Seunghan has left K-pop boy band RIIZE just two days after his return to the group was announced as his agency bowed to pressure from some fans in South Korea who opposed the decision.
On Oct. 11, SM Entertainment’s Wizard Production, which is in charge of RIIZE (라이즈), announced Seunghan’s return to the group after undergoing 10 months of hiatus starting last year due to personal issues.
“As a result of several discussions with the staff and members regarding the future direction of the team's activities, we have decided that Seunghan will return to the team,” Wizard Production stated then.
Seunghan (Facebook)
RIIZE (Instagram)
RIIZE (Screenshot from Weverse app video)
However, Seunghan faced backlash from some fans in South Korea who sent protest wreaths in front of the SM Entertainment building in Seoul.
The wreaths contained several messages including "Seunghan, withdraw your return," "RIIZE exists as six members," and "Hong Seung-han is out."
This is in contrast to international fans who are supporting Seunghan’s return to RIIZE.
On Oct. 13, Wizard Production issued another statement to announce Seunghan’s departure from RIIZE.
"First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for the great hurt and confusion caused to BRIIZE [fandom] members due to the announcement of Seunghan's return on the 11th,” according to the letter that came from Wizard Production General Directors Kim Hyung-guk and Lee Sang-min.
It added, “We are especially sorry for not prioritizing the growth that the six members of RIIZE have achieved through their best efforts, the support of BRIIZE, who have been the greatest strength in the process, and the preciousness of the time that RIIZE and BRIIZE have spent together, and for putting the production's position first.”
“We thought for a long time that if Seunghan repents his past mistakes, returns, and shows RIIZE growing as a team once again, we will be able to bring greater happiness to the artists and fans. This was a decision we made after much thought,” it said.
The company said, “However, after announcing the news of his return, we looked back on the opinions and reactions from fans one by one, and realized that our decision only caused more confusion and hurt to fans.”
“At the same time, Seunghan expressed his intention to leave the team for the sake of the members and fans. We respect the artist's decision, and we would like to inform you that Seunghan is leaving RIIZE, not joining. We will continue to support Seunghan so that he can pursue his talents and dreams,” it said.
It added, “And more than anything, we sincerely apologize to the six members who have consistently done their best since their debut, thinking of their fans, and worrying more than anyone else and working hard every moment to make RIIZE what it is today. We will continue to do our best in every way to support the RIIZE members so that they can grow even further. Wizard Production will be careful about everything going forward and will work hard to ensure that RIIZE and BRIIZE can be happy together for a long time.”
On Instagram, RIIZE’s account gained 19,461 followers on Oct. 11, the day Seunghan’s return was announced, its biggest daily gain since Oct. 1 based on analytics website Social Blade’s data.
However, on Oct. 12 and 13, a total of 6,747 people unfollowed RIIZE’s Instagram account.