Korean agency SM Entertainment announced that K-pop idol Seunghan will be making his solo debut next year but many fans rejected the plan, saying they want to see him back in boy band RIIZE.
“Seunghan is currently preparing to debut as a solo artist in the second half of 2025, and is receiving full support and guidance across several aspects considered essential for a solo debut including systemized training, producing, management, and more,” SM Entertainment announced on Nov. 15.
It added, “Moving forth, updates on Seunghan will be shared via his official social accounts which launched today (15th, KST). Seunghan is determined to showcase a new side of himself as he embarks on his journey as a solo artist and carries out his talents and dreams. We kindly ask for your warm support and attention as he begins this new chapter.”
Seunghan (Facebook)
SM Entertainment's announcement about Seunghan in English and Korean (X)
The announcement was met with negative comments as international fans rejected the plan, saying they want to see Seunghan in RIIZE.
“The international fans are always clear with our demands. We demand Seunghan to be back to RIIZE, get the protection he deserves, and those who sent him the funeral wreaths to be faced with formal and public legal action,” RIIZE Indonesia Union replied to SM Entertainment’s announcement.
It added, “How are you going to let him debut as a solo artist when you have not performed anything in support of his well being ever since he got bullied out of his group? You are letting him to face everything by himself and take the fall for you.”
“We won’t stop boycotting ‼ #WEWANTSEUNGHANBACKTORIIZE,” a fan commented.
Another fan wrote, “You put this in english so you KNOW about our international presence. you clearly weren’t listening to us though. this was NOT what we were fighting for. ISSUE THE PUBLIC APOLOGY AND SUE THE FUNERAL WREATH SENDERS. his dream is being with riize, again you didn’t listen to him.”
“No clarifications about his departure. No apology from the company. No update about the legal actions to those who harassed him. And now you are going to redebut him as soloist and not bring him back to RIIZE???” a fan pointed out.
SM Entertainment continued to receive backlash from fans because of its flip-flop about Seunghan.
RIIZE, including Seunghan debuted in September last year but due to personal issues, he went on hiatus for 10 months.
Last Oct. 11, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would be coming back to RIIZE. However, just after two days, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would be leaving RIIZE instead as it bowed to pressure from some fans in South Korea who opposed his return to the group.
As a result, international fans started a boycott of RIIZE and staged protests in front the SM Entertainment building in Seoul urging the company to bring Seunghan back to the boy band, and take action and protect him.