On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, over 120 international K-pop stores suspended RIIZE's album sales after SM Entertainment removed Seunghan from the boy band on October 15. The K-pop stores worldwide joined fans in the ongoing boycott against RIIZE and SM Entertainment, protesting the label's unfair decision.
For the unversed, K-pop idol Seunghan from the rookie group, RIIZE, has been on hiatus for over 11 months since November 2023. He was embroiled in a controversy after several pictures of him smoking and kissing his alleged girlfriend went viral online. On October 13, Wizard Production, an SM Entertainment subsidiary, announced the return of Seunghan, delighting fans.
Consequently, on October 14, some Korean netizens sent funeral wreaths outside the company, demanding the removal of Seunghan from RIIZE. Following this, on October 15, SM Entertainment declared Seunghan's exit from RIIZE, causing a worldwide uproar.
International fans questioned the toxic culture and trending multiple hashtags like #WEWAITEDFOR_SEUNGHAN, #SMdoesntrespectinternationalvoice, #NO_SEUNGHAN_NO_PEACE, #SMwantsourmoneynotouropinion, and #SMSupportsBullying, among others.
Joining the global protest and boycott, SubKShop, a major US retail player, released a statement on October 16:
"In light of recent events, we have decided to temporarily halt the importing of RIIZE products out of respect for our customers, fans, and the artist. Existing orders will still be fulfilled, pre-purchased inventory will remain, and future sales will be reevaluated as the situation evolves. Thank you for your understanding and support."
Following, this K-pop retailers like Hey!Hallyu from the Netherlands, European retailer Nolae, and more joined the boycott, suspending RIIZE's album sales and restocking till Seunghan is brought back.
Over 120 international major K-pop retailers join the boycott against RIIZE and SM Entertainment, demanding justice for Seunghan
RIIZE's album sales and SM Entertainment's revenue expected will take a major hit as a result of the ongoing boycott. Fans and K-pop global retailers from the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, Australia, France, and Italy, among other nations, are displeased with Seunghan’s "unfair" departure from the group.
Here is the complete list of international major retailers from the K-pop sales business who have joined the boycott:
- Kpop Kastle, Florida
- SubK Shop
- Oppang K-pop Store, North Carolina
- KPOPNARA, New York City
- KPOPNARA, Chicago
- EVEPINK, Texas
- Boutique Musica, France
- Boutique TAI YOU, 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
- Nolae, Germany
- SeoulStation, Germany
- Kpopowo, Poland
- Sklep Kpopowy, Poland
- KpopSzop, Poland
- K Stars, the United Kingdom
- Kpop.omo
- 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
- Aling 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
- U Desser Eats, San Diego
- Cokodive
- Kpop Fanstore, Indonesia
- Tienda Humo, 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
Excluding Seunghan, RIIZE currently has six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton.