Reflections on Seunghan's Departure: A Salty K-pop Fan's Perspective

This article explores the bitter reflections of a K-pop fan after Seunghan's controversial departure from his group, RIIZE, and delves into the broader implications for the industry. If you are a K-pop fan, you likely already know about this situation, but let me provide a brief overview. RIIZE, a seven-member group under SM Entertainment, debuted in September 2023. In November 2023, it was announced that member Seunghan would go on an indefinite hiatus over leaked photos of him dating before his debut. On October 11, 2024, it was announced that Seunghan would resume with RIIZE. However, on October 13, 2024, it was confirmed that Seunghan would permanently leave RIIZE. This article is a heartfelt and opinionated take on these events and their impact.

Why Seunghan Left: A Bitter Sweetheart of a Situation

Corporations like SM Entertainment are often criticized for their treatment of idols, but in this case, the company has been singled out for their handling of Seunghan. Everyone remembers that Seunghan has been training since he was 14. His passion for performing is undeniable, as evidenced by his genuine and heartfelt stage performances. The idea that a 21-year-old would voluntarily leave his group and teammates due to a personal choice is hard to believe, especially when the environment at SM Entertainment was clearly toxic and unsupportive. SM couldn't protect Seunghan from the hate and stigma that his actions before debut brought upon his group and the other members.

The Bigger Picture: A Cautionary Tale

The direct outcome of Seunghan's departures seems to have emboldened K-fans, C-fans, and J-fans who believe they own idols because they buy albums. SM Entertainment, like most major entertainment companies, prioritizes pandering to fansthes rather than the well-being of their idols. By being overly compliant and responsive to fan demands, these companies create a sense of parasocial relationships that can be manipulative and exploitative. Seunghan leaving the group will only further cement this dystopian mindset that fans have.

Shifting the Conversation: A Fan's Perspective

Many fans, myself included, have pointed fingers and attributed Seunghan's actions to his own will. This shift in perspective is not only unfair but also irresponsible. While it is true that no one company is perfect, branding Seunghan with the blame solely does a disservice to the intricate web of support and exploitative relationships in K-pop. Companies like SM Entertainment have a moral obligation to protect their idols, and in this case, they failed.

Boycotting and Petitions: A Fan's Actionable Response

Given the situation, I strongly believe that boycotting is a necessary step for fans who are committed to making a change. While not every SM group should be boycotted, Riize is a good place to start. Boycotting Riize signifies a clear stance against the company's actions and highlights the collective power of fans. If you are a fan, you are 100% in. If you are not a fan, then you don't really have to do anything because you didn't consume Riize content in the first place. The boycott serves as a powerful statement and a practical action that fans can take.

As for the petition, while I signed it, I have a bad feeling about the outcome. I do not believe that the petition will work, and in the rare case that it does, Seunghan coming back would be nice, but I don't want him to be exposed to the same hate and vitriol again. Seeing funeral wreaths for you, witnessing so many people wishing death upon him, as he has had to endure, are enough to break a person. I hope everything works out for the best.

Supporting Seunghan and His Team

Ultimately, no matter what happens, I hope that Seunghan is alright. He is so loved, and I hope that he can see that. While we are all enrage and feel betrayed, please do not forget that Seunghan was the one most affected by all of this. Let us support Seunghan, Shotaro Eunseok Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton!