“SM Supports Bullying” Trends on X Amid RIIZE’s Seunghan Departure Controversy and Fan Protest Backlash

On October 14, 2024, supporters of Seunghan from the K-pop group RIIZE took to social media platforms, especially X (previously known as Twitter), to express their outrage, creating the trending hashtag “#SMSupportsBullying”with over 1.83 million mentions. This surge of activity was triggered by SM Entertainment’s announcement regarding Seunghan’s departure from the group, a decision influenced by the backlash he received from fans in South Korea upon confirming his return from a hiatus.

This incident underscores a clear rift within the fandom, as international supporters castigate SM Entertainment for seemingly prioritizing negative criticisms over backing Seunghan.

Online, fans articulated their grievances, voicing their disapproval of the way the label has managed the situation concerning Seunghan as well as the group in general. One poignant comment from a user on X, @blinglikebobby, stated,

“This situation is honestly so ridiculous like bffr. forcing a teen into hiatus, and to ultimately leave the group, for having a girlfriend pre-debut is INSANITY #SMSupportsBullying.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t support a company that doesn’t prioritize or care about their artists. They acted like he committed a crime,”another fan commented.

“How do you expect RIIZE to achieve global fame when you completely ignore the international fans? Why only cater to the domestic audience??,”a different fan noted.

“Leave it to SM to focus exclusively on kfans and dismiss the health and well-being of their idols while disregarding international supporters,”a user expressed.

“Seunghan truly doesn’t deserve the treatment he’s received from SM and some fans; I refuse to back a group or company that enables toxic behavior,”another user remarked.

After the announcement, the official X account for RIIZE, @RIIZE_official, saw a significant decline in followers, losing more than 14,000 within a single day.

“THEY BULLIED HIM OUT OF RIIZE,”a user commented.

“UNFOLLOW RIIZE. BOYCOTTING HELPS. STAND ON BUSINESS,”another fan suggested.

“BRIIZE, let’s all unfollow their accounts to show that the international fanbase matters too,”an X user added.

A Timeline of Events Leading to Seunghan’s Departure from RIIZE

Seunghan’s hiatus was initiated after pre-debut images and videos surfaced, igniting controversy within South Korea. These leaks allegedly depicted the idol in a compromising situation with a woman, speculated to be his former girlfriend, and reportedly smoking underage.

Domestic fans reacted fervently, with some labeling his actions as inappropriate for an idol and calling for his expulsion from the group. In light of this, SM Entertainment decided to place Seunghan on an indefinite pause for introspection. However, on October 11, 2024, the label stunned fans with the announcement of his return to RIIZE.

This news excited a multitude of fans, particularly those who were enthusiastic about the potential reunion of RIIZE’s full seven-member lineup.

Nonetheless, a faction of the fanbase, often labeled as ‘OT6’ supporters, protested vehemently against his comeback. Many expressed their dissatisfactions both on social media and in real life, with some going so far as to send funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters as a demonstration of their discontent.

This act drew significant backlash, with many from the wider K-pop community condemning it as disrespectful. There were also reports of Seunghan walking past these wreaths, amplifying the emotional gravity of the situation.

Confronted with escalating criticism, SM Entertainment issued an apology on October 14 regarding the previous confusion surrounding Seunghan’s anticipated return and also announced his official exit from RIIZE. The label conveyed that, despite their hopes for Seunghan’s return to help him learn from past mistakes and grow within the group, they ultimately reassessed their decision based on fan feedback.

Seunghan himself voluntarily chose to depart from the group, stating his desire to mitigate further divisions among fans and to protect RIIZE’s reputation. In a heartfelt letter to supporters, he expressed remorse for the turmoil caused and apologized for his actions.

With RIIZE now operating as a six-member ensemble, their future trajectory remains uncertain as they navigate changes in the coming months.

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