Riize member Wonbin has addressed the return of suspended member Seunghan, calling for fans’ support and understanding during this sensitive period. On Sunday, Wonbin posted a message on the fan community platform Weverse, clarifying the group’s position.
“To prevent further confusion for Briize (our fandom), I have decided to share my thoughts on Seunghan’s return. We have had many discussions over a long period with Seunghan and the company, and we hope fans understand that the members have deeply contemplated this situation,” Wonbin stated, asking for fans' continued support. He further emphasized, “There is no Riize without Briize.”
Seunghan’s suspension, which began roughly 10 months ago due to personal controversies, is coming to an end. Wizard Production, the SM Entertainment team responsible for Riize, announced on Friday that Seunghan would gradually resume team activities starting in November. In a handwritten letter posted on Weverse, Seunghan expressed gratitude, saying, “I questioned whether I could ever return to the stage after disappointing so many people. During that time, the members reached out to me, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity.”
However, not all fans are welcoming his return. Some have sent funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul, with messages such as “Remove Hong Seunghan” and “Riize is Forever Six,” signaling their opposition. On Sunday, a group of fans escalated the protest by organizing a truck demonstration, with a billboard reading, “Riize has reached milestones as a group of six, and in the hearts of most fans, there is no place for Seunghan to return.”
Riize, SM Entertainment’s first boy group in three years, debuted to significant success. Their debut single "Get A Guitar," released in September last year, sold over a million copies, cementing the group’s popularity. But Seunghan’s personal controversies, which began with leaked photos of him kissing a woman in bed last August, sparked public backlash. When more images of him smoking underage surfaced in November, SM indefinitely suspended his activities.
The announcement of Seunghan’s gradual return has sparked a divided reaction among the fandom, reflecting broader tensions between idol group members' private lives and public expectations. While some fans remain supportive, others continue to express their disapproval, making the future of Riize’s dynamics uncertain.
As the group navigates this complex situation, it remains to be seen how Seunghan’s return will impact both the group’s internal relationships and their external reception. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Riize can move forward united or face further challenges as they balance individual mistakes and collective success.
Sayart / Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com
Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Riize member Wonbin has addressed the return of suspended member Seunghan, calling for fans’ support and understanding during this sensitive period. On Sunday, Wonbin posted a message on the fan community platform Weverse, clarifying the group’s position.
“To prevent further confusion for Briize (our fandom), I have decided to share my thoughts on Seunghan’s return. We have had many discussions over a long period with Seunghan and the company, and we hope fans understand that the members have deeply contemplated this situation,” Wonbin stated, asking for fans' continued support. He further emphasized, “There is no Riize without Briize.”
Seunghan’s suspension, which began roughly 10 months ago due to personal controversies, is coming to an end. Wizard Production, the SM Entertainment team responsible for Riize, announced on Friday that Seunghan would gradually resume team activities starting in November. In a handwritten letter posted on Weverse, Seunghan expressed gratitude, saying, “I questioned whether I could ever return to the stage after disappointing so many people. During that time, the members reached out to me, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity.”
However, not all fans are welcoming his return. Some have sent funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul, with messages such as “Remove Hong Seunghan” and “Riize is Forever Six,” signaling their opposition. On Sunday, a group of fans escalated the protest by organizing a truck demonstration, with a billboard reading, “Riize has reached milestones as a group of six, and in the hearts of most fans, there is no place for Seunghan to return.”
Riize, SM Entertainment’s first boy group in three years, debuted to significant success. Their debut single "Get A Guitar," released in September last year, sold over a million copies, cementing the group’s popularity. But Seunghan’s personal controversies, which began with leaked photos of him kissing a woman in bed last August, sparked public backlash. When more images of him smoking underage surfaced in November, SM indefinitely suspended his activities.
The announcement of Seunghan’s gradual return has sparked a divided reaction among the fandom, reflecting broader tensions between idol group members' private lives and public expectations. While some fans remain supportive, others continue to express their disapproval, making the future of Riize’s dynamics uncertain.
As the group navigates this complex situation, it remains to be seen how Seunghan’s return will impact both the group’s internal relationships and their external reception. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Riize can move forward united or face further challenges as they balance individual mistakes and collective success.
