The Weverse profile of former RIIZE member Seunghan was officially deleted on October 17, 2024, which ignited considerable backlash from fans. Many believe that SM Entertainment’s decision was hasty, as protests to reinstate him are still in full swing. Alongside the removal of his profile, RIIZE is now formally recognized as a six-member group, amplifying the discontent among numerous fans.
Sharing their frustration regarding the removal of the 21-year-old idol, one fan commented:
“They don’t care about our voice.”
In a show of solidarity with Seunghan, numerous fans have started leaving the RIIZE Weverse community, voicing their anger in the comment sections. They argue that his removal is unjust and criticize SM Entertainment for their handling of the situation.
“You can take down his Weverse profile, you can delete posts, but you will never erase how the members wanted him back in RIIZE. You will never make us forget how Wonbin stood up for him,” one fan expressed.
“It’s unacceptable!!,” another fan stated emphatically.
“I only joined Weverse to support Seunghan. I’m uninstalling now,” revealed a user.
A significant number of fans have criticized RIIZE’s management for not defending their artists against bullying from overly obsessed fans.
“I’m just furious at this point. SM, get your act together and stop with these ridiculous statements. He deserves to come back, and you know it,” an angry fan remarked.
“LET’S KEEP FIGHTING FOR SEUNGHAN,” another supporter declared.
“THIS URGES ME TO KEEP FIGHTING MORE,” one passionate fan echoed.
Seunghan No Longer on Weverse
On October 14, 2024, Seunghan from RIIZE officially announced his exit from the group after an indefinite hiatus which began in November 2023. He had just returned on October 11, bringing joy to fans momentarily before the shocking news of his departure surfaced.
This hiatus was prompted by backlash over leaked images showing him kissing a girl and smoking—acts that some K-pop fans deemed inappropriate at the time. Reportedly, these photos were taken before he debuted with RIIZE.
The uproar was substantial enough to necessitate his break, leading RIIZE to continue as a six-member group in his absence. In his announcement on Weverse, the young singer-dancer conveyed that he felt the group had suffered due to the ramifications of the leaked photos and believed it was in everyone’s best interest for him to permanently resign, recognizing the strain on his fellow members.
This choice met with significant opposition, as fans began vocally demanding his reinstatement and threatening to boycott future group activities.
In under 24 hours following his departure, RIIZE experienced a loss of approximately 40,500 followers on X, 78,850 on Instagram, and around 50,000 on TikTok.
The situation escalated when SM Entertainment quickly removed Seunghan’s Weverse profile while designating RIIZE as a six-member act.
Even though there are official statements to the contrary, a faction of the fandom continues to hold out hope for Seunghan’s return, clinging to the dream of reuniting the group as OT7. Fans are actively engaging in online protests to communicate their dissatisfaction.
Leave a Reply