SM Entertainment recently announced the return of Seunghan to the K-pop group RIIZE after a 10-month hiatus due to a personal controversy. Seunghan's break began in November 2023 following a scandal involving leaked private photos of him and an alleged ex-girlfriend, sparking an outcry from fans. While some welcome his return, many are strongly opposed, leading to a significant division within the group's fanbase, known as BRIZE.
On October 11, 2024, SM Entertainment revealed that Seunghan would gradually rejoin the group's schedule starting in November. In a statement, Wizard Production, the team behind RIIZE, said, "We believe that the next chapter of RIIZE will be most meaningful with all seven members together," urging fans to trust their decision. Despite the hopeful tone, the announcement failed to provide concrete reasons for Seunghan’s return, further frustrating a portion of the fandom.
Opponents of Seunghan's return took action, sending large funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters as a form of protest. Many fans believe that Seunghan, who was absent for most of RIIZE’s rise in popularity, has not contributed enough to share in the group’s success. They argue that RIIZE has grown and achieved milestones without him, with his brief initial participation followed by months of inactivity.
Post from Twitter Upset fans sent dozens of funeral wreaths to the SM Entertainment building demanding Seunghan's exit from the group
스엠 사옥 앞에 사람 이케 많은 거 첨 보ㅏ ㄷㄷ
— 영원 ⋆⋆ (@302loverockstar) October 11, 2024
저 6인지지합니다ㅜ pic.twitter.com/ORTAtSuEUP
Critics also highlight concerns over the group’s image. RIIZE, known for their youthful and positive "coming-of-age" concept, may suffer from Seunghan’s return. Some fans fear his involvement could damage the group's brand and image, especially considering the sensitivity of his previous scandal. In official statements shared online, some BRIZE members voiced that Seunghan's personal actions are not in line with the group’s wholesome identity, calling for his permanent removal from RIIZE.
oh baby i wanted seunghan BACK https://t.co/hoxKuDrfm1 pic.twitter.com/7hBMrDl3Rb
— AARON (@lidolmix) October 11, 2024
On the other hand, supporters of Seunghan’s return argue that the scandal was not severe enough to warrant his exclusion. They believe that his mistakes, while disappointing, do not justify a permanent exit from the group. These fans have expressed their hope for a fresh start, seeing the potential for Seunghan’s redemption and future contribution to the team.
However, the divide is noticeable. With fans clashing over their support for the seven-member lineup versus maintaining the six-member configuration, this discord threatens RIIZE's future success. In an industry where fan unity often drives album sales, streaming success, and awards, the ongoing split could potentially harm the group’s trajectory.
As Seunghan’s return looms closer, SM Entertainment and RIIZE now face the challenge of navigating these internal conflicts, and only time will tell how the group and its fandom will evolve in the face of this controversy.
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