“MAMA Awards 2024 US” Reportedly Trashes All OT7 Related RIIZE Items, Including Colors
On November 21, The 2024 MAMA Awards (Mnet Asian Music Awards) began its first night of events at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. This year, the event has been stretched to three nights off events, with the second and third taking place November 22 and 23 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan.
The first night of MAMA includes a list of talented performers, including RIIZE.
However, in the weeks before, certain events changed how RIIZE’s inclusion in the line-up was taken.
After an extended hiatus, it was announced that former member Seunghan would resume activities. It was announced that he would no longer be a group member just days later.
Fans began protesting in various ways, including plans to protest at the MAMA Awards ceremony in the US. Following a list of boycotted items sparking some controversy, fans began planning creative ways of getting their point across.
LA BRIIZE lightstick cover project !!🫧 we are hoping all those attending the MAMA LA awards can show their support for SEUNGHAN and riize as 7 ! will post a tutorial on how to make your own 🔜 + will be making to pass out as freebies as well ‼️ pic.twitter.com/5Az2yNMikv
— lita 🫧sohee day 🥳 riize is 7 🧡 (@strawberrysoob_) November 14, 2024
However, it seems that even these protests that were not prohibited by the banned items list have been censored.
Shortly before and after the event began, fans began reporting that the venue’s staff told them that items with the number 7 were not permitted to enter the venue. According to some fans, even items that were just the color orange, which is associated with OT7 protests, were also banned including shirts.
why did a security guard at dolby theatre in LA just yell at us and say “no banners, no orange, NO 7/SEVEN” !!?!
— 💎 daisy… ✰ (@WANG7_VAV) November 22, 2024
so upset about how the staff have treated us literally acting like they’re getting paid will get a bonus for every cover and banner and project we spent so much time and money they throw away lmfaoo but THEY WILL HEAR US RIIZE IS 7 ‼️😭 #riizing7 #mama
— lita 🫧sohee day 🥳 riize is 7 🧡 (@strawberrysoob_) November 22, 2024
guys they almost didn’t let me in because I’m wearing an orange blouse omg they’re making everyone take off their ribbons, banners ANYTHING ORANGE OFF
— ashley is seeing riize today‼️💋 (@mexicanbts) November 22, 2024
This is no longer about what is allowed or not at the event because of the broadcast, but has become a violation of free speech. How can you ban a consumer because of a color or a number? SM, what do you think you are doing? Do you think we are going to be quiet and accept it?… pic.twitter.com/9hT3IjqiFC
— 𖤍 nali (@riizehq) November 22, 2024
Fans have called out the seemingly sudden change in what was allowed in, criticizing SM Entertainment.
changing rules when people are already entering the venue is not only disrespectful but insane as well because you told people no banners? okay they changed projects and now you’re even hesitant of letting someone in because they have an ORANGE BLOUSE? have some shame
— °゚º❍。 (@xcallburs) November 22, 2024
can have funeral wreaths up for days and never take them down but damn near making people take orange clothes off…. with or without seunghan is riize color not orange? your company’s choices are so ass backwards. @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/HB8NPpqXed
— vex ☆ (@jellypopology) November 22, 2024
so sm can let those atrocious death wreaths stay up for days on end, but will draw the line at fucking bows and 7s??? are you fucking serious… you will never silence us!! scream riize is seven as loud as you can!! other kpop fandoms eyekons gllits please help us as well!!! pic.twitter.com/EXj8dKqech
— bee ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆ (@hyowifey) November 22, 2024