“Makes Absolutely No Sense” — Fans Criticize SM Entertainment Over RIIZE’s 2024 Rolling Loud Thailand Invitation Amid Seunghan Exit Controversy

RIIZE, the emerging boy band, is set to take the stage at the 2024 Rolling Loud Thailand festival, which is scheduled to occur in Pattaya from November 22 to 24. Although the rookie group does not appear on the official lineup, a recent tweet from Rolling Loud confirmed their participation. The festival will feature prominent K-pop acts such as BamBam from GOT7, Jay Park, and CL, but will primarily showcase well-known Western hip-hop artists including A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Gunna, and Playboi Carti.

The official Twitter account for Rolling Loud Thailand, @RollingloudTH, enthusiastically announced:

“Big news! RIIZE is back in Thailand. We’re taking over the world’s biggest hip-hop stage at Rolling Loud Thailand 2024! Get hyped and ready to turn up! Catch us live from November 22-24, 2024, at Legend Siam Pattaya! Let’s make some noise!”

Fans expressing their surprise noted the unusual choice of having RIIZE, a non-hip-hop group, slated to perform at a festival dedicated to the hip-hop genre, raising concerns about the group’s suitability for such an event. They pointed out that RIIZE, under the umbrella of SM Entertainment, does not have tracks that fall within the hip-hop category.

One enthusiastic supporter commented on X, pointing out,

“Having RIIZE at Rolling Loud makes absolutely no sense. This feels like certain ridicule on the horizon since there has NEVER been a K-pop group featured at a rap festival. SM, you’re playing a risky game!”

The online discourse regarding this decision is notably polarized, with many expressing disbelief about a K-pop act being included in such a mainly hip-hop festival. Many fans questioned the rationale behind SM Entertainment’s choice.

“Wait, I just caught wind that RIIZE is performing at Rolling Loud??? This is a setup just waiting to happen,”a user on X remarked.

“Sending RIIZE to Rolling Loud seems like a strategic blunder… the audience isn’t targeted towards them, and those who are there for RIIZE might disrupt the other acts. They could have chosen a more fitting festival for them,”another fan added.

“Do people realize how awkward it’s going to be for RIIZE at Rolling Loud? The main crowd there isn’t into anything outside of hip-hop. Can you imagine the Twitter comments that day???”another fan expressed.

While many fans echoed concerns about this apparent mismatch, others suggested that the backlash against RIIZE’s inclusion might border on “racism.”

“Honestly, I have nothing to say about RIIZE performing at Rolling Loud except that sending them to an American festival while ignoring regional sentiments is just absurd,”a fan declared.

“A lot of the outrage over RIIZE going to Rolling Loud is almost racist, but is anyone surprised?”another voice raised.

“Okay, but we need to chill with the commentary on RIIZE’s appearance at Rolling Loud, it’s getting a little racist,”yet another fan added.

Criticism of SM Entertainment’s Decision to Feature RIIZE at the 2024 Rolling Loud Thailand

On October 13, 2024, SM Entertainment announced the removal of Seunghan from RIIZE. The artist had previously taken a hiatus in November 2023 after images surfaced of him allegedly smoking, alongside pictures of him with his rumored girlfriend, which stirred controversy among Korean fans.

After an 11-month break, SM Entertainment revealed on October 11, 2024, that Seunghan would be welcomed back to RIIZE. However, this announcement prompted protests, including the delivery of funeral wreaths to the SM building from Korean fans. Consequently, the following day, Seunghan was expelled from the group, igniting a worldwide boycott against both SM Entertainment and RIIZE’s future releases among international fans and K-pop retailers.

International audiences rallied for Seunghan’s reinstatement, criticizing the toxic attitudes of Korean fans towards artists regarding personal choices like smoking or dating. This movement saw participation from over 121 K-pop stores and retailers worldwide, including SubKShop, Oppang K-pop Store, and KPOPNARA, who publicly endorsed the boycott on their social media platforms.

In the wake of RIIZE’s announcement to perform at the 2024 Rolling Loud Thailand, fans once again took aim at SM Entertainment, questioning the logic in removing Seunghan over a smoking incident while showcasing them at a festival where such behaviors are typically normalized.

Rolling Loud Thailand will unfold in Pattaya from November 22 to 24, 2024. Tickets for the festival can be purchased via Ticketmelon.

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