RIIZE’s debut album made headlines in September 2023 when it reportedly bought over 1 million copies throughout the first week, securing its place alongside ZEROBASEONE within the unique million-sellers membership.
In accordance with Circle Chart’s month-to-month album gross sales chart from September, the overall gross sales for ‘Get A Guitar’ reached 1,039,600 copies by the tip of that month.
Nonetheless, current developments have left netizens questioning the authenticity of RIIZE’s million-seller standing. In accordance with the December version of the Circle Chart, which displays yearly gross sales, ‘Get A Guitar’ has recorded a lower in complete gross sales, now standing at 1,038,084 copies since its launch.
What has additional fueled suspicions is the group’s intensive use of fan occasions. RIIZE has organized over 60 occasions, requiring followers to buy albums for particular privileges and advantages, even after concluding promotions for ‘Get A Guitar’ and releasing subsequent singles like ‘Speak Saxy’ and ‘Love 119’. As an alternative of boosting the group’s yearly album gross sales, these occasions seem to have contributed to a decline in total gross sales figures.
On the earth of Ok-Pop, a typical apply entails artists and their administration collaborating with album distributors to strategically “place orders of albums upfront”. This tactic just isn’t solely authorized however extensively accepted, permitting distributors to anticipate increased demand and arrange particular occasions corresponding to fan indicators or fortunate draw promotions. Nonetheless, the important thing to this technique lies in diligently “filling the quota” earlier than concluding promotions for a particular album. In different phrases, artists be sure that the variety of albums ordered and bought “upfront” aligns with the precise gross sales achieved by means of occasions and promotions.
Netizens have raised a number of factors of concern. Firstly, RIIZE seemingly failed to realize the meant gross sales quota related to the superior album orders, resulting in a lower in Circle Chart’s recorded album gross sales. Secondly, the group continued promotions for brand spanking new songs whereas holding occasions related to the previous album, ‘Get A Guitar’. Lastly, doubts linger about whether or not RIIZE may have achieved million-seller standing with out resorting to superior order ways.
The web neighborhood is buzzing with feedback as netizens specific their skepticism and disappointment. One consumer remarked, “SM pulled a quick one to construct hype for RIIZE so they might have the ‘Million-Vendor’ title, however in the long run, we cannot ever know in the event that they had been truly able to promoting one million albums simply with their debut…” One other consumer criticized the accolades and a focus acquired by the group, stating, “Ultimately, all of these awards that they received, all of that focus they have been getting because the ‘rising rookies’, was all fabricated lies”.
One other remark displays a way of disillusionment, claiming, “They need to really feel ashamed about being known as ‘Million-Sellers.’ They barely met that 1 million quota by holding 60+ fan occasions even after they completed promotions and launched new music”. Some netizens go so far as suggesting another award, saying, “They should not be getting the ‘Greatest Rookie Award,’ they need to be getting the ‘Greatest Sajaegi Award'”.
The unfolding controversy has ignited a wave of discussions throughout the Ok-Pop neighborhood, prompting followers and critics alike to reevaluate their perceptions of RIIZE and the business at giant.
