On the afternoon of the 13th, Seunghan announced his departure from the team through a handwritten letter on RIIZ's official Weverse.
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In the letter, Seunghan expressed his awareness of the serious discussions surrounding his potential return, stating, "I know that many people are thinking seriously about my return to activities, and I also recognize the seriousness of this situation."
He went on to explain his internal conflict, sharing his thoughts about whether he had been too focused on himself and whether his presence in a team like RISE was still justifiable. His overwhelming feelings of worry and regret led him to conclude that stepping away from the group would be best for everyone involved.
"I don't want to cause any more confusion and hurt to the fans, the members, or the company," Seunghan wrote, emphasizing his concern for those affected by the situation. He expressed deep gratitude to the company and his fellow members for their support and understanding but ultimately felt that his continued presence might cause harm.
Addressing RISE's loyal fanbase, Breeze, he shared his heartfelt hope for their unity: "It breaks my heart that the fans who love RISE are fighting each other because of me."
Seunghan's message concluded with a sincere wish for RISE to continue thriving and receiving even more love in the future, marking a poignant end to his time with the group. Fans around the world have been moved by his vulnerability, with many sending messages of support and understanding during this difficult time.
Wizard Production—the SM Entertainment division responsible for managing RIIZE—issued a follow-up statement, confirming Seunghan’s permanent departure from the group.
The statement emphasized that the company respects Seunghan’s wishes and will fully support him in his future endeavors. Despite this sudden news, Wizard Production reassured fans that RIIZE will continue to work hard to grow as a team.
Here is a full translation of the official announcement from Wizard Production:
Hello, this is Wizard Production.
First, we sincerely apologize to all the fans of RIIZE and BRIIZE for the confusion and distress caused by the recent announcement on October 11 regarding Seunghan’s return from his hiatus.
During the discussions and deliberations surrounding Seunghan’s situation over the past six months, we hoped to see him rejoin the team and contribute to RIIZE’s growth. However, Seunghan has decided that leaving the group is the best decision for both the fans and the other members.
Our company has taken a great deal of time to consider this matter, and we respect Seunghan's wishes. He has expressed his desire to leave, and we have respected his decision. This choice was made after much consideration and is intended to prevent further misunderstandings and concerns.
We will do everything in our power to help Seunghan pursue his dreams, and we hope fans will continue to support the remaining members as they work to achieve greater success in the future.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for the confusion and pain this news may have caused.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Sincerely,
Kim Jung-guk, General Director of Wizard Production
Lee Sang-min, Deputy General Director
This announcement has left fans with mixed emotions, as many were looking forward to seeing Seunghan return to the stage. Nevertheless, both Wizard Production and Seunghan have assured fans that this decision was made with the group’s long-term growth in mind. Fans of RIIZE, known as BRIIZE, are now rallying behind the group and looking forward to their future activities.안녕하세요, 위저드 프로덕션입니다. pic.twitter.com/cquJ5WyjDT
— RIIZE (@RIIZE_official) October 13, 2024
Stay tuned for more updates on RIIZE’s future activities and Seunghan’s next steps.
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