It is not a new phenomenon to hear of entertainment companies’ CEOs doing things that benefit themselves rather than the artists under the company. Recently, fans of the girl group Rocking Doll took matters into their own hands to deal with this happening to the group.
Rocking Doll is a four-membered group under SRP Entertainment that debuted in 2021 with the digital single “Rocking Doll.”
The group made their first comeback in February of the following year, releasing their first English mini-album in September 2021. The group has since not released any more music, adding to the irritation fans have felt towards SPR’s CEO, Yulee Choi.
Yulee Choi also founded the label, having worked as a composer for many years prior. In 2023, she debuted as a soloist, releasing her first single, “Back To The Unknown,” in August.
It is common for CEOs to be musicians and release music, but Rocking Doll fans have issues with how Yulee has pursued her solo career.
After members Juri and Rena’s hiatuses were not officially announced for over two months, Ahri was announced to also go on temporary hiatus in June 2023 to study for her qualification exam. While Juri and Rena have returned as of March 6, there has been no word on Ahri.
Since their return, Rocking Doll’s YouTube channel has only uploaded six videos, with this being the only promotion the group has had recently. In comparison, Yulee has appeared in at least seven different magazines and released six different music videos for her releases.
🧵 In 2024 Yulee Choi, the CEO of SRP Entertainment, has been in or on the cover of seven magazines.
The companys only group has released 6 YouTube videos this year and nothing else.
WHERE IS AHRI#WhereIsAhri @srpent20 @Rockingdoll_@nugupromoter @nugunews1 @nugupromo pic.twitter.com/cYMFMaLtBG
— Rocking doll updates (@rockingdollpic) June 16, 2024
In most of the magazine interviews, Yulee has mentioned Rocking Doll and supporting the group’s endeavors.
Rocking Doll has still quite a small fan base, so I feel like I have to try to support them as much as I can. I have actually composed some songs for them, based on memories of being with the band members through our struggles
— Yulee in an interview for Numero Neatherlands
Fans have also pointed out the differences between Yulee’s website and Rocking Doll’s. Rocking Doll currently have their information and merchandise on two different websites, both of which are a bit clunky on both desktop and phone.
Yulee’s website has a more user-friendly set-up, with all of her information in one place.
Recently, these grievances came to a head with the announcement of Yulee’s Live In The US Tour.
Scheduled to take place on July 20, 2024, in Los Angeles, the concert appears to be the start of a planned US tour.
Due to the CEO’s lack of response regarding Rocket Doll, as well as the group not having made a comeback in nearly two years, fans took action to send a message. Yulee’s concert is free to attend, with tickets being available online.
Rocking Doll fans set out to reserve all of the tickets available, in order to make sure no one would attend and successfully sold out the event.
[‼️]CALL TO ACTION ‼️‼️
In order to ensure nobody actually attends Y*lees concert in LA, and as an act of protest, we’re going to MASS RESERVE all the tickets. The tickets are FREE, so this comes at no cost to you. You can get up to TEN TICKETS for yourself.
Tutorial below pic.twitter.com/KLx1lOvyQO
— Rocking doll updates (@rockingdollpic) July 11, 2024
The event has now changed to where tickets are only available at the doors, but the message seemingly was delivered. Fans do not seem to mind that Yulee has her own solo career, but want her to also manage Rocking Doll properly as their CEO.
To all of the people saying this is “mean” or “undeserved” please know that this comes after MONTHS of using other methods to no avail. This is a last resort. https://t.co/sk6ESiCTZW
— Rocking doll updates (@rockingdollpic) July 12, 2024
to call this mean and undeserved is CRAZY when she’s mistreated these girls literally since their debut and does not care for them in the slightest. one of the members is literally MISSING with 0 updates on where she is or what she is doing. this is definitely deserved. https://t.co/E3lv7TpxRo
— abby 💫 #LOVEorHATE (@solaraeri) July 12, 2024
the comments… it’s called standing up for your artists, fandoms will complain about bad treatment and then do nothing about it. Tired of ceos using groups to stroke their own egos. https://t.co/P2V2n8CPNZ
— virtual em (@4R0UNDY0U) July 12, 2024
