“Boycott is boycott” — Fans react to RIIZE ranking the lowest on Brand Reputation Ranking List post Seunghan's controversial exit

On November 11, 2024, SM Entertainment's rookie boy group, RIIZE, ranked the lowest in the latest Brand Reputation Ranking List. The list is generated by the Korea Brand Reputation Research Institute every month, determining a K-pop group and artist's popularity level.

This is due to the ongoing global boycott against the group and SM Entertainment since Seunghan's alleged unfair removal from the group in October 2024. Currently, RIIZE is ranked at no. 35 on the list, dropping more than 20 spots on the Brand Reputation Ranking List.

For the unversed, SM Entertainment announced on October 11 that Seunghan will return to group activities in November 2024. 24 hours later, the agency stated that Seunghan was removed from the group due to his 2023 scandal, where his pre-debut pictures with his alleged girlfriend went viral online.

Following this, over 120 worldwide K-pop retail stores joined the boycott started by global fanbase of the group. They demanded that they would boycott the group's releases and seize support if the company didn't bring back Seungham. Meanwhile, a fan wrote on X:

"They woul've get into Top 10 if Seunghan really returned to RIIZE. It hurts, but boycott is boycott."

Netizens wrote that for the first time, they were happy that their favorite group didn't rank in the Top 10 of the Brand Reputation Ranking List. Some fans stated that this was an indication that the boycott was working.

"I actually feel bad… but this shows that the boycott is working.. I’d be mad if SM & c5 would always remain silent and don’t do anything. in fact, c5 itself has ruined Riize’s career," one fan wrote.

"To RIIZE, just wait a little more, we will fight for what you fought for, we will bring seunghan back, and we'll put you on top and make you one of the biggest groups known to world. Ameen," another fan wrote.

"This is the first time i am so happy my fave group is not on the list. the boycott is working, do not stop!!" another fan added.

However, some fans were apprehensive about the effectiveness of the boycott on SM Entertainment. They wondered if this would compel them to change their decision.

"Idk how much companies care about brand reputation but considering they used to be in the top 10 this is kinda crazy," one fan said.

"Happy to see that! Not because I hate the members, but this is better for them in the long run. Let's boycott this group until they get their 7th member back. I hope justice happened to Seunghan," another fan noted.

"It hurts seeing this ngl but if we didn't do this, SM won't listen to international fans," one other fan commented.

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Former RIIZE member Seunghan's controversy explained

The first scandal involving Seungahn occurred in August 2023, one month before RIIZE's formal debut, when reportedly a buddy of his released photos showed him kissing his ex-girlfriend. In one of the photos, he was in bed with the girl.

In September 2023, the group debuted as a seven-member boy band with Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton with their EP, Get a Guitar. In November 2023, more images and videos of Seunghan purportedly smoking in Japan surfaced online.

The same month, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would be taking an indefinite break and has been regretting his past behavior. However, a year later, in October 2024, his return to the group displeased some Korean netizens who set funeral wreaths outside the company, demanding Seunghan's removal.

In response, SM Entertainment removed him from the group, which incited fans across the world. Over 300,000 global fans signed a petition on change.org, demanding Seunghan's reinstatement to the group, which further resulted in the ongoing global boycott against RIIZE and the company.

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Meanwhile, on August 17, 2024, the six-piece RIIZE released their latest EP, RIIZING.