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Global K-pop Stores Halt RIIZE Album Sales and Restocks Amid Seunghan’s Departure: Complete Boycott List Inside

Global K-pop Stores Halt RIIZE Album Sales and Restocks Amid Seunghan’s Departure: Complete Boycott List Inside

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:

  1. Kpop Castle, Florida
  2. SubK Shop
  3. Oppang K-pop Store, North Carolina
  4. KPOPNARA, New York City
  5. KPOPNARA, Chicago
  6. EVEPINK, Texas
  7. Boutique Musica, France
  8. TAI YOU Store, France
  9. yumekonbini, Italy
  10. Stardust K-pop Shop, Italy
  11. House of K-pop, Singapore
  12. Kpop Bazaar, Australia
  13. Kboo Store, Spain
  14. LightUbK, Canada
  15. Hey!Hallyu, Netherlands
  16. Copenhagen Kpop, Denmark
  17. Saranghello, San Francisco
  18. Sarah & Tom, Canada
  19. Kaido Italia K-pop Shop, Italy
  20. kpop1004, Canada, and the USA
  21. KSPACE, Czechia
  22. 12KST Shop, California
  23. KPOP.RS, Serbia
  24. iPurple, Europe
  25. Kpopdistrict, the United Kingdom
  26. Nola, Germany
  27. SeoulStation, Germany
  28. Kpopowo, Poland
  29. Kpop Store, Poland
  30. KpopSzop, Poland
  31. K Stars, the United Kingdom
  32. Kpop.mo
  33. Kpop Gateway, Virginia
  34. Choice Music, Los Angeles
  35. I Heart Kpop, Australia (Brisbane)
  36. CNA K-Pop, the Philippines
  37. KKANGZ and Kpopstopnz, New Zealand
  38. Kpop Nara, Woodfield
  39. Moonlight Mart, Aurora
  40. Kpop merch by Choc Choc, Chicago
  41. kpopofchicago, Chicago
  42. Seoul Stop, the Philippines
  43. Kpop Kingdom, Virginia
  44. Kpopzone, Denver
  45. K-pop utopia, Wisconsin
  46. Which Chulien, the Philippines
  47. soundbloom, Florida
  48. Kloud Kpop, California
  49. Ploghvey Kpop, Tennessee
  50. Kpop Time, Australia
  51. Kpopfriends, Australia
  52. Daebak, Germany
  53. The K-Pop Empire, Washington D.C.
  54. Oh Seoul Happy, North Carolina
  55. K Town, Canada
  56. Wondernara
  57. Chingu Dachi, the Philippines
  58. Kpop n More, Tennessee
  59. n.cat, the Philippines
  60. Yumiko, Poland
  61. Poppe Shop, the Philippines
  62. Kandy Pop, California
  63. Jamais Vu Kpop Shop, the United Kingdom
  64. BD Kpop Corner, Bangladesh
  65. Aegyo Kpop Store, Germany
  66. The Happy Store, the Philippines
  67. At Dessert Eats, San Diego
  68. Cokodive
  69. Kpop Fanstore, Indonesia
  70. Smoke Shop, Chile
  71. Kpoppin USA, Florida
  72. Tokki-Shop, Germany
  73. Daestore, France
  74. DICO KPOP STORE, Chile
  75. Uri Shop, Chile
  76. Krmerch, Singapore
  77. Kingdom of Kpop and More, North Carolina
  78. Kpop SA, Texas
  79. Neo Tokyo, Germany
  80. Akira, Canada
  81. Momo Store, Spain
  82. The Korner, Germany
  83. Impact Store, Spain
  84. Pig Rabbit Shop, Spain
  85. iMusic Shop, Denmark
  86. Super Dragon Toys, Belgium
  87. Soojib, the United Kingdom
  88. K-moon, Italy
  89. The Sounds Store, Netherlands
  90. Pink Box, Texas
  91. Kpop Nation, the USA
  92. Hallyu Hamke
  93. Onnigom, Finland
  94. Eri Shoppe, the Philippines
  95. KorK, Missouri
  96. Sokollab, the United Kingdom
  97. Kpop Store, Georgia (USA)
  98. Chorusaruma, Saudi Arabia
  99. Cookie Kshop, India
  100. Saranpop Kpop Store, Cambodia
  101. Artbox, Canada
  102. Kpopalbum.khstore, Cambodia
  103. All Korea, Qatar
  104. Kyyo and Lilakshop, the United Kingdom
  105. Bak Bak K-store, Europe
  106. Peach Blossom Shop, Ukraine
  107. Froggoshop, Ukraine
  108. Kstory Espana, Spain
  109. Chuchucherry, the United Kingdom
  110. Kaepjjang Shop, France
  111. Cheng Gong, Italy
  112. Nat’s Idea Kpop, Poland
  113. VT Carrollton, Texas
  114. Kpop Republic, California
  115. Kpop Pink Store, California
  116. Melashy World, Puerto Rico
  117. Shopluxc, Mexico
  118. Dongsong Shop, Mexico
  119. idollmusic, South Carolina
  120. Variaworld, Netherlands
  121. Kplace USA, California

Currently, without Seunghan, RIIZE consists of six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton.

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