Is RIIZE Losing Momentum? US Stop Cancelled Amid Low Ticket Sales
- lewishooper1
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
From Seoul dominance to US disappointment: what RIIZE’s cancelled show tells us about international expansion.
Is RIIZE close to becoming cancelled?
RIIZE once made it as a household name amongst many Koreans; however, breaking into the international market and remaining relevant is another matter. RIIZE has found out the hard way, as they recently had to post a sudden cancellation of their US concert due to low ticket sales.
The show's cancellation has faced backlash from their US fans; however, should the fans have supported them more by purchasing tickets to the show? The Dojeon team thinks so!
One of the key problems which led to the cancellation is that the RIIZE team failed to promote the show enough in the US, in a way which would make US based fans want to purchase tickets to the show, and at an affordable price point since the cost of living crisis in the Western markets, that mixed with oversized venues, which RIIZE are unable to fill up.
Fans are particularly frustrated with SM Entertainment’s lack of transparency and last-minute communication, calling the move unprofessional. Some fans also believe the group’s momentum was already slowing due to earlier controversies, making the cancellation feel like a symptom of deeper issues internally.
Ambitious Venue Size
RIIZE’s Georgia stop was scheduled at the 13,000-capacity Gas South Arena, a space typically reserved for more established acts which are set to perform there.
Fans felt that the size of the venue, which was chosen for RIIZE, was far too big considering the band is not as well-known in the US.
Poor Communication
RIIZE fans learned of the cancellation less than two weeks before the scheduled date, and there was no formal public explanation from SM or the tour promoters, which has left them feeling frustrated and confused, especially those who had made travel arrangements. The lack of transparency damaged fan trust and painted the company as unprofessional and untrustworthy.
High Ticket Prices & K-Pop Market Oversaturation
Ticket prices for K-pop shows have climbed significantly in recent years, and with the cost-of-living crisis globally, especially in Western markets, K-pop fans are becoming more reluctant to pull the trigger on live music.
With multiple groups touring the United States around the same time, casual fans may have skipped RIIZE in favor of bigger names. In a saturated market, newer groups face tough competition without strong branding or a loyal following, even if people listen to their music from time to time. Would you have bought a RIIZE ticket?
Final thoughts
The Dojeon team believes that with so many K-pop acts to choose from due to the oversaturated market, it is hard for fans to know which K-pop acts to see in person. The sound of many K-pop acts is very similar, and with streaming platforms and social media offering concert experiences for a fraction of the price, this could be a reason why K-pop ticket sales are dwindling. K-pop groups really need to focus on performing a 'stand out' show to retain fans and boost ticket sales moving forward.
Do you think RIIZE is losing its connection with Western fans? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know!