Seunghan’s departure leaves RIIZE with six remaining members. Photographs: X/@RIIZE_official
Two days after Seunghan’s return to RIIZE was confirmed after a 10-month hiatus, SM Leisure introduced that he would formally depart the group.
SM and the group’s manufacturing division, Wizard Manufacturing, introduced Seunghan’s departure from the septet in a press release on its social media platforms on Sunday evening, October 13.
“We sincerely apologize for hurting BRIIZE (RIIZE’s fandom) and inflicting confusion by means of our announcement of Seunghan’s return on October 11,” its assertion started, through a Soompi translation.
“Out of respect for the artist’s choice, we’re asserting Seunghan’s departure from RIIZE, as an alternative of his becoming a member of the group. We are going to assist Seunghan sooner or later in order that he can showcase his abilities and comply with his goals,” it stated.
안녕하세요, 위저드 프로덕션입니다. pic.twitter.com/cquJ5WyjDT
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 13, 2024
The music label apologized for “prioritizing” Wizard’s place, relatively than specializing in the expansion achieved by RIIZE’s six remaining members and “assist” of their followers. It additionally identified that the preliminary choice of Seunghan’s supposed return was made to carry “higher pleasure” to the concerned events.
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“Nonetheless, the announcement of his return, we ruminated rigorously on each one of many opinions and responses despatched in by followers, and we realized that our choice had really harm followers extra and induced them higher confusion as an alternative,” SM added. “On the identical time, Seunghan has persistently expressed his need to go away the group for the sake of the members and the followers.”
This led to SM apologizing to RIIZE’s remaining members for “creating hardships and confusion” as a result of current occasions involving Seunghan.
“We are going to proceed to do our utmost to assist the RIIZE members in order that they’ll develop even additional sooner or later as nicely. Wizard Manufacturing can be cautious and cautious in all issues sooner or later, and we are going to work laborious in order that RIIZE and BRIIZE will be pleased collectively for a very long time,” it added.
Shortly after SM’s announcement, Seunghan expressed his gratitude to the South Korean music label and RIIZE in a handwritten letter on the fan group platform Weverse.
He additionally admitted that he has been fascinated by whether or not he had “induced an excessive amount of hurt” to RIIZE and the music label, saying he feels “fear and remorse” for his actions.
“I’ve been pondering deeply about whether or not I’ve been pondering an excessive amount of about myself up to now, whether or not I’ve been inflicting an excessive amount of hurt to the members and the corporate, and whether or not it’s actually okay for me to be part of a crew known as RIIZE that must be beloved,” he wrote, through a Okay-Pop Charts translation.
SEUNGHAN shares letter on his departure from RIIZE actions:
— “Hiya. That is Seunghan.
I do know that many individuals are critically contemplating my return to actions, and I additionally acknowledge the seriousness of this case.
I’ve been pondering deeply about whether or not I’ve been… pic.twitter.com/fa8QbVWHJ1
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) October 13, 2024
The Okay-pop idol stated leaving RIIZE is the “greatest choice for everybody” as he didn’t need to “trigger additional problem” to the remaining members and the label.
“I consider stepping away from the crew is one of the best choice for everybody. I don’t need to carry any extra confusion or ache to the followers, nor do I want to trigger additional problem for the opposite members. And I don’t need to trigger any extra harm to the corporate,” stated Seunghan.
“I need to categorical my heartfelt gratitude to the corporate and the members who put in a lot effort to present me one other alternative. I additionally sincerely apologize and thank everybody who has supported me up till now, despite the fact that I’m missing,” he continued.
Seunghan debuted as a member of RIIZE in September 2023. Weeks later, pre-debut pictures of him kissing an alleged girlfriend made rounds on Korean boards, which prompted him to take a hiatus from the group.
His departure leaves behind six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton.