Seunghan, former member of RIIZE. Images: X/@RIIZE_official
The sudden departure of Seunghan from K-pop boy group RIIZE was hit by fans on social media, with many calling out their label SM Entertainment for not managing his 10-month hiatus properly.
Two days after Seunghan’s supposed return was confirmed, SM announced that he would officially leave the group on October 13. The label also noted that the decision was made “carefully,” saying that the K-pop idol “consistently expressed his desire to leave the group for the sake of the members and the fans.”
The announcement sent fans into an uproar, with many noting that Seunghan’s departure sets a “dangerous precedent” for K-pop groups and Korean agencies. Some also pointed out that his leaving the group was painful for his bandmates.
im sorry but letting delusional weird fans control the narrative of your group sets a disgusting and scary precedent. sm needs to protect their groups and do better – im devastated for seunghan and the other boys
— jenna (@hyuck4ever) October 13, 2024
korean fan culture is all about putting your idols on a pedestal, treating them like dolls, stalking them, and then bullying and harassing them when they don’t turn out to be exactly as you imagined. i’m so devastated.
seunghan deserves better. #SMSupportsBullying https://t.co/85nbFjLiJC
— ♡ (@talkthetrack) October 13, 2024
you know who’s not happy? the members, that’s right, congratulations for making shotaro eunseok sungchan wonbin anton and sohee unhappy and ignoring their feelings and hard work to bring their member and friend back, good luck stanning people who HATE you, GO TO HELL https://t.co/BL78dnwRkY
— kafkaesque ✶ TDS3!! (@jjonglovver) October 13, 2024
what happened to riize’s Seunghan and the group as a whole is heartbreaking. and it’s extremely unfortunate how SM and even artists in general always prioritize korean fans wishes. which is actually just a reminder that nothing change, it happened to henry lau in 2007 and it’s… pic.twitter.com/c1tVngBJEN
— M. (@itsxelf_) October 13, 2024
Some fans also called for a boycott of RIIZE’s activities, stressing that it would “send a message” that Seunghan’s presence is needed. One @haniebani said the latter’s departure can happen to other K-pop idols.
I really hope all OT7 Briizes stand on business right now and ACTUALLY boycott the group. Especially, international Briizes. Obviously SM wants to make a point that RIIZE will be fine without Seunghan and without the opinion of RIIZE’s international fanbase, so let them make it.…
— 𝕪𝕒𝕟𝕒 𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕒 💛📌 (@shiyanasays) October 13, 2024
Please, fans of other SM groups, boycott for the sake of their own artists. It happened to Seunghan, but it could happen to anyone else. Please help us#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN #AlwaysWithSeunghan #SMSupportsBullying #SEUNGHAN #홍승한 pic.twitter.com/3ofEvmKrJK
— pao ♡ 元彬 (@haniebani) October 13, 2024
Fans of other SM groups, we kindly ask for your help in joining this boycott for the sake of our artists. It’s Seunghan today, but it can be any other idol tomorrow.#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN #AlwaysWithSeunghan #SMSupportsBullying #SEUNGHAN #홍승한 pic.twitter.com/QlPWeBE4iy
— ria (@heesngluvr) October 13, 2024
While there aren’t any updates on Seunghan’s future activities, other fans hoped he would “live the life he deserves” whether he chooses to stay in the entertainment industry or leave for good.
above all, i hope seunghan gets to have the life he deserves. i hope he gets to eat at all his favorite restaurants, i hope he gets to hang out with his friends, i hope he laughs and he smiles and cheers throughout his 20s, i hope he doesn’t dwell on the what ifs.
— ü (@revitalizsed) October 13, 2024
Just want to put it out there that if having an ex girlfriend and smoking is such a huge sin, then half of the kpop idols we know and love would have left their groups years ago. Prosecuting a 21 year old for having a normal teenage life is insane. Seunghan doesn’t deserve this.
— Mono⁰-¹🌸👾 (@Monoghost_H) October 13, 2024
Since Seunghan’s departure, pop culture account Pop Base reported that RIIZE’s X (formerly Twitter) page lost over 14,000 followers. He, along with RIIZE and the hashtag “#SMSupportsBullying,” has also been trending on X, as of press time.
RIIZE’s Twitter/X account has lost more than 14,000 followers, following Seunghan’s departure from the group. pic.twitter.com/SN5YG2H7Yl
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 13, 2024
Image: Screengrab from X
Image: Screengrab from X
Who is Seunghan?
Born Hong Seunghan, he debuted as the dancer and vocalist of RIIZE in September 2023. He was a trainee for two and a half years known for his “outstanding skills,” and was a member of SM’s trainee team, SM Rookies.
Weeks after Seunghan’s debut, photos of him kissing an alleged girlfriend and smoking during his trainee days made rounds on forums, with Korean fans calling for his departure from RIIZE. This led to the K-pop idol taking a 10-month hiatus.
News of his supposed return was welcomed with mixed reactions from fans. A report from The Korea Herald said that Korean fans sent funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s office in Seoul with the messages, “Hong Seunghan Out,” “Remove Hong Seunghan,” and “RIIZE is Forever Six” in protest.
Despite this, RIIZE’s Wonbin appeared to stand up for him in a now-deleted post on Weverse.
“I think BRIIZE (RIIZE’s fandom) must have thought a lot over the past time, whether Seunghan is coming back or not, and why he doesn’t give a definite answer quickly. We also talked a lot with Seunghan and the company for a long time. I want you to know that the members thought, and thought deeply about it together,” he said.
I’ve never seen an k-pop idol who stood up for his member and talked about his situation to clear everything and shows everyone his support for his friend.Wonbin is the first one who did that he took the chance and mentioned Seunghan so fast
I love you so much Wonbin thank you🥹 pic.twitter.com/rvIy7oQyZ0— 🫧Seunghan’s protector🫧 (@hanibani_joy) October 12, 2024
RIIZE is currently composed of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton. The six-member group is best known for their songs “Boom Boom Bass,” “Get A Guitar,” and “Love 119,” to name a few.