Seunghan faces backlash at home but gains international sympathy after sudden exit from group RIIZE. Seunghan left RIIZE on 13 October after a backlash from local fans.
Over 1,000 funeral wreaths with hostile messages were sent to SM Entertainment’s headquarters.
Seunghan, a former member of the K-pop group RIIZE, has garnered worldwide support following his abrupt departure from the group on 13 October. The decision came just days after SM Entertainment, through its subsidiary Wizard Production, had announced that Seunghan would return to the group in November after an 11-month hiatus. However, intense backlash from local fans forced the company to reverse its decision.
The situation escalated when more than 1,000 funeral wreaths were delivered to SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul. These wreaths, traditionally used in Korea to mourn the dead, carried hostile and threatening messages towards Seunghan. Local fans expressed their anger at his potential return, demanding that RIIZE remain a six-member group. This extreme reaction led to Seunghan’s permanent departure, a move that has since sparked international outrage.
Fans from across the globe quickly mobilised to show their support for Seunghan. Many considered the decision to be “inhumane” and “unlawful,” claiming that Seunghan had been pressured into leaving the group.
Hashtags such as #BringBackRII7E and #SMSupportsBullying began trending on X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 2 million posts in just a few days. A petition calling for Seunghan’s return has also gained significant traction, gathering more than 200,000 signatures.
International fans, particularly from the United States, Thailand, Latin America, and the Philippines, have rallied in solidarity with Seunghan. Support trucks were stationed outside SM Entertainment’s building in Seoul, displaying messages on digital billboards urging the company to “protect its idols” and expressing love for Seunghan. Fans also left handwritten notes of encouragement at a nearby subway station, reminding the singer that he is still loved and supported by many.
Seunghan initially debuted with RIIZE in September 2023 but went on hiatus two months later after personal controversies surfaced. The controversy was tied to leaked private photos and videos showing Seunghan in intimate situations with a former girlfriend and smoking in public. While many international fans viewed this as an invasion of privacy, it sparked significant backlash in his home country, where idols are held to stricter cultural standards.
The stark divide between local and international fans has become apparent throughout this ordeal. Korean fans have insisted that K-pop idols should maintain a flawless image, while international fans argue that Seunghan’s private life should not dictate his career. This controversy echoes the experiences of other K-pop idols, such as Won-ho from Monsta X, who left his group in 2019 amid allegations of past drug use and financial issues, despite widespread support from global fans.
Seunghan’s departure has once again shone a light on the pressures faced by Korean celebrities, the role of entertainment companies, and the intense, often unhealthy, relationships between idols and their fans. As the debate continues, Seunghan remains a trending topic, with many advocating for his return.
Comments