MANILA, Philippines — After announcing the supposed return of Seunghan to K-pop boy group RIIZE, SM Entertainment reversed course on Sunday, October 13, and said that the artist will be leaving.
“We ruminated carefully on each and every one of the opinions and responses sent in by fans, and we realized that our decision had actually hurt fans more and caused them greater confusion instead,” SM Entertainment said in a statement, according to a translation from Soompi.
The agency added that Seunghan has “consistently expressed his desire” to leave RIIZE for the remaining six members and fans. It added that SM will “support Seunghan in the future so that he can showcase his talents and follow his dreams.”
Following the announcement, Seunghan posted a handwritten letter on Weverse, saying his decision to leave RIIZE was “the right choice for everyone.”
“After pondering deeply whether I’ve been thinking only of myself too much, whether I’m causing too much harm to the members and the company, and whether it’s really okay for me to be part of RIIZE, who should be loved, I only felt worried and apologetic,” he said.
SM originally said on Friday, October 11, that RIIZE’s next activities would “be even more meaningful if the seven members were together.”
Seunghan was supposed to rejoin group activities in November.
Following the sudden announcement of Seunghan’s departure from RIIZE, social media users criticized SM for reversing its decision instead of “reflecting on Seunghan returning to the team” and protecting him.
RIIZE member Wonbin also explained the original decision to bring Seunghan back in a now-deleted Weverse post in the early hours of Sunday, before the new decision.
“We also had countless discussions with Seunghan and the company over a long period of time. What I want you to know for sure is that the members thought deeply over and over again, and considered thoroughly together,” he said.
Seunghan went on an indefinite hiatus in November 2023 after a slew of private life controversies emerged. Anonymous users leaked videos of Seunghan’s live broadcasts, photographs of him smoking and kissing, and other controversial material.
Other RIIZE members include Sohee, Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, and Anton. The group made its debut with the single “Get a Guitar” on September 4, 2023. – Rappler.com
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