SM Entertainment has declared a stern warning against malicious content and behavior made towards RIIZE online.
Here are the details.
SM Entertainment Announces Legal Action Against Malicious Posts Made Towards RIIZE
On March 13, SM Entertainment released an official statement announcing legal action against malicious content and behavior made to RIIZE.
According to the statement, the agency acknowledged the continuous flow of negative remarks, claims, and rumors against the boy group. It also addressed that the members are currently receiving insults and slanderous comments about their character.
SM clarified that these actions are criminal acts due to their defaming nature and how they violate the rights of the artists. It stated that the company is aware of the situation's gravity and that the reported materials are now being investigated.
The agency followed that these actions would be punished without hesitation. SM then encouraged everyone not to partake in such shameful acts to avoid legal consequences.
The statement concluded with SM expressing its sincerest gratitude to fans and assuring everyone that it will do its best to protect its artists. Read the full statement below:
"Hello. This is SM Entertainment.
On social media platforms and communities, false claims about the RIIZE members are being thoughtlessly spread online. This also includes illegal acts such as generating out-of-line posts, alongside attacks on the members' character with harsh remarks and slander.
We would like to inform everyone that these actions are criminal acts that can severely defame the character of our artists and have their rights violated. The agency has grasped the current scope of the situation, and we are currently processing the collected material.
These illegal acts will be subject to punishment without any settlement or leniency.
Moreover, we would like to let you know that stalking, verbal abuse, profanity, sexual harassment, and other factors have impacted the privacy of the families and acquaintances of our artists.
We urge you not to get involved in such acts, as these actions are also considered criminal behavior that's punishable by law.
We express our sincerest gratitude to the fans who support RIIZE, and we will continue to protect our artists the best we can.
Thank you."
On platform X (Twitter), users drew mixed feelings towards the announcement. Fans questioned why SM didn't do the same for inactive member Seunghan, while others called the agency out for lacking action.
you should have done this with seunghan too, now you want to take legal action because you have almost the entire group being harrassed because YOU didn't give a fuck to protect seunghan and instead punished him for it, clearly inviting people to do the same with the others too https://t.co/W3B2aKwNFN
We've grown tired of SM's hypocrisy, never truly respecting fans' demands. And it has never properly protected its artists. We will revive the cheering truck project originally spearheaded by @AeriesBubble. Stay tuned for more details. https://t.co/XbfzeGwQ4v
this means absolutely nothing you posted a similar message two months ago and nothing changed. you keep posting these empty promises to try and keep the fans at bay but you never follow up with anything you have zero interest in actually doing anything to protect your artists https://t.co/5WhYF8p5QP