K-Pop group RIIZE loses Seunghan for second time

K-Pop star Seunghan is quitting the boy group RIIZE, according to a social media post on the group's official account.

The announcement comes only two days after Wizard Production, the SM Entertainment production company in charge of the group, revealed the 21-year-old's long-awaited comeback following a nearly year-long break.

K-pop boy group 'RIIZE' members Sungchan, Seunghan, Sohee, Wonbin, Shotaro, Eunseok and Anton at their debut showcase in Seoul on September 4, 2023.

Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement posted to RIIZE's official account on X (formerly Twitter) on October 13, translated by Soompi, Wizard Production apologized to BRIIZE (the group's fanbase) for "hurting" and "causing confusion" with their October 11 announcement that Seunghan would be returning to the group. The fast turnaround appeared to catch the group's followers off guard, with many of the post's reactions and reposts coming from supporters who were astonished and outraged.

Seunghan was put on indefinite suspension in November 2023 after images and videos from his personal life prior to the group's debut were posted online. The leaks showed him kissing an unnamed lady in bed while smoking a cigarette.

The October 11 statement announcing Seunghan's homecoming, translated by Soompi, expressed hope about the group's future, stating that the singer was anticipated to resume group activities in November.

The statement outlined in part: "We [Wizard Production] devoted our heart and soul into organizing RIIZE even before their debut, and we have concluded that RIIZE's next chapter would be much more significant if the seven members were all together. As a result, following extensive conversations with staff and members concerning the future direction of the organization's operations, it has been determined that Seunghan will rejoin the group."

According to the October 13 statement, the firm believes that Seunghan's return after "reflecting on his past wrongdoings" will "be able to give the artist and the fans greater joy." It followed with this: "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 often indicated his wish to quit the group for the sake of its members and fans. To honor the artist's decision, we are announcing Seunghan's departure from RIIZE rather than his joining the group," the statement said.

In a handwritten letter shared on fan portal Weverse, Seunghan addressed his resignation 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," the statement reads. It was translated by Soompi.

"So I believe that my quitting the group is the best option for everyone. I don't want to create any more grief or uncertainty for the fans, nor do I want to injure the members or the firm any more," he said in the statement.

The singer expressed in the statement that he did not want RIIZE's relationship with 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 stated in the letter.

At the time of publishing, a Change.Org petition titled "We Want Seunghan Back!" had been started on October 13. Lauren Lim's post "Riize is 7!!!!!" has more than 85,000 signatures.

RIIZE has not issued any more announcements.