K-pop fan culture has become more disillusioned nowadays, mostly caused by backward ideals and fans’ claiming their favorite idols as their property.
Delusional fan behavior has caused much distress for both artists and fans, with part of the latter believing that they are doing this to “protect” the artists, when they are doing the exact opposite.
There have been numerous instances in the past where K-pop idols and agencies have bent their knees to the fans’ demands, but none has ever caused much commotion like the situation currently involving RIIZE, SM Entertainment, and Hong Seunghan.
On October 11, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Hong Seunghan would be “gradually” returning as an active member of its boy group RIIZE starting November.
라이즈를 사랑해 주시는 브리즈 여러분께 pic.twitter.com/EMv3O6qYXm
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 11, 2024
Reactions to the news varied immensely—while fans cheered and celebrated the eventual comeback of Seunghan, some “fans” were not happy. Some Korean BRIIZEs protested against Seunghan’s return to the group by sending a large number of funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters.
This way of protesting has become “an increasingly common but concerning move from K-pop fans looking to make a bold statement,” according to Billboard’s Jeff Benjamin.
Not even 48 hours later, on October 13, 2024, Wizard Production, the production center under SM Entertainment that manages RIIZE, retracted this news and instead announced that Seunghan will be leaving the boy group. Wizard Production asserted that Seunghan decided to leave
안녕하세요, 위저드 프로덕션입니다. pic.twitter.com/cquJ5WyjDT
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 13, 2024
In light of this, Seunghan penned a handwritten letter addressed to RIIZE fans, BRIIZE, and posted it on WeVerse.
Seunghan wrote that he was aware of the seriousness of the situation surrounding his return to RIIZE and what that may entail for his members and the company. He believed that his leaving the group is the best because he no longer wanted to cause more hurt or confusion for the fans, nor did he want to harm the members and his company any further.
He also said that he did not want to damage the growing relationship between RIIZE and BRIIZE, and that it would only break his heart to see fans fighting with one another just because of him.
Seunghan ended the letter saying that he will continue to love and support RIIZE and that he hopes that they’ll receive more love in the future.
The news of Seunghan’s departure from RIIZE received immense backlash from the international fanbase, with BRIIZEs trending the hashtags “SMSupportsBullying,” “JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN,” “UnfairExit_Seunghan,” “SeunghanDeservesBetter,” and more.
In contrast, “fans” of RIIZE who wanted Seunghan to be removed from the group after his “controversy” cheered and celebrated his exit from the group.
Since the news of Seunghan’s permanent removal from RIIZE, RIIZE’s international fanbase has been relentlessly advocating for his return to the group, citing SM Entertainment’s incompetence in dealing with threats to their artists and denouncing the agency’s decision being driven by the emotions of their local fans.
The protests against Seunghan’s removal have gone from being solely in the K-pop fan community, where different K-pop fandoms pledged their support for Seunghan, to being talked about by international fandoms as well.
Fandoms such as Beliebers, Arianators, Swifties, Directioners, and more have posted their support for BRIIZE and RIIZE on their fanpages.
We got Beliebers, Swifties, Directioners & Swifties too! There must be others but I found these, my 2 worlds are colliding🥹#라이즈는_북두칠성#UnfairExit_Seunghan#riizeitsokaytospeakup #SMSupportsbullying #JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN #RIIZE_IS_SEVEN https://t.co/LPPux5nQYq pic.twitter.com/R6aaBYZqMy
— K-Pop is my safe haven (@kpop_holic_0312) October 15, 2024
K-pop stores all across the globe have also posted that they will be boycotting RIIZE albums and merchandise. Their message stands: “We stand with the artist and believe in a respectful and supportive environment; we do not support or tolerate any bullying or toxic behavior.”
Around 202 shops are boycotting @RIIZE_official and that's on 44 countries.
USA : subkshop, kpop exchange, kpoppin usa, kloud, kpop nation, kpop store, kork, kpopnmore, teeheeboston, VTCARROLITON, PINKBOX, aidol house,udesserteats, fuyu, hallyuhamke, cheers kpop,…
— RIIZE PROTECT (@PROTECT_RIIZE) October 17, 2024
The backlash regarding the situation has also reached the attention of some artists as well. Leeteuk of Super Junior was seen reposting a post that was in support of Seunghan on social media.
