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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Can 1.6 million signatures, online campaign bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN?

Can 1.6 million signatures, online campaign bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN?

Published Mar 14, 2026 09:15 am
A protest truck outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul to bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube, Facebook/ENHYPEN)
A protest truck outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul to bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube, Facebook/ENHYPEN)

The campaign of fans to bring K-pop idol Heeseung back to boy band ENHYPEN continued to snowball. 

On March 10, Belift Lab, the agency of ENHYPEN, announced that Heeseung will be leaving ENHYPEN and embark on a solo career. 

Belift Lab said through discussions, “it became clear that Heeseung has his own distinct musical vision and we have decided to respect it.” 

“BELIFT LAB has given much thought and consideration into ENHYPEN's future direction and goals. Through in-depth discussions with each of the members about the future they envision and the direction of the team, it became clear that Heeseung has his own distinct musical vision and we have decided to respect it. As such, Heeseung will be parting ways with ENHYPEN, and ENHYPEN will continue official activities henceforth as a group of six members.” the agency said. 

Heeseung, 24, also addressed this in a letter, saying, ““I've spent a long time sharing the results of my work with the company and discussing the best way to present them. After much deliberation, I've made the bold decision to follow the direction the company has suggested and return to you, ENGENEs, with a better side of myself,” he said in a post on the Weverse app. 

He added, “As you all know, I've been working on my personal projects, dedicating a lot of time to show you what I can do. There was so much I wanted to show you, but I also didn't want to let my own ambitions take precedence within the team. I will work hard to meet you again soon.”

Following the announcement, fans launched an online petition on Change.org titled “Allow Heeseung to Pursue Solo Activities Without Leaving ENHYPEN.”

Heeseung (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
Heeseung (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
ENHYPEN (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
ENHYPEN (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
The petition to bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN (Screenshot from Change.org)
The petition to bring Heeseung back to ENHYPEN (Screenshot from Change.org)

In the petition, fans and supporters asked Belift Lab and parent company HYBE to” allow Heeseung to release his solo album while remaining a member of ENHYPEN. Support parallel group and solo activities, as is common across the industry. Protect the integrity of ENHYPEN as a complete group.”

The petition reached one million signatures on March 11. It has been signed by 1.63 million people as of this writing. 

International fans also sent protest trucks outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul to urge the company to reconsider the decision. 

The trucks carried LED screens with different messages, including “ENHYPEN is 7” and “Bring back Heeseung.” 

On social media, fans have been posting comments including “brick back Heeseung” to make known that they want ENHYPEN to stay with seven members. 

Heeseung will not be participating in the 2026 [안녕, Melbourne] Music Festival that will be held in Melbourne, Australia on March 14. ENHYPEN will perform at 9:30 p.m. at the festival. 

On March 13, the six members of ENHYPEN–Sunghoon, Jay, Jake, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki–boarded their flight at Incheon International Airport for the festival.

The protest trucks for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
The protest trucks for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
ENHYPEN (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
ENHYPEN (Facebook/ENHYPEN)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)
A protest truck for Heeseung outside the HYBE headquarters in Seoul (Screenshot from DonWorks video on YouTube)

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