The Dark Side Of K-Pop: Seunghan Leaves RIIZE, How Fan Entitlement Is Ruining Idols’ Careers
Seunghan made his debut as a member of RIIZE in September 2023. Just 2 months later, the K-pop idol was put on a temporary hiatus. While he was confirmed to return to RIIZE in November 2024, SM Entertainment revealed that the singer would be departing from the group. Seunghan’s sudden removal from RIIZE has sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, and raised questions about the growing fan entitlement in the community.
Why was Seunghan on a hiatus?
Before his departure, Seunghan had been on an 11-month long hiatus that began on November 22, 2023. The former RIIZE member had been put on an indefinite break just two months after his debut as pre-debut photos and videos surfaced online. In the clips and pics that went viral in August 2023 (a month before RIIZE’s official debut), Seunghan was seen kissing an unidentified woman in a bed and smoking a cigarette.
Though it may not seem like a big deal by Western standards, it was a major scandal in South Korea, a nation that in spite of its rapid modernization, remains socially conservative. Korean fans condemned Seunghan’s actions, deeming them inappropriate for a K-pop idol, and protested his removal even before the highly-anticipated debut of the boy band.
While SM Entertainment didn’t remove him from the group’s lineup, he was forced to halt all activities due to the scandal’s escalation. With Seunghan on a hiatus, RIIZE continued to promote as six members.
Seunghan’s potential return
In January 2024, two months after Seunghan suspended all his activities, there was hope that he would return. Speculation rose after a report that revealed RIIZE would make a comeback in January mentioned the names of all seven members. Unfortunately, just hours later, the article was edited. Following that, South Korean media outlet Dispatch confirmed that RIIZE’s January comeback (Love 119) would be carried out with only six members.
Seunghan re-joins RIIZE
After 11 months of radio silence from SM Entertainment about Seunghan, fans got a rather upsetting update on October 11. South Korean media outlet SWAY reported that Seunghan would be leaving the group. However, just hours later, SM Entertainment rubbished the report by officially announcing his return to RIIZE.
In a lengthy letter, specifically dedicated to BRIIZE (RIIZE’s fandom), SM Entertainment explained everything that happened behind the scenes, as well as when Seunghan would officially return. “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. After joining the group and preparing for a certain amount of time, we plan for Seunghan to gradually participate in some of the group’s scheduled activities for November and greet the fans once again,” the official statement read.
While international BRIIZE as well as non-fans celebrated the news, Korean fans were not too happy about it. To show their displeasure over Seunghan’s return to RIIZE, a handful of K-fans sent around 1000 funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment. Some also sent death threats to the singer. RIIZE’s ‘OT6 fans’ argued that Seunghan wasn’t professional, and had betrayed their trust by dating. Some also stated that his past scandals could affect the group’s reputation.
Wonbin stands up for Seunghan
As the protest by OT6 fans continued, Wonbin wrote a note to back up his bandmate. “Us, Seunghan and the company, have talked about this for a long period of time. I just want you to know that all the members thought about it together and gave a lot of thoughts on this over and over again,” he wrote, “ before adding, “I promise that we’ll continue to work hard without changing, so that RIIZE can remain as BRIIZE’s pride.”
Seunghan leaves RIIZE
Just two days after SM Entertainment announced Seunghan’s return to RIIZE, the label shared that he would be permanently leaving the group due to intense backlash from Korean fans.
Explaining the reason for his exit in a handwritten letter, Seunghan wrote, “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. So I think that my leaving the group is the right path for everyone,” before adding, “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.”
The quick reversal came as a surprise to the RIIZE’s global fandom, with many criticizing the toxic fan behaviuor that has become the norm in the K-pop industry. To show their displeasure with SM Entertainment’s decision, thousands of international fans as well as non-fans unfollowed RIIZE’s social media accounts and created a Change.org petition to demand Seunghan’s return. They also refused to buy any RIIZE merchandise or albums.
K-pop idols show support for Seunghan
Amid the protests, Super Junior’s leader Leeteuk seemingly showed his support for Seunghan. Even former DAY6 member Jae aka eaJ spoke up about the situation. “The funeral flowers were disgusting. The same people who sent them will be the first ones online mourning the tragic outcome they fought for. God forbid tragedy occurs but I’ve been on that side before and It was close. I can’t imagine the trauma it would cause someone that young,” the former K-pop star tweeted, before adding, “Anyone involved in the flowers should be tried for attempted murder because that is what that was.”
RIIZE’s return to Seunghan could have been just the change that the K-pop community needs when it comes to entitled fans. As opposed to western singers such as Chappell Roan, K-pop idols cannot openly defend themselves against entitled fans. Due to this, sasaeng fans have continued to exist for decades. Over the years, such fans have become so powerful that they have the ability to dictate the lives of their idols. Before Seunghan, former LE SSERAFIM member Garam, TEMPEST’s Hwarang and more idols had their careers ended because of protests by these fans. With Seunghan’s return, fans saw a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, it didn’t last very long.