RIIZE's Twitter (X) account sees over 14,000 followers drop after Seunghan's exit from the group

RIIZE’s official account on X, @RIIZE_official, lost over 14,000 followers within 24 hours after SM Entertainment officially announced Seunghan's exit following backlash from a portion of the group’s fanbase.

Before the announcement on October 14, the account boasted more than 809,000 followers, which had fallen to approximately 767,000 at the time of writing. The follower drop is largely attributed to the controversy surrounding Seunghan, who had been on hiatus since August 2023.

The idol's hiatus was triggered by the release of pre-debut photos and videos that sparked significant controversy in South Korea. The leaked content showed Seunghan allegedly kissing a woman, rumored to be his ex-girlfriend, and reportedly smoking while underage.

These alleged photos and videos led to an outcry from fans, with some criticizing his behavior as inappropriate for an idol and calling for his removal from the group. In response, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would take an indefinite break from group activities to reflect on his actions.

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The complete timeline of events leading to RIIZE’s Seunghan officially leaving the group

After the announcement of his hiatus, Seunghan's future with RIIZE remained uncertain for months, with no updates from the agency. However, on October 11, 2024, SM Entertainment surprised fans by announcing the idol’s return to the group.

Fans who had eagerly awaited his comeback were thrilled by the news, and many celebrated on social media, using the hashtag "#RIIZEis7" to welcome the idol back and express excitement about the original seven-member lineup being restored.

However, the decision was met with strong opposition from a segment of the fandom, often referred to as ‘OT6’ fans, who believed that the idol's actions had caused irreparable damage to the group’s reputation.

They voiced their displeasure online and in person, with some even sending funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s building—a protest that drew mixed reactions from the broader K-pop community. Many viewed the gesture as extreme and disrespectful.

In the face of mounting criticism, SM Entertainment issued an apology on October 14 for the confusion caused by Seunghan’s planned return and announced his departure from RIIZE. The statement expressed the label's hope that his return would allow him to reflect on his mistakes and grow alongside the group. But ultimately, the backlash led them to reconsider.

The idol voluntarily offered to leave the group, citing his desire to prevent further division among fans and protect the group’s image. In a heartfelt letter on social media, he apologized for the controversy surrounding his return and expressed regret for his past actions.

He explained that he had spent much time reflecting on whether his return would harm the group and its members and ultimately decided that stepping away was the best course of action.

He further acknowledged that seeing fans divided over his presence in the group was painful, and he emphasized that he didn’t want to cause any more confusion or distress for RIIZE’s loyal fanbase.

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While many fans mourn the idol's departure, others see it as a necessary step for the group to move forward. RIIZE, now a six-member group, will continue to evolve in the coming months.