Seunghan recently shared a heartfelt handwritten letter discussing his departure from the group RIIZEfollowing an official announcement by SM Entertainment. The decision comes shortly after fans sent a line of funeral wreaths to the group’s building.
Seunghan Announces RIIZE’s Departure After Funeral Wreath Controversy
On October 13, 2024, SM Entertainment’s division Wizard Production confirmed that Seunghan would be leaving RIIZE permanently, just two days after announcing his return to the group. This unexpected reversal left fans in shock and sparked mixed emotions within RIIZE’s fanbase.
In his letter, Seunghan expressed his thoughts on the decision and explained it leaving the group was a difficult choice. He acknowledged the support he received from fans and his fellow members, stating that would continue to support RIIZE despite his departure.
“After thinking deeply about whether I thought too much only about myself, whether I am causing too much harm to the members and the companyand if it’s really good for me to be part of RIIZE, which should be loved, I just felt worried and sorry. AS I think leaving the group is the right path for everyone,” he wrote.
“I don’t want to cause any further pain or confusion for the fans, and I don’t want to further harm the members, and I don’t want to further harm the company either,” he added.
His return, announced on October 11, came after a nearly year-long hiatus, sparking excitement among fans. However, news of his return was quickly met with strong opposition from some segments of the fanbase.
In protest, some fans sent wreaths to SM Entertainment headquarters, symbolizing their belief that the company’s production sensibilities were “dead”. The backlash prompted SM Entertainment to reconsider their decision, resulting in Seunghan’s withdrawal from the group just two days later. This series of events has left fans divided, with some supporting Seunghan’s departure while others lament the loss of a beloved member.
