Riize’s Seunghan quits K-pop group: Confusing news follows 2 days after agency announced his return

RIIZE’s Seunghan is permanently quitting the boy group. The shocking news comes just days after the music act’s agency confirmed that he would be resuming his post following a long hiatus.

On Sunday, October 13, Wizard Production—the SM Entertainment division managing RIIZE—formally announced that Seunghan will no longer participate in the group. The 21-year-old artist reportedly expressed the desire to leave the band to safeguard his fellow members’ and fans’ feelings. Ultimately, he too, shared a handwritten letter on Weverse, sharing his side of the story.

Check out the Wizard Production’s official post and Seunghan’s handwritten letter:

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Brief overview of Seunghan’s RIIZE connection and controversy-ridden past

RIIZE debuted last year as a seven-member group (Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton). However, Seunghan was caught up in several controversies after his pre-debut pictures were leaked online. Numerous clips and other media pictured him smoking, spending time with girls and allegedly slandering a K-pop idol. Thereafter, for the sake of the other group members, the K-pop agency enforced a 10-month hiatus for Seunghan while the remaining six singers continued releasing new music and performing live.

On October 11, 2024, it was revealed that Seunghan would be resuming his activities as a RIIZE member. However, not all fans were happy about it. Some ‘OT6′ enthusiasts initiated protests, urging the group’s company to remove the singer so the other members wouldn’t be tied down to his previous scandals.

Reactions to Seunghan’s exit from RIIZE

A great majority of RIIZE fans (BRIIZE) set social media aflame, accusing the management of handling this case “unprofessionally.”

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A fan fumed in the comments, “Accepting bullying, normalising delusional and sasaeng behavior, and failing to protect a 21 yo artist while also putting another member in an uncomfortable position 30 minutes before they have to perform. Completely useless.” 

Another heartbroken fan commented, “I REALLY HATE YOU. ALL OF YOU OT6.” A third wrote, “Once again bowing to bullying! You don’t know how to protect your artists! You only encourage this sick culture of bullying against an innocent!” Numerous others even started trending the hashtag “SMSupportsBullying.”

This is a developing story.