“Knetizen really don't deserve him” — Internet slams OT6 fans after RIIZE’s Seunghan visits support ads after reported protest wreath sighting

On October 14, 2024, The Korea Times reported that SM Entertainment confirmed Seunghan's departure from RIIZE. After a hiatus of over 10 months since November 2023, the 21-year-old idol was reported to return to RIIZE as per the announcement on October 11. However, due to his 2023 controversy, SM Entertainment removed him from the group.

For the uninitiated, Seunghan was embroiled in several controversies in 2023 when pictures of him allegedly smoking were leaked online. Following this, pictures of him kissing his alleged girlfriend surfaced online, causing a stir. Due to this, SM Entertainment paused his activities and put him on a hiatus.

The news caused RIIZE's fan base to react strongly, with coordinated boycotts and demonstrations demanding Seunghan's permanent expulsion from the group. After over 10 months, the company decided to bring him back to RIIZE, however, the decision was flipped due to some Korean netizens sending wreaths to the agency.

Before the announcement of his removal on October 13, several Korean netizens reportedly sent death wreaths outside SM Entertainment's building, demanding Seunghan's removal from RIIZE. The official website of @AboutMusicYT reported that the 21-year-old idol was seen looking at the wreaths as he walked past them.

Meanwhile, Wizard Production (a subsidiary label of SM Entertainment) apologized to fans and wrote in their statement on RIIZE's X account:

"We sincerely apologize for the distress and confusion caused to BRIIZE (RIIZE's official fandom) by the announcement of Seunghan's return. We had hoped that Seunghan's return would allow him to reflect on his past mistakes and help the group grow. However, after carefully considering the reactions and concerns expressed by fans, we realized that this decision only caused greater confusion and distress."

He was also reported to be seen standing at a subway station and staring at a support ad for him. He looked at his support ad for a long time before walking away, looking devastated.

One fan wrote,

“Knetizen really don't deserve him”

Fans criticized Korean netizens for their thoughtless and ruthless gesture of sending "horrifying funeral wreaths" in response to a 21-year-old idol's return.

"Apparently he saw the white funeral wreaths k-briizes sent and looked crushed.... seen all the wreaths the fans sent to SM." a fan wrote.

"After seeing those horrifying funeral wreaths, seunghan went to the subway station to see his support ad with all the lovely letters fans have sent for him. He looked at it for a long time before leaving. This breaks my heart so badly, he really needed to be cheered up," another fan shared.

"Last time Chen got hated for getting married and having children, now this. All these for that person having a girlfriend??? What is wrong with your kind of people Korea???" another fan stated.

Others said that despite being an adult, Seunghan received severe treatment because he smoked and had a girlfriend. Fans pointed out that Taeil, a former member of NCT who was arrested for s*xually assaulting a woman, was also not treated in this manner by Korean netizens.

"It’s so hard to believe that these people are supposed to be normal citizens of a society like no way you just spent your paycheck to buy funeral wreaths for a kpop idol because they dated and smoked when they were a teen," one fan commented.

"Not a fan of riize but I felt so sorry to him. All the hates he gets? He don’t deserve that, all because of he had a girlfriend. Sending death bouquet just so he could see it? Some fans need to go and touch some grass," another user wrote.

"I feel like crying after seeing this like I don't see the same energy for taeil WHO BTW IS LITERALLY A CRIMINAL??? Seunghan doesn't deserve this, and riize definitely doesn't deserve these freaks as their fans," one other X user said.

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Seunghan pens a heartfelt letter to fans after leaving RIIZE

As reported by The Korean Times, on the day of his departure from the group, the 21-year-old idol wrote a heartfelt letter on his social media account, apologizing for causing harm to his "members" and their reputation. He added that after much consideration, he decided to step away from the group and said:

"I fully understand the seriousness of the situation. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I was being selfish or causing harm to my fellow members and the company. After much consideration, I came to the conclusion that it's best for me to step away from the group."

He continued that he will forever support RIIZE from the "sidelines."

"It pains me to see fans who love RIIZE fighting because of me. I don't want to cause any more confusion or hurt. I want RIIZE to continue receiving love, and I will wholeheartedly support them from the sidelines."

Meanwhile, international fans tried to send support trucks outside SM Entertainment and put up support ads to rally behind Seunghan. Furthermore, other K-pop fandoms such as BTS ARMYs, Seventeen's CARATs, Stray Kids' STAYs, GIDLE's NEVIES, and more united with BRIIZE and trended hashtags for him.

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In other news, RIIZE confirmed their 1st anniversary with a new comeback track, Combo, and a repackaged version of their debut album, RIIZING.