Seunghan, who had temporarily halted his activities due to personal controversies, has officially left the K-pop group Riize. SM Wizard Production announced yesterday, “Seunghan has expressed his intention to leave the team for the well-being of his fellow members and fans,” confirming his exit from Riize.
The company stated, “We sincerely apologize for the pain and confusion caused to the Briize(Riize fandom) following Seunghan’s return announcement on the 11th. We regret not prioritizing the growth achieved by the six members of Riize, the invaluable support from fans during this process, and the meaningful moments shared between Riize and Briize.”
SM Wizard Production added that Seunghan’s return had been a decision made after considerable reflection. “We believed that if he took responsibility for his past mistakes and rejoined the group, it could lead to greater happiness for the fans as the team grew together. Most importantly, we sincerely apologize to the six members who have continuously given their all since their debut. We will do everything we can to support their ongoing growth.”
Seunghan also shared his feelings about his departure through a handwritten letter. He wrote, “I have been deeply reflecting on whether I have been too focused on myself and if I might be causing harm to the members and the company. I wondered if it was truly okay for me to be part of Riize. As I contemplated this, I was filled with worry and regret. Therefore, I concluded that leaving the team is the best path for everyone.”
He further expressed his concern for the fans and the group, stating, “I do not want to cause any more confusion or pain to the fans, nor do I wish to harm the members. Though I feel inadequate, I’m truly grateful to the company and the members for offering me another chance. I’m also deeply sorry and thankful to everyone who supported me during this time.”
Seunghan’s letter also touched on his hopes for the relationship between Riize and their fans, Briize, saying, “It breaks my heart to see the people who love Riize in conflict because of my actions. I hope that the Riize I love will continue to thrive and be cherished even more, and I will fully support them.”
Seunghan debuted as a founding member of Riize but quickly became embroiled in controversy after leaked photos showed him inappropriately interacting with women and smoking in public while performing. These incidents led to his decision to halt activities just two months after Riize’s debut last November.
Following SM’s announcement of Seunghan’s return, some fans protested strongly, even sending condolence wreaths to the company’s headquarters. Ultimately, with Seunghan’s departure, Riize will continue to operate as a six-member group, aligning with the wishes of their fans.
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