Seunghan, a former member of the K-pop group RIIZE, has found himself at the center of a global wave of support following his sudden departure from the group on Oct. 13.
Just two days earlier, Wizard Production, a division of SM Entertainment responsible for RIIZE, had announced Seunghan’s scheduled return in November after an 11-month hiatus. However, the agency was forced to retract this statement after intense backlash from local fans.
The situation escalated when over 1,000 funeral wreaths, traditionally used in Korea to mourn the dead, were delivered to the front of SM Entertainment’s building in Seoul. These wreaths carried harsh and threatening messages directed at Seunghan, expressing discontent over his potential return and demanding RIIZE remain a six-member group. The extreme reaction from local fans prompted SM Entertainment to reconsider their decision, leading to Seunghan’s permanent departure from the group.
However, this move sparked outrage among international fans, who quickly mobilized online and offline to show their support for Seunghan and advocate for RIIZE as a seven-member group. Many deemed his forced exit “inhumane” and “unlawful,” believing that Seunghan was bullied into leaving the group. His name and hashtags #BringBackRII7E and #SMSupportsBullying began trending on X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 2 million posts.
International fans also launched a petition that has already gathered more than 200,000 signatures.
Fans from around the world, particularly in the U.S., Thailand, Latin America, and the Philippines, joined in solidarity, condemning SM Entertainment’s handling of the situation. Support trucks were sent and parked in front of SM Entertainment’s building in Seoul, displaying digital billboards with messages like “SM Protect Your Idols” and “WE LOVE YOU SEUNGHAN.”
Additionally, a subway station near SM Entertainment’s headquarters, which features fan advertisements for Seunghan, has been covered with handwritten notes from supporters, encouraging him to stay strong and reminding him that he is still loved and wanted by fans.
After debuting with RIIZE in September 2023, Seunghan took a hiatus in November 2023 following personal controversies.
The hiatus was believed to be connected to the leak of private photos and videos of Seunghan in intimate situations with a former girlfriend and smoking in public. While many international fans viewed the incident as an invasion of privacy, it caused significant backlash in his home country and other parts of East Asia, where cultural expectations around idols are stricter.
The divide between Korean and international fans has been stark, with many Korean fans insisting that idols must maintain a pristine image, while international fans argue that Seunghan’s personal life should not affect his career.
Two days after news of his departure from RIIZE, Seunghan remains a trending topic, with his exit highlighting the unfair treatment of entertainment companies toward their artists, the mental health of Korean celebrities, and the dangerous parasocial relationships fans have developed with their idols.
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