RIIZE's Seunghan To Return After Controversial Hiatus, Pens Handwritten Letter To Fans

Seunghan of the K-pop boy group RIIZE will end his indefinite hiatus and will return as a member in November.

According to an official statement released by SM Entertainment on October 11th, Seunghan will be back after deeply repenting his actions.

After careful talks on the future of RIIZE, we have decided that Seunghan will return to the team. He will make preparations to join the team's schedules starting in November and show himself to the public. We ask for your warm support on the things that Seunghan has prepared to show everyone. We ask that you trust our decison so that we can properly show the fans or RIIZE consisting of seven members.
- SM Entertainment

라이즈를 사랑해 주시는 브리즈 여러분께 pic.twitter.com/EMv3O6qYXm

— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 11, 2024

A controversial picture went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter) in August last year where Seunghan is seen kissing a woman in bed. It was uploaded with the caption RIIZE Seunghan took his teenage girlfriend to a motel. Soon after, in November, another Seunghan-related video went viral. This time, Seunghan is smoking and recording himself, and this was done before his debut. Although he had passed the legal smoking age, his behavior was deemed inappropriate for a K-pop trainee in a very conservative country. The controversial picture and video caused an uproar among fans, to the point where they held an LED truck protest in front of SM Entertainment's headquarters.

Following the news of his return to the group, Seunghan revealed his feelings to his fans through a handwritten letter posted on Weverse. He expressed his gratitude for having another chance and apologized again for the controversy.

When the pre-debut photos were released, I felt so disappointed and regretful towards myself. I couldn't even imagine how the members and fans around me must have felt. I think they must have been angry, surprised, and disappointed. I’m sorry to the fans who have supported me since the very beginning, which was such an important time, and to those who were hurt by my reckless actions. I also feel sorry to the members who I had to work hard with, so I decided to suddenly stop my activities. It must have been a really difficult decision, but I’m so grateful and sorry for giving me the opportunity. I know that I have so much to show in order to live up to the expectations of the members who once again took my hand, the fans who were worried that the achievements I had made while I was away would be ruined, and the company that made the difficult decision. I think I have to work even harder to live up to the trust you have placed in me.

Meanwhile, BRIIZE, the group's fans, took to social media to share their sentiments about Seunghan's awaited return.

even if you're not a riize stan, i think seunghan's return means alot to the kpop community because this is a testament that idols SHOULD NOT have to bend to the delusions of crazy fans or the toxicity of fan culture https://t.co/ivUuFRNzOE

— gab ୨ৎ (@sunfloweryves) October 11, 2024

“The members reached out to me once again. I'm really grateful and feel sorry for the opportunity they gave me…To the members who have once again held my hand… I will strive to be a good member… I want to be an essential part of the team RIIZE.”

— Hong Seunghan pic.twitter.com/kfMdTBxvu4

— riize folder (@riizefolder) October 11, 2024

#SEUNGHAN 🌟 wrote a post

“i believe that as much as you have trusted me, I need to work harder. i will strive to be a good member so that i don’t bring any trouble to the achievements the members have built. i want to be an essential part of the team RIIZE” pic.twitter.com/8Wd9MsEWeX

— RIIZE WEVERSE (@riize_weverse) October 11, 2024

We didn’t get the chance to enjoy Seunghan from Riize in 2024, but let’s make sure these last two months of 2024 and 2025 will be the best months and the best year of his life!

PERIOOODDDD!!!!!!!!

SEUNGHAN WELCOME BACK WE MISSED YOU VERY VERY MUCH 🥺🫂🫧🫧🫧#SEUNGHAN pic.twitter.com/FY4oMPbf9m

— SEUNGHAN RETURN 11/2024 (@shinchan0409_) October 11, 2024

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