Seunghan, a member of the K-pop group RIIZE, has officially decided to leave the group just two days after his agency, SM Entertainment, confirmed his return to activities. On October 13, 2024, Wizard Production, the division managing RIIZE, announced that Seunghan would no longer be part of the group. This decision comes after a brief period of public backlash and controversy surrounding his past actions.
Background
Seunghan’s journey with RIIZE has been tumultuous. He had been on hiatus for nearly ten months following a series of controversies that sparked significant discontent among fans. These controversies included leaked private photos and videos that depicted him in compromising situations. His return was initially announced on October 11, with plans for him to rejoin the group in November. However, the announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans and netizens alike.
Full Details
In a heartfelt handwritten letter shared on Weverse, Seunghan expressed his feelings about leaving the group. He mentioned that he did not want to cause any further confusion or hurt to his fellow members or fans. He stated that he had considered the “damage caused to the members and the company” and felt it was best for him to step away. Seunghan thanked both his teammates and the company for their support during his time with RIIZE.
The announcement of Seunghan’s departure has left fans in shock. Many had hoped for a reconciliation between him and the fanbase after his hiatus. However, the backlash against his return was substantial. Fans even went as far as sending funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters as a form of protest against Seunghan’s reinstatement.
Public Reaction
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative regarding Seunghan’s return and subsequent departure. Many fans expressed their disappointment on social media platforms, stating that they felt betrayed by both Seunghan and SM Entertainment. Comments ranged from outright anger to sadness over the situation.
Netizens had previously criticized SM Entertainment for their decision to reinstate Seunghan, arguing that it would harm the group’s reputation and dynamics. Some comments included sentiments like “The company is RIIZE’s biggest anti” and “They kept quiet about it all this time.” The backlash highlighted a division between international fans who may support Seunghan’s return and local fans who largely oppose it.
Future of RIIZE
With Seunghan’s departure confirmed, RIIZE will continue as a six-member group. The remaining members have shown support for Seunghan during this challenging time. They expressed their understanding of his decision and reiterated their commitment to moving forward together.
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As RIIZE prepares for its future activities without Seunghan, there is uncertainty about how this change will affect its music and fan engagement strategies. The group has gained popularity during Seunghan’s absence, leading many to wonder if they can maintain this momentum as a smaller unit.
