The decision would have been made by the RIIZE member himself, according to information from SM Entertainment
Surprising fans, on the night of last Tuesday, the 21st, SM Entertainment issued a statement announcing that Seunghanmember of the RIIZEwill go on an indefinite hiatus due to the recent controversies involving the idol.
According to the note, the decision would have been made by the artist himself, taking into account the good of the group. Check out the full translation:
“Hello, this is SM Entertainment. This is a warning about RIIZE member Seunghan.
Seunghan is severely apologizing and reflecting on himself for causing disappointment and commotion not only to the team and members but also to fans due to issues related to his personal life that have been leaking and circulating recently through social media and online communities.
Seunghan feels mental pressure and responsibility regarding this, so after deep reflection, he conveyed his intention to stop the team’s activities.
We also believe that it is very difficult for him to continue his activities in this situation, and respecting his opinion that he no longer wants to cause harm to the team and members, we decided to suspend his activities for an indefinite period of time.
Therefore, RIIZE will promote with six members, excluding Seunghan, starting today (November 22).
It is an abrupt situation, but we ask for the fans’ generous understanding as it is a matter that was decided through careful discussion with the artist himself, and we are feeling great responsibility for having been inattentive with the artist’s management even though it was before his debut. . Once again we deeply apologize to the fans.
However, the videos and photos that are leaked and circulated were taken in his personal time during his internship, days before his debut, and have been reproduced multiple times to cause misunderstandings through deliberate minor editing such as taking screenshots of a video of which the source can be specified.
Furthermore, the individuals who are leaking and disseminating these videos and photos are even using malicious means to create unfounded false information and conversations on messengers that do not exist, continuing acts of serious defamation against the artist by spreading fabricated and distorted information that is different from the the truth.
We began monitoring immediately after recognizing the above situation and specified who was behind the unauthorized leaks and circulation after collecting a significant amount of evidence. We plan to file a legal complaint this afternoon at the local police station.
Furthermore, we are considering additional legal action against the specified individual, not only for defaming the artist through unauthorized leaks and circulation, but also for various illegal acts such as cybercrimes and threats.
For the sake of the artist and the team, as well as the fans who love the team, the agency will not only file legal complaints, but also respond strongly, without any settlement or leniency, to all forms of secondary damages, such as generating as well as circulate and replay additional posts about reckless rumors about the artist.
We will continue to do our best to protect our agency’s artists.
Thanks”.
The controversy in question is related to videos where Seunghanappears smoking that circulated on the internet, as well as rumors about an ex-girlfriend that the artist had a relationship with when he was still a trainee.
Moments after the news broke, Seunghan shared a handwritten letter, where he asked for forgiveness from the company’s fans, members, and staff for his actions, stating that he will reflect on becoming a better person. See the translation:
“Hello, this is Seunghan.
First of all, I would like to say that I am sorry.
I know very well that my careless actions in the past are now hurting many people. I’m honestly reflecting on myself.
I want to apologize to the fans who supported me and the members of RIIZE.
I am reflecting deeply on myself and the fact that I have caused so much damage at a time when I should be working harder than ever and focusing on what I need to do. I will continue to reflect and look deeper into myself so I can become a better person.
Once again, I apologize to the members, fans and team.”
Source: Recreio
