RIIZE's Wonbin Speaks Up For Seunghan Amid 'OT6 BRIIZEs' Protest Plans + Seunghan Announces Withdrawal From The Group

On October 13, RIIZE member Wonbin sent a message to fans through Weverse, asking for fans' support and understanding regarding the recent news of Seunghan's return. As SM Entertainment announced Seunghan's participation in the upcoming activities of the group, the fandom BRIIZE showed mixed reactions to it.




Wizard Production, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, and the production team in charge of RIIZE announced that Seunghan would be participating in group schedules starting in November. Seunghan was embroiled in various controversies last year after private photos and videos from his trainee days were leaked online, which led to his indefinite hiatus. After the announcement of his return to the group, Seunghan posted a heartfelt handwritten letter on Weverse to express his gratitude for being given another chance and apologize for the recent issues he had caused.



The opinions of BRIIZE have been sharply divided. While some fans were celebrating, a portion showed dismay by boycotting official goods and started fundraising for protest trucks and funeral wreaths. Some slogans for the protest trucks were revealed, with phrases like "Did you forget that you almost failed once?" "RIIZE is forever six" and "If you like Hong Seunghan that much, don't put him in RIIZE and put him in your family register". The funeral wreaths were sent to SM Entertainment's headquarters in Seoul and the protest trucks will be placed in several conspicuous places.

In addition to the protest trucks, merch boycotts, and funeral wreaths, an electronic billboard mounted on a truck containing a message from fans who are deeply against Seunghan's return: “Riize has reached milestones as a group of six members. In the hearts of the majority of fans, Riize consists of six members, and there is no place for Hong Seunghan to return."

i sincerely hope seunghan has a good support system in his close circle to safely navigate through all of the situation going on in his home country right now. these psychopathic protests have gotten out of hand and this boy has never done anything wrong to be treated this way.

— riize files (@riizefiles) October 13, 2024

I am K-breeze
I'm a fan of riize seunghan
There is a unilateral withdrawal protest against seunghan at SM headquarters by some k-breeze
This protest is even making personal attacks on seunghan.
I feel very ashamed of it.
Please voice your support for seunghan https://t.co/LJt83Y7BZG

— ㄴI모 (@seungbone) October 12, 2024

‼️ MASS REPORT ‼️

an ot6 account that is raising funds to send airship and protest trucks for ousting 🫧 in japan when riize has a performance schedule there

REPORT > SPAM

🔗 https://t.co/WKQarYYsMV

⚠️ DO NOT INTERACT ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/d7O53qXIm3

— SEUNGHAN PROTECT (@hshprotects) October 12, 2024

Omg we came to kwangya and saw first hand the protest wreaths for that riize guy. Literally all over 😳 pic.twitter.com/D8pVB5T3UM

— Charlie (@charlieworld131) October 12, 2024

Despite the opposition from some fans, Seunghan's return to the group is significant for both RIIZE and OT7 BRIIZEs. Expectations arise for their upcoming activities and their new synergy as a full seven-member group. Meanwhile, RIIZE's agency has yet to comment on the current backlash towards Seunghan.

Source

UPDATE

On Sunday, October 13, Wizard Production — the SM Entertainment subsidiary managing RIIZE — announced that Seunghan will permanently leave the group. Wonbin's Weverse post about Seunghan's return has also been deleted.

안녕하세요, 위저드 프로덕션입니다. pic.twitter.com/cquJ5WyjDT

— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 13, 2024

Hello, this is Wizard Production.

First of all, we sincerely apologize for the pain and confusion caused to the BRIIZEcommunity due to the announcement of Seunghwan's return on the 11th. We regret that we prioritized the production's stance over the growth achieved by the six members of RIIZE, which was made possible through the invaluable support of BRIIZE, and the precious moments shared between RIIZE and BRIIZE.

We believed that if Seunghwan could return after reflecting on his past mistakes, RIIZE could grow as a team once again, bringing greater happiness to both the artists and fans. This decision was made after long contemplation. However, upon reflecting on the opinions and reactions from fans following the announcement, we realized that our decision has instead caused even greater confusion and pain.

At the same time, Seunghwan has expressed his intention to leave the team for the sake of the members and fans. We respect the artist's decision and announce that Seunghwan will be departing from RIIZE, rather than rejoining. We will support him in pursuing his talents and dreams.

Moreover, we sincerely apologize to the six members of RIIZE, who have consistently given their all since their debut, putting in immense effort and thought to bring the group to where it is now, and for the difficulties and confusion they have faced as well. We will continue to support the RIIZE members in their growth in every way possible.

Wizard Production will exercise caution in all future matters and strive to create a lasting time of happiness for both RIIZE se and the BRIIZE community.

Right after the announcement, Seunghan also announced his departure through a handwritten letter on Weverse. He decided to leave the group while thinking of RIIZE and BRIIZE, so that they would "no longer experience confusion and pain" and that"no further harm comes to the members and the company."

Hello. This is Seunghan.

I know that many people are seriously considering my return to work, and I also recognize the seriousness of this situation.

When I thought deeply about whether I had been thinking too much about myself, whether I had caused too much harm to the members and the company, and whether it was really okay for me to be a part of a team called RIIZE that should be loved, all that came to mind was worry and regret.

So I think it's for everyone's good that I'm leaving the team. I don't want to cause any more confusion and hurt to the fans, I don't want to cause any more harm to the members, and I don't want to cause any more harm to the company.

I want to thank the company and members for giving me another chance. I am so lacking, but I apologize and thank you to those who have supported me so far.

I really don't want the relationship between RIIZE and BRIIZE, who have been supporting each other and growing together, to get worse because of me. It breaks my heart that the fans who love RIIZE are fighting each other because of me.

I sincerely hope that RIIZE, whom I love, will be loved even more in the future and I will support them with all my heart.

While it is only a portion of OT6 fans who were very much against Seunghan's return, there are a lot more OT7 BRIIZEs who were celebrating and are now saddened by the news of his decision to leave the group. Many fans expressed their opinions and several hashtags have been trending on the social media platform X. #SMSupportsBullying #RIIZEIS7FOREVER

seunghan, you've always been loved by everyone. from your predebut days to your debut, and even through your hiatus, i’ve supported you unwaveringly. i believe that this the best way and will lead you toward an even brighter future. til we meet again in a better situation ♡ pic.twitter.com/osn0KU5KGy

— Asha. (@uaerichan) October 13, 2024

this situation is honestly so ridiculous like bffr. forcing a teen into hiatus, and to ultimately leave the group, for having a girlfriend pre-debut is INSANITY #SMSupportsBullying

— nia | riize is 7! (@blinglikebobby) October 13, 2024

we only got seunghan back two days and now he decided to leave the riize for the sake of knetz peace of mind, and also for his team’s image. i have never seen this amount of hate on idol for having a good life during his Pre-Debut. This is so sick if u ask me pic.twitter.com/ZSFgWbgvhD

— 한유진 ˃̵ᴗ˂̵ (@yujjinniez) October 13, 2024