On December 22 (KST), the last day of the protest, the RIIZE fandom released a statement summarizing the three-week campaign, which was supported by fans both in South Korea and internationally. According to the statement, foreign fans played an active role through joint protests organized by Chinese fan communities, raising funds to cover protest costs, contributing slogans and coordinated hashtag movements across social media platforms.
The fandom has made it clear that they do not require immediate results, such as the immediate reassignment of RIIZE to a different management center. Instead, they stressed that SM Entertainment must take the unified voices of domestic and global fans seriously and respond with rapid and tangible improvements and long-term structural reforms.
Much of the criticism was aimed directly at C5. Fans argue that the center’s leadership squandered the potential of a group of young artists, abused company resources and underestimated the hard work of staff. They stated it C5’s planning direction is rooted in outdated perspectives that have also failed in the past and are particularly ineffective in today’s K-pop landscape. The statement further stated that the center has stubbornly clung to flawed strategies that would be avoided even by companies specializing in reverse viral marketing.
The fandom has described C5’s occasional good decisions as “no more significant than a broken clock that strikes twice a day” stating it Sporadic expertise deserves no praise. They underlined it regardless of the capabilities of individual staff members, real change is impossible if the decision makers themselves remain in control.
Fans have noted that over the past two years they have repeatedly seen reasonable requests ignored. These include more frequent national returns, a larger body of music and performances released, a style suited to the stage, short-form content aligned with current trends, and consistent in-house variety or behind-the-scenes content.
According to the statement, the requests of a “center transfer” OR “replacement of the central head” it did not emerge arbitrarily. The fandom sensed it if SM Entertainment fails to recognize the reasons behind these requests – or chooses to ignore them despite being fully aware of them – the consequences are inevitable. They wondered how fans and investors could continue to place trust in a company that manages a boy band launched under a new brand after seven years with such apparent negligence.
The statement also expresses concern that allowing the current situation to persist by explicitly naming C5 and some executives could damage SM Entertainment’s intellectual property and erode the company’s 30-year legacy.
Concluding their message, fans pointed out that no one participates in truck protests for fun. They described the demonstrations as a last resort effort to make one’s voice heard. As the second round of anti-truck protests ended, the fandom made it clear the problem itself is far from being solved unless SM Entertainment implements real structural change. They added that they will continue to take action through their platform if necessary.
As of now, SM Entertainment has yet to release an official response to the protest or demands made by RIIZE fans.
Sources: allkpop
