K-Pop singer Seunghan is leaving the boy group RIIZE, in response to a social media publish from the group’s official account.
The information comes simply two days after Wizard Manufacturing, the SM Leisure manufacturing workforce accountable for the group, introduced the 21-year-old can be making his long-awaited return from an almost yearlong hiatus.
In a press release posted to RIIZE’s official account on X (previously Twitter) on Oct. 13, translated by Soompi, Wizard Manufacturing apologized to BRIIZE (the official title for the group’s fanbase) for “hurting” and “causing confusion” with their Oct. 11 announcement that Seunghan can be returning to the group. The short reversal appeared to return as a shock to the group’s fanbase, with lots of the publish’s replies and reposts coming from seemingly shocked and upset followers.
Seunghan was placed on an indefinite hiatus in November 2023 after pictures and movies from his private life earlier than the group debuted have been leaked on-line. The leaks confirmed him kissing an unidentified lady in a mattress and smoking a cigarette.
The Oct. 11 assertion, translated by Soompi, that introduced Seunghan’s return expressed optimism about the group’s future, explaining that the singer was anticipated to return to group actions in November.
The assertion learn partly: “We [Wizard Production] poured our heart and soul into planning out RIIZE even before their debut, and we have determined that RIIZE’s next chapter would be even more meaningful if the seven members were together. Therefore, after numerous discussions with the staff and members about the direction of the group’s future activities, it has been decided that Seunghan will be returning to the group.”
The Oct. 13 assertion stated the firm thought Seunghan returning after “reflecting on his past wrongdoings” would “be able to give the artist and the fans greater joy.” It continued: “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,” the assertion continued.
In a handwritten letter posted to fan platform Weverse, Seunghan defined his departure from the group. “After pondering deeply whether I’ve been thinking only of myself too much, whether I’m causing too much harm to the members and the company, and whether it’s really okay for me to be part of RIIZE, who should be loved, I only felt worried and apologetic,” he stated in the assertion, translated by Soompi.
“So I think that my leaving the group is the right path for everyone. I don’t want to cause any more hurt or confusion for the fans, and I don’t want to harm the members any further, and I also don’t want to hurt the company any further,” he continued in the assertion.
The singer added in the assertion he didn’t need the relationship between RIIZE and its followers to be “damaged.” “It also breaks my heart to see the fans, for whom it should be more than enough to just love RIIZE, fighting with each other because of me,” he wrote.
At the time of publication, a Change.Org petition created on Oct. 13 titled “We want seunghan back! Riize is 7!!!!!” posted by a person named Lauren Lim had garnered over 85,000 signatures.
RIIZE has not launched any additional statements.
