In a significant show of organized fan activism, the global fandom of RIIZE has officially concluded a relentless three-week truck protest directed at SM Entertainment.
The demonstration, which ended on December 22, 2025 (KST), was a response to what fans describe as systematic mismanagement and a failure to capitalize on the group’s immense potential.
As the protest wraps up, the fandom has made it clear that while the trucks may be gone for now, their demand for fundamental structural change—specifically within Center 5 (C5), the internal management division responsible for RIIZE—remains as urgent as ever.
The Scope of the Protest
The three-week campaign was a massive collaborative effort involving both domestic (South Korean) and international fanbases.
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- Global Participation: Chinese fanbases played a major role in fundraising for the trucks, while fans worldwide contributed through slogan submissions and synchronized hashtag campaigns on social media.
- The Message: The trucks displayed messages criticizing the current management’s direction, calling out specific failures in styling, content production, and comeback frequency.
- Targeted Criticism: The protest specifically aimed at the decision-makers within C5, accusing them of wasting the group’s “youthful potential” and the company’s capital on outdated and ineffective strategies.
Core Grievances: A “Broken Clock”
The fandom’s official statement released at the end of the protest was scathing in its assessment of SM’s Center 5.
They argued that the occasional positive decisions made by the center are merely a matter of chance, comparing C5 to “a broken clock that is right twice a day.” Key complaints listed by the fans include:
- Ineffective Creative Direction: Fans allege that the planning direction imposed by C5 reflects “outdated sensibilities” that are out of touch with modern K-pop audiences.
- Missed Opportunities: Despite reasonable demands for more frequent domestic comebacks, a higher volume of original music, and high-quality performances, fans claim they have been consistently ignored for the past two years.
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- Styling and Content Issues: The statement highlighted styling that sometimes hinders stage performances and a lack of trend-aligned short-form content (such as TikToks and Reels) that is crucial for maintaining global visibility.
Inefficient Management: Fans expressed frustration that talented individual staff members’ efforts are often neutralized by the poor choices of final decision-makers within the executive layer of C5.
Demanding a “Center Transfer”
The protest has brought a radical demand to the forefront: the transfer of RIIZE to a different management center or a complete replacement of the Center 5 head.
Fans questioned how they and potential investors could continue to trust a company that manages a high-profile boy group—the first to be introduced under a new name after seven years—in such a “careless manner.”
The fandom warned that if SM Entertainment fails to acknowledge the underlying causes of this discontent, the long-term health of the group’s intellectual property (IP) and the company’s 30-year legacy could be permanently damaged.
Not the End, But a Pause
The statement concluded by clarifying that no fan participates in such expensive and time-consuming protests for enjoyment. It was a “last resort” to ensure their voices were heard.
While the second round of truck protests has ended, the fandom emphasized that “nothing is truly over” until SM implements concrete improvements and structural changes.
They have pledged to continue taking collective action through their organized social media accounts if their demands remain unmet.
As of early January 2026, SM Entertainment has yet to issue an official response to the specific grievances raised during the three-week campaign.
However, the pressure on Center 5 is at an all-time high, especially as RIIZE prepares for the grand finale of their debut world tour in Seoul.
Industry observers are watching closely to see if SM will pivot its management strategy to appease one of its most vocal and economically significant fanbases.
