RIIZE’s Seunghan to take indefinite hiatus due to controversies

RIIZE, the K-Pop boy group that debuted on September 4, faces challenges as member Seunghan has been embroiled in personal controversies since the group's announcement. In response, the agency has made the difficult decision to place him on an indefinite hiatus, citing the negative repercussions these controversies have had on the group's debut and public perception.

Seunghan's indefinite hiatus

• On November 22, SM Entertainment, RIIZE's agency, released an official statement announcing Seunghan's indefinite hiatus due to surrounding controversies.

• The statement clarified that Seunghan voluntarily opted for a hiatus for the well-being of the team after extensive discussions.

• Effective November 22, RIIZE will operate as a six-member group, excluding Seunghan.

The agency extended apologies to fans and assured that they will investigate the matter to safeguard Seunghan's status as an artist.

Controversies involving Seunghan

• Seunghan was involved in a dating controversy with leaked private photos taken during his trainee period before debut on August 27.

• These images were manipulated and disseminated multiple times, leading to misunderstandings and intentional defamation against the artists.

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• More recently, a leaked livestream footage on November 16 showed Seunghan seemingly mocking TXT's Soobin and mentioning a meeting with Eunchae from the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM.
• The situation escalated when Seunghan referred to Eunchae as "Our" Eunchae, a term usually reserved for family members in Korean culture.

Legal action and response

• SM Entertainment promptly took action, gathering evidence and identifying those responsible for the unauthorized leaks and distributions.

• They announced plans to file a complaint with local authorities against the individual for various illegal activities, including cybercrime, threats, and defamation through unauthorised distribution.

Seunghan's apology

Following the hiatus announcement, Seunghan penned a handwritten apology to fans, fellow members, and the agency.

RIIZE's fanbase responded with a mix of concern, disappointment, and support on social media platforms. SM Entertainment is resolute in taking decisive action against any harmful acts and ensuring the protection of their artists.

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