LEETEUK I SAW THAT pic.twitter.com/KUb56CWSZP
— 🌙 lorena (@yehyukloml) October 15, 2024
leeteuk retweeted…… this speaks volume lmao pic.twitter.com/D45l8PEJmU
— khadijah ᡣ𐭩 (@terpalingkun) October 15, 2024
Another instance of an artist speaking out on the issue was eaJ, who called the act of sending funeral wreaths “disgusting.” He also said that anyone that sent funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment headquarters should be tried for “attempted murder.”
The funeral flowers were disgusting. The same people who sent them will be the first ones online mourning the tragic outcome they fought for. God forbid tragedy occurs but I’ve been on that side before and It was close. I can’t imagine the trauma it would cause someone that young https://t.co/f5PQTTgjnI
— eaJ (@eaJPark) October 16, 2024
Anyone involved in the flowers should be tried for attempted murder because that is what that was.
— eaJ (@eaJPark) October 16, 2024
RIIZE themselves were seen to be silently protesting the removal of their member and the reaction of their “OT6” fans by leaving a space for Seunghan in their most recent performance. RIIZE’s Anton also changed their WeVerse bio to “🌄☝️” which meant “rise up” or “cheer up”.
A few hours before Seunghan’s departure from the group was announced, Wonbin penned a letter explaining that the decision to Seunghan’s comeback to the group was something they talked among themselves.
How riize members showed their support so far:
Wonbin – wrote a letter
Eunseok – left empty space for seunghan even though he could have moved to fix the ot6 formation
Anton – bio change to 🌅☝️ meaning rise up / cheer up#NoSevenNoRiize#SeunghanDeservesBetter pic.twitter.com/A7xhtkoh5e— zoei 🌅☝️ ᵇᵉᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ (@oreohairtaesan) October 17, 2024
Fans in South Korea also held a protest in front of SM Entertainment in support of Seunghan, where there were numerous protest trucks that also clamored for fair treatment for both Seunghan and RIIZE.
📍CURRENTLY IN FRONT OF SM
PHOTO FROM OUR PROTESTORS ! WE'RE THIRD IN LINE!
🇵🇭 FILIPINO BRIIZE REPRESENTS !
THANK YOU EVERYONE 🧡#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN#UnfairExit_Seunghan#SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/o9JIt9UyTh
— lex 🫧 (@wonbinseok) October 18, 2024
our amazing hong sisters protesting in heavy rain. the love for seunghan is so wonderful to see 💕 pic.twitter.com/RVuurmpFCD
— star ⭐️ (REST) (@starboywonbin) October 18, 2024
‘we love you seunghan’ banner infront of SM 🥹 Hopefully Seunghan will see it#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN #UnfairExit_Seunghan #SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/cgiBIaUsbc
— mochi 🫧🐥 (@flwrtrzb) October 18, 2024
hong seunghan, you are so LOVED!
the love you gave to other people is finding its way back to you right now 🥹 i hope you’re seeing all this. #JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN#UnfairExit_Seunghan#SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/onkcw62JJ4— ً (@kswyhee) October 18, 2024
https://twitterx.com/woohanily/status/1847201686575866174
OT6 fans chose to hide behind funeral wreaths but our noonas chose to be brave and fight face to face 💗💗💗#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN#UnfairExit_Seunghan#SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/O2WXmJ8C2q
— 사랑하니🫧 (@onlyUseunghan) October 18, 2024
“you are not alone, seunghan.” 🥹🩵#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN#UnfairExit_Seunghan #SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/AEKA5vsxZo
— ໊ (@hongsaxy) October 18, 2024
The windows are open! They’re listening! It’s so rainy and so cold; my clothes are soaked and there’s water in my waterproof shoes. But knowing that they’re listening to what we have to say gives me hope.#JUSTICE_FOR_SEUNGHAN#UnfairExit_Seunghan#SMSupportsBullying #SM_쓰레기 pic.twitter.com/pE6lSNwDSu
— 🙂 (@undrground_idol) October 18, 2024
The issue here isn’t about just Seunghan anymore—it’s all about the unfair treatment and hate that artists receive simply because they are living their lives.
Note that the reason that Seunghan only went on hiatus was because he was discovered to have smoked when he was younger and that he was in a relationship before debuting as an idol. Which by the way, is what a normal teenager does.
There was nothing wrong with what Seunghan did, nor does his inclusion in the group mean anything negative. RIIZE will always be 7 to us.
Let this be a reminder that your idols are human too, and that no matter how much money you’re spending on their albums, merch, or whatever, they will never be obligated to fulfill your distorted fantasies.
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