Tag: Seunghan

SM Entertainment’s rookie boy group RIIZE made their first public appearance without Seunghan. This marked their debut appearance as a 6-member group, addressing the public following Seunghan’s suspension.

RIIZE Attends Breast Cancer Awareness Event As 6-Member Group

On November 24, RIIZE was in attendance at the 18th W Korea Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign event held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The members who were present were Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton. This also marks the first time that RIIZE made an appearance as a 6-member group.

The group’s appearance comes after a series of controversies involving Seunghan, which led to his indefinite hiatus from group activities. The controversies emerged when online posts exposed past photos of Seunghan, alleging behavior such as asserting dominance over fellow idol trainees at SM Entertainment and his previous agency, along with engaging in negative behavior during Instagram Live sessions.

RIIZE’s public appearance at the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign event serves as an opportunity for the group to make a collective statement and showcase their unity as a 6-member ensemble. It also allows them to engage with the public and fans, emphasizing their commitment to the group’s objectives and activities despite the challenges they have faced.

Seunghan’s Suspension Proves Image is Everything in K-Pop

The controversy surrounding Seunghan prompted SM Entertainment to take decisive action by announcing his indefinite hiatus from RIIZE’s group activities. The agency also aims to address and manage the situation, ensuring the well-being and reputation of the group.

The K-pop industry often navigates challenges related to the public image and behavior of its idols. Agencies play a crucial role in managing and addressing controversies to protect the reputation of their artists and groups. RIIZE’s public appearance also reflects the agency’s efforts to continue promoting the group while addressing and managing the aftermath of the controversy surrounding Seunghan.

As RIIZE moves forward, the group will likely focus on their music and performances, seeking to build a positive image and regain the support of fans. The K-pop industry’s resilience is often demonstrated by how agencies and artists handle challenges and controversies, emphasizing growth, professionalism, and the pursuit of their artistic goals.

Seunghan has written a heartfelt letter following SM Entertainment’s announcement that he will be suspended from RIIZE’s upcoming activities. The rookie idol issued an apology to fans who were disappointed about his recent controversies.

RIIZE Member Seunghan Pens Heartfelt Letter for Fans

On November 22, Seunghan penned the heartfelt letter which was shared on the official RIIZE Weverse account. 

“First of all, I want to sincerely apologize,” Seunghan wrote. “I am well aware that my past thoughtless actions are causing a lot of harm to many people now. I truly regret and reflect on my behavior.”

He added, “I want to express my deepest apologies to the fans who have supported me and the members of RIIZE.”

Seunghan further stated, “I deeply regret that I have caused so much damage during a time when I should be working harder and striving for self-improvement. I will genuinely reflect on my actions and make a sincere effort to become a better person.”

“Once again, I want to apologize to the members, fans, and staff for any inconvenience I have caused,” the letter concluded.

SM Entertainment had previously confirmed that Seunghan will be suspended from the group’s upcoming activities. “Seunghan is sincerely sorry and reflects on the disappointment and confusion caused to the team and members as well as the fans due to issues related to his personal life. Seunghan felt a burden and responsibility and after deep consideration, made the best choice for the team. He expressed his intention to suspend his activities. We respected his opinion and decided to suspend his activities indefinitely,” their statement read.

Seunghan’s Many Controversies

Last week, Seunghan found himself at the center of yet another controversy related to his private life, as a live stream video from his private social media account was leaked. K-netizens expressed dissatisfaction with the RIIZE member for making disparaging remarks about another idol while casually referring to a female idol as if they had a close personal relationship. In the wake of the video leak, another clip emerged, this time depicting Seunghan smoking on the streets.

This incident marks the second time Seunghan has faced public scrutiny due to his controversial personal life. In a prior instance in August, the idol stirred controversy when alleged pre-debut photos circulated on the internet, showing Seunghan and a suspected girlfriend at a hotel. The resurfacing of such incidents has led to increased attention on Seunghan’s behavior offstage, generating discussions among fans and the public alike.

RIIZE is currently promoting the single “Talk Saxy”.

Seunghan will not be participating in an upcoming recording for a music show broadcast. The RIIZE member has reportedly cited health reasons for not joining the rest of the idol group in their latest activity. Interestingly, Seunghan’s absence coincides with the recent release of pre-debut photos involving the idol and his suspected girlfriend.

Seunghan Bows Out of RIIZE’s Scheduled Activities Due to Health Reasons

On August 29, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan will not be attending RIIZE’s pre-recording for Naver’s new music show “NPOP” later in the day. Although a reason was not immediately revealed, fans believed that it had to do with health reasons. Nevertheless, the rest of RIIZE were expected to participate. They will be promoting with the remaining six members.

A source from the agency has since provided some explanation. “Seunghan will be absent due to his poor health condition caused by a cold,” they elaborated.

Although SM Entertainment already shared the reason, people believe it has something to do with a recent post. An anonymous SNS user had shared a series of photos with no known source. They then accused RIIZE member Seunghan of visiting a hotel with an underaged girlfriend during his trainee days.

Both the agency and Seunghan have not addressed the allegations. In the meantime, the RIIZE member is taking his time to recover from his recent health issues.

RIIZE, a seven-member ensemble comprising Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and Anton, recently pre-released the track “Memories” on August 21, achieving the impressive feat of topping the iTunes Top Songs charts in eight regions. The group is now fervently preparing for their eagerly awaited debut, set to occur with the release of their first single album, “Get A Guitar,” scheduled for release on September 4, 2023.

We extend our warm wishes to Seunghan for a swift and complete recovery.