Just two days after rejoining K-pop sensation Riize, singer Seunghan has decided to leave the group following fan backlash. The departure was confirmed by Wizard Production, SM Entertainment's team behind Riize. The 21-year-old’s return sparked protests from the group’s fanbase, Briize, leading Seunghan to make the difficult choice for the sake of the band and its supporters.
South Korean singer Seunghan has officially left K-pop boy band Riize, just two days after his rejoining was announced. The singer, whose full name is Hong Seung-han, had faced significant backlash from the group's fanbase, Briize, after SM Entertainment confirmed his return on 11 October.
The backlash followed a series of personal controversies surrounding the 21-year-old. In August 2023, photos of Seunghan kissing a woman in bed surfaced online, tarnishing his image ahead of Riize’s debut. Further controversy arose in November when images of him smoking underage were leaked, leading SM Entertainment to suspend his activities.
Despite these issues, SM Entertainment had hoped Seunghan’s return would allow both the group and its members to grow. However, a segment of the fanbase responded with protests, including the delivery of funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters with messages such as "Hong Seung-han Out" and "Riize Are Forever Six." Fans also staged a truck protest on 13 October, urging for his removal.
On 14 October, Wizard Production, the SM Entertainment team overseeing Riize, issued an official statement signed by directors Kim Hyeong-guk and Lee Sang-min. In their apology, they acknowledged the confusion caused by Seunghan's return and apologised for not prioritising the group’s collective growth and the unwavering support of Briize.
The directors revealed that Seunghan expressed his desire to leave Riize for the good of the group and its fans. Respecting his decision, they accepted his departure and pledged their continued support as he pursues his ambitions outside of the band.
Riize, SM Entertainment’s first new boy band in three years, debuted in September 2023 with the release of their physical single Get A Guitar, which sold over a million copies. Initially composed of seven members—Anton, Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan and Sohee—the group now moves forward without Seunghan.
Read RIIZE’s full statement below from Wizard Productions (with translation provided via Soompi):
Hello, this is Wizard Production.
First, we sincerely apologize for hurting BRIIZE [RIIZE’s fandom] and causing confusion through our announcement of Seunghan’s return on October 11.
We feel particularly apologetic for prioritizing Wizard Production’s position, instead of making our top priorities the growth achieved by the six RIIZE members while working their hardest; the support of BRIIZE, who have been RIIZE’s greatest source of strength during that journey; and the preciousness of the times that RIIZE and BRIIZE have spent together.
We made this decision after debating it for a long time because we thought that if Seunghan returned after reflecting on his past wrongdoings and RIIZE showed another level of growth as a group, we would be able to give the artist and the fans greater joy.
However, the announcement of his return, 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.
At the same time, Seunghan has consistently expressed his desire to leave the group for the sake of the members and the fans.
Out of respect for the artist’s decision, we are announcing Seunghan’s departure from RIIZE, instead of his joining the group.
We will support Seunghan in the future so that he can showcase his talents and follow his dreams.
Above all else, we also sincerely apologize for creating hardships and confusion for the six members who have, ever since their debut, always given their all while thinking of the fans and who made the RIIZE of today possible by thinking and working harder than anyone else in each and every moment.
We will continue to do our utmost to support the RIIZE members so that they can grow even further in the future as well.
Wizard Production will be careful and cautious in all matters in the future, and we will work hard so that RIIZE and BRIIZE can be happy together for a long time.
– Wizard Production directors Kim Hyeong Guk, Lee Sang Min
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