Today, SM Entertainment he confirmed RIIZE‘S Seunghan will return to group promotions after a 10-month hiatus. The company and Seunghan released respective statements.
To Breeze who loves Rise pic.twitter.com/EMv3O6qYXm
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 11, 2024
To BRIIZE who loves RIIZE,
Hi, I’m Wizard Productions, producers of RIIZE.
We would like to carefully let fans know about Seunghan’s return and the direction of RIIZE’s activities.
As you all know, it’s been about 10 months since Seunghan took a break from group activities due to personal issues prior to his debut.
Seunghan recognized that his actions in the past were wrong and thought deeply about this to the displeasure of his members and fans, stopping his activities for almost a year. We also recognize that Seunghan’s behavior was unbecoming of an artist, so we spent a lot of time thinking about when to resume his activities.
We sympathize with fans’ concerns and concerns that go beyond curiosity as there was no information regarding Seunghan’s activities, but we are truly sorry to tell you our decision on RIIZE’s future activities only now after much discussion from various angles .
We have been planning RIIZE’s next chapter since before their debut and believe it will be even more meaningful with all seven members together. After several discussions with the staff and members about the future direction of the group, it was decided that Seunghan will join the group.
After joining the group and preparing for a while, Seunghan will start participating in some group activities starting in November and will greet his fans again.
Seunghan has been working hard to improve his skills even during his hiatus and we hope you will continue to watch him with fond eyes as he has much more to show you in the future.
Once again, we would like to apologize for the confusion and distress caused to fans who have witnessed and supported RIIZE’s growth. However, RIIZE is a group that grows together and makes its dreams come true.
The members put the group first and are continuing to train hard, even at this time.
We ask you to trust our decision so that we can properly showcase a seven-member RIIZE to fans.
We are sure that many of you are wondering what the next chapter of RIIZE will be, how much more they will grow, what their dreams are and how these dreams will come true in the future. As the ones closest to RIIZE and their biggest fans, we can’t wait for their next chapter.
In the future, we will continue to share the same dreams as the members and work hard to repay everyone with good music and great performances from RIIZE. Please continue to stay with us through all the moments of growth and fulfillment that members will go through.
— SM Entertainment
Following the announcement, international K-Pop fans took to social media to react to the news.
everyone comes and claims their Seunghan “I survived the break” badge pic.twitter.com/gwICC5VUe3
— ayden ☆ SEUNGHAN RETURN!!!!! (@tiotsz) October 11, 2024
I PRAYED FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/a9HGuEq61W
— She 💫 (@renjuunized) October 11, 2024
— Shankusu n.1 (@theamazingduang) October 11, 2024
Many are rejoicing over Seunghan’s return, as most international fans hoped the group would remain with seven members.
lucky number 7 pic.twitter.com/91ndEnuirK
— YANGYANG DAY (@subakluver) October 11, 2024
seunghan at his first performance: https://t.co/pn1OwIILjG pic.twitter.com/wODMZRUdsr
— bad bat ☆ (@MAHAEPILLED) October 11, 2024
you can NEVER take down a bad bitch pic.twitter.com/5EiUvXQ4F5
— 𖦹 (@404liznotfound) October 11, 2024
It was especially good for fans of the SM Entertainment group, both Seunghan and NCT‘S Renjun it was announced that they will end their respective breaks this week.
how Dreamzens and Briize woke up this week pic.twitter.com/tjXnKvynrC
— ꕤ (@jaeminners) October 11, 2024
Renjun returns after 6 months break and Seunghan returns after 10 months break LIFE IS WORTH LIVING
— ْ (@dreamleeline) October 11, 2024
DID TRADE WORK…? 😭 https://t.co/uP4tNPrOs9
—rina (@kittytenz) October 11, 2024
Many fans took Seunghan’s hiatus personally, as they felt he was being punished for not taking part in non-criminal activities but rather the normal activities that every young person does. Netizens are calling her comeback significant for the K-Pop community and a testament to not giving in to toxic fan culture.
I’m not even dramatic, this is one of the best things to ever happen to the kpop community in recent years https://t.co/70js8NsNS8
— Winnie ᵕ̈ (@hongteezer) October 11, 2024
I’m not mad at it, but I’m genuinely happy for everyone who does it because the love of his fans literally saved his career. people wouldn’t let him go, that’s why sm wouldn’t let him drop. such great news https://t.co/Sy23bANLAW
– Francis! WHIPLASH 🏁 (@setfranonfire) October 11, 2024
Like I took that boycott VERY seriously 😭 https://t.co/lBnTEYzK9B
— Jada Z (@thedoughnanapro) October 11, 2024
even if you’re not a Riize Stan, I think Seunghan’s return means a lot to the kpop community because it’s a testament that idols SHOULD NOT bow to the delusions of crazy fans or the toxicity of fan culture https://t. co/ivUuFRNzOE
— gab ୨ৎ (@sunfloweryves) October 11, 2024
Despite the meaning, most fans react to memes with joy. Some are even breaking it down One direction terms.
for non-k-pop fans it’s like Zayn going back in one direction https://t.co/jDNmnxzG4K
— glow ⟢ 1VERSE!! (@unwookz) October 11, 2024
the fall of Liam Payne… AND SEUNGHAN’S RIIZE https://t.co/rZkzMISlE8
— xo, cyd⁺¹ ୨୧ (@staroswrld) October 11, 2024
For months before Seunghan’s return, fans were hopeful thanks to hints about his return, especially from the members.
this confirms to me that the possible suggestions from the guys during the months of Seunghan’s return were real and we didn’t just make it all up
— scar 🎸🐯 (@wonbinsbeanie) October 11, 2024
the empty space they left for him in their choreography… nodding and noticing Seunghan’s signs… placing their fingers to create 7s… the list goes on and we were right every time https://t.co/ Pl763TbOJw
— min⁷⁺⁵ HANI RETURN (@jinkookIy) October 11, 2024
International fans point out that Seunghan mentioned his members’ support in his letter. So he wouldn’t have come back if it wasn’t for them.
HE SAID THE MEMBERS HOLD HIS HAND THROUGHOUT EVERYTHING OH IM GONNA SHDJDMDMCMG
— scar 🎸🐯 (@wonbinsbeanie) October 11, 2024
hi, here’s a very simple thing: if the other members didn’t want to be part of the group anymore, Seunghan wouldn’t have come back, hope this helps 🙏🏽
— ♱ (@bubblybinsu) October 11, 2024
Despite international fans’ support for Seunghan, the sentiments are not entirely shared in Korea. SM Entertainment staff are against it, some even despise international fans, and Korean netizens have also expressed their disapproval. Even some self-styled RIIZE fans have now sent wreaths in protest. Read more below.
Fans bombard SM Entertainment with garlands protesting RIIZE Seunghan’s return
Struggles and victories of the idols
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