RIIZE following SM Entertainment’s controversial decision to remove Seunghan from the group on October 15. This action catalyzed a massive international boycott against both RIIZE and SM Entertainment, with supporters protesting the company’s choice.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, Seunghan, a member of the rising band RIIZE, had been on hiatus for nearly a year since November 2023 amid swirling controversy stemming from viral images showing him smoking and sharing an intimate moment with his alleged girlfriend. On October 13, Wizard Production, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, announced his impending return, which thrilled fans.
However, on October 14, some Korean netizens responded with outrage, sending funeral wreaths to the company in demand of Seunghan’s removal from RIIZE. The following day, SM Entertainment confirmed Seunghan’s exit, igniting global backlash.
Fans around the world criticized the toxic culture surrounding K-pop and began trending numerous hashtags such as #WEWAITEDFOR_SEUNGHAN, #SMdoesntrespectinternationalvoice, #NO_SEUNGHAN_NO_PEACE, #SMwantsourmoneynotouropinion, and #SMSupportsBullying, among others.
In a show of solidarity with the ongoing protests, SubKShop, a prominent US retailer, issued a statement on October 16, underscoring their stance:
“Due to the recent developments, we have opted to temporarily suspend the importation of RIIZE merchandise out of respect for our customers, fans, and the artist. Existing orders will be honored, pre-ordered inventory will be held, and future sales will be assessed as the situation unfolds. We appreciate your understanding and support.”
Following this announcement, additional retailers such as Hey!Hallyu in the Netherlands and Nolae in Germany joined the boycott, halting sales and restocking of RIIZE’s albums until Seunghan’s reinstatement.
Over 120 global K-pop retailers unite in protest against RIIZE and SM Entertainment, advocating for Seunghan
The suspension of sales is projected to result in significant losses for RIIZE and SM Entertainment, as fans and K-pop retailers from various countries including the UK, Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, Australia, France, and Italy express their dissatisfaction over Seunghan’s unjust removal from the group.
Here is the comprehensive list of major international K-pop retailers participating in the boycott:
- Kpop Castle, Florida
- SubK Shop
- Oppang K-pop Store, North Carolina
- KPOPNARA, New York City
- KPOPNARA, Chicago
- EVEPINK, Texas
- Boutique Musica, France
- TAI YOU Store, France
- yumekonbini, Italy
- Stardust K-pop Shop, Italy
- House of K-pop, Singapore
- Kpop Bazaar, Australia
- Kboo Store, Spain
- LightUbK, Canada
- Hey!Hallyu, Netherlands
- Copenhagen Kpop, Denmark
- Saranghello, San Francisco
- Sarah & Tom, Canada
- Kaido Italia K-pop Shop, Italy
- kpop1004, Canada, and the USA
- KSPACE, Czechia
- 12KST Shop, California
- KPOP.RS, Serbia
- iPurple, Europe
- Kpopdistrict, the United Kingdom
- Nola, Germany
- SeoulStation, Germany
- Kpopowo, Poland
- Kpop Store, Poland
- KpopSzop, Poland
- K Stars, the United Kingdom
- Kpop.mo
- Kpop Gateway, Virginia
- Choice Music, Los Angeles
- I Heart Kpop, Australia (Brisbane)
- CNA K-Pop, the Philippines
- KKANGZ and Kpopstopnz, New Zealand
- Kpop Nara, Woodfield
- Moonlight Mart, Aurora
- Kpop merch by Choc Choc, Chicago
- kpopofchicago, Chicago
- Seoul Stop, the Philippines
- Kpop Kingdom, Virginia
- Kpopzone, Denver
- K-pop utopia, Wisconsin
- Which Chulien, the Philippines
- soundbloom, Florida
- Kloud Kpop, California
- Ploghvey Kpop, Tennessee
- Kpop Time, Australia
- Kpopfriends, Australia
- Daebak, Germany
- The K-Pop Empire, Washington D.C.
- Oh Seoul Happy, North Carolina
- K Town, Canada
- Wondernara
- Chingu Dachi, the Philippines
- Kpop n More, Tennessee
- n.cat, the Philippines
- Yumiko, Poland
- Poppe Shop, the Philippines
- Kandy Pop, California
- Jamais Vu Kpop Shop, the United Kingdom
- BD Kpop Corner, Bangladesh
- Aegyo Kpop Store, Germany
- The Happy Store, the Philippines
- At Dessert Eats, San Diego
- Cokodive
- Kpop Fanstore, Indonesia
- Smoke Shop, Chile
- Kpoppin USA, Florida
- Tokki-Shop, Germany
- Daestore, France
- DICO KPOP STORE, Chile
- Uri Shop, Chile
- Krmerch, Singapore
- Kingdom of Kpop and More, North Carolina
- Kpop SA, Texas
- Neo Tokyo, Germany
- Akira, Canada
- Momo Store, Spain
- The Korner, Germany
- Impact Store, Spain
- Pig Rabbit Shop, Spain
- iMusic Shop, Denmark
- Super Dragon Toys, Belgium
- Soojib, the United Kingdom
- K-moon, Italy
- The Sounds Store, Netherlands
- Pink Box, Texas
- Kpop Nation, the USA
- Hallyu Hamke
- Onnigom, Finland
- Eri Shoppe, the Philippines
- KorK, Missouri
- Sokollab, the United Kingdom
- Kpop Store, Georgia (USA)
- Chorusaruma, Saudi Arabia
- Cookie Kshop, India
- Saranpop Kpop Store, Cambodia
- Artbox, Canada
- Kpopalbum.khstore, Cambodia
- All Korea, Qatar
- Kyyo and Lilakshop, the United Kingdom
- Bak Bak K-store, Europe
- Peach Blossom Shop, Ukraine
- Froggoshop, Ukraine
- Kstory Espana, Spain
- Chuchucherry, the United Kingdom
- Kaepjjang Shop, France
- Cheng Gong, Italy
- Nat’s Idea Kpop, Poland
- VT Carrollton, Texas
- Kpop Republic, California
- Kpop Pink Store, California
- Melashy World, Puerto Rico
- Shopluxc, Mexico
- Dongsong Shop, Mexico
- idollmusic, South Carolina
- Variaworld, Netherlands
- Kplace USA, California
Currently, without Seunghan, RIIZE consists of six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton.
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