RIIZE, the highly anticipated rookie group from SM Entertainment, is facing criticism from fans over allegations of age discrimination in their Japanese fan club’s recent ticket lottery for their upcoming fanmeet, “RIIZE: The Secret LIEZ,” scheduled for January 18th and 19th at Pia Arena MM in Japan.
Fans have noticed an unusual pattern in the lottery results, with a disproportionate number of tickets for standing positions, which often have restricted views, being allocated to fans in their 40s and 50s. This observation has led to accusations of age discrimination against older fans, who are often considered a significant source of support for K-Pop artists.
RIIZE’s Japanese Fan Club BLASTED For Shocking Age Discrimination in Ticket Lottery Against Noona & Ajumma Fans
“I didn’t expect RIIZE’s Japanese management to be so discriminatory against noona and ajumma fans,” one fan expressed on social media. “They went to great lengths in filtering by age. As age increases, the chance of winning tickets decreases.”
Another fan echoed these sentiments, stating, “The first two rounds of seated tickets were mostly won by those in their 20s. The last round of standing tickets were won by those in their 40s and 50s. Noonas and ajummas won’t want to go anymore after standing for a few shows… Does RIIZE’s Japanese management have to kill off their fans’ age range like this?”
These concerns highlight a broader issue within the K-Pop industry: the potential for ageism and the importance of recognizing the diverse demographics of fanbases. Older fans, often referred to as “noona” and “ajumma” in Korean, are a significant source of support for many K-Pop groups, contributing significantly to album sales, concert attendance, and overall fan engagement.
The incident has sparked debate within the K-Pop community, with many fans questioning the fairness and transparency of the ticket lottery system. Some argue that such practices could alienate older fans and discourage them from participating in future events.
RIIZE’s management has yet to respond to these allegations. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and fair treatment for all fans, regardless of age, in the rapidly evolving world of K-Pop.
