“They never planned to bring him back”- Fans outrage as SM releases RIIZE OT6 2025 Season’s Greetings soon after Seunghan’s departure from the group

On Wednesday, October 16, SM Entertainment released RIIZE OT6 2025 Season’s Greetings just days after Seunghan left the K-pop boy group. Seunghan officially departed from RIIZE on October 13, following his long absence from the group. The Season’s Greetings, dubbed as RIIZE Boarding School of Wizardry, featured six members of the group, excluding Seunghan.

For those uninitiated, SM Entertainment announced on October 11 that Seunghan would return to the boy group after being absent since November 2023. Seunghan went on a hiatus after RIIZE fans reacted negatively to the singer's leaked photos with his ex-girlfriend and videos of him smoking cigarettes.

However, two days after SM's statement, Seunghan was permanently ousted from the group. Following his dismissal, SM swiftly shared the group's 2025 Season's Greetings posters on their social media platforms.

This move by the management company disappointed Seunghan's fans, who believe the announcement of the singer's return to the group was a disguise. Fans were angry at SM Entertainment and therefore stormed the internet with their remarks. One user on X expressed this sentiment.:

“OH WOW??? this was all a f*cked up premeditated plan…they never planned to bring him back in the first place”

One X user stated (Image via X/@illicitseoks)

Several other responses were recorded on the internet. Many said that the label never intended to bring Seunghan back to RIIZE.

“oh it was def a set up bc why isn’t seunghan included in the group photo if they planned on bringing him back originally….. dpmo”- commented another fan.

“no way you had a pre planned seasons greeting for ot6. you’re insane was this whole bringing seunghan back thing a set up?? you just ruined a kid’s life. do you have any shame??”- criticized another fan.

“they never planned to have him back apparently.. SM I have no words DONT BUY THIS!!!”- remarked a fan.

Other supporters said that they wouldn’t buy the Season’s Greetings. Another fan called it was a 'DISRESPECT’ to Seunghan.

“AND I WONT BUY ANY UNTIL YOU BRING SEUNGHAN BACK. SORRY BOYS.”- wrote another user on X.

“when i tell you they planned this way ahead they knew what they were doing that never planned to keep him that shit is a SET UP”- an admirer commented.

“they never acknowledged the fact that seunghan has to be there because he is one of them. THE DISRESPECT?!?! this industry is really disgusting”- another X user stated.

“They already prepare for 6 members only, so it’s proven their move to bring seunghan back and then kick him out “cuz fans dont want him anymore” just a set up … wow SM what the”- another fan commented.

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Super Junior’s Leetuek retweeted a post in support of Seunghan after his removal from RIIZE

On October 13, Seunghan was officially dismissed from the K-pop group RIIZE, prompting Super Junior's Leeteuk to voice his support for him. The Super Junior member shared a post by X user @itsxelf_ expressing support for Seunghan. The reposted tweet stated:

“What happened to RIIZE’s Seunghan and the group as a whole is heartbreaking. And it’s extremely unfortunate how SM and even artists in general always prioritize Korean fans' wishes, which is actually just a reminder that nothing changes."

Furthermore, on October 15, fans observed that former RIIZE member Seunghan had been deleted from the K-pop boy band's official website, SM Entertainment. The web page, which comprises the members' names, photographs, and other streaming information on the group's tracks, recently underwent a change.

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