RIIZE's Seunghan Departs Group Amid Ongoing Controversy
In a whirlwind of events, Seunghan, a member of K-pop boy group RIIZE, has officially left the group just two days after his planned return was announced, marking the end of a tumultuous period for both the idol and the group.
The controversy surrounding Seunghan began in August 2023, shortly before RIIZE's debut, when pre-debut photos and videos of the young star were leaked online. These materials, which included images of Seunghan in a hotel room and instances of public smoking, ignited backlash within the K-pop community. Many fans deemed these actions inappropriate for a K-pop idol, leading to protests for his removal even before the group's official debut.
In response to the growing controversy, Seunghan paused his activities with RIIZE in November 2023. This hiatus lasted for nearly a year, during which time the group continued to perform as a six-member unit.
On October 11, 2024, SM Entertainment surprisingly announced that Seunghan would be resuming his activities as a RIIZE member. This decision was met with mixed reactions from fans, with many expressing disappointment and anger over his return.
However, the situation rapidly changed. Just two days after the announcement, on October 13, SM Entertainment's Wizard Production released a statement declaring that Seunghan would be leaving RIIZE permanently. The company stated, "This is to respect his wishes and the future of the group".
Seunghan himself posted a handwritten letter on the fan community platform Weverse, explaining his decision to leave. He expressed remorse for the controversies and the division among fans, stating, "I don't want to cause any more harm because of me".
The swift reversal of Seunghan's status - from announced return to permanent departure in just 48 hours - highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by K-pop idols. It also underscores the power of fan influence in the industry, as the decision to remove Seunghan came after significant backlash from RIIZE's fanbase, known as Briize.
This incident has sparked discussions within the K-pop community about idol behavior, fan expectations, and the challenges of managing public image in the face of controversy. As RIIZE continues as a six-member group, the industry watches closely to see how this will affect their future developments and the broader conversations about idol culture in K-pop.
