Seunghan's status in RIIZE was pondered and discussed by netizens after a logo in one of the group's posts was questionably changed.

Here's what happened.

Will Seunghan Ever Return to RIIZE? Group's OT7 Logo Change Creates Discourse Among BRIIZEs, K-Netz

Earlier on November 22, 2023, Seunghan took a break from group activities and went on hiatus due to numerous controversies.

The last quarter of 2023 was a tough one for Seunghan and BRIIZEs, as the idol became entangled with several issues regarding his past relationship, alleged photos of smoking, and even went to the point he became dubbed as the "HYBE killer" for "dragging" the company's artists.

While his hiatus remains effective, the real status of Seunghan has yet to be revealed, as many fans and netizens could only speculate about his return to the group. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed a hiccup in one of RIIZE's posts, stirring the K-pop community.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 'HYBE Killer': RIIZE Seunghan Mentioned for 'Dragging' Company's Artists in Controversies

On January 8, an online community discussed SM Entertainment's post on RIIZE's X (Twitter) account, which announced the locations, guides, and schedules for the group's pop-up stores in Seoul and Tokyo.

Many looked forward to the stores, but for the majority of BRIIZEs, they mostly noticed RIIZE's "7" billiard ball logo displayed without the number seven in it.

Netizens claimed that the sudden changeup was due to Seunghan's absence and that RIIZE was currently operating as a six-membered group. "They made this billiard ball logo into stickers and griptok." OP shared. "Originally, there was a 7 on the ball, but they changed it and removed it for the pop-up store." K-netz commented that the billiard ball logo looked better now due to the font inconsistencies of "RIIZE" and number "7." Some anticipated the reactions of BRIIZEs, while others speculated that this subtle change translated to Seunghan's "departure" from RIIZE. Read their comments below:

•  "It does look better now."
•  "I wonder what kind of delusions his fans will come up with this time."
•  "I have three of those griptoks with the 7 on it. If I knew they'd release new ones, I wouldn't have bought the previous version."
•  "For a griptok, it's better to remove the 7."
•  "So isn't it safe to assume he really withdrew?"
•  "This is pretty much confirmed that he got kicked out."

Meanwhile, international BRIIZEs drew their frustration towards SM Entertainment and criticized the agency's move to erase Seunghan's traces in the group. On X (Twitter), fans also expressed the same sentiments regarding the missing "7" in RIIZE's billiard ball logo. Here's how they reacted:

•  "The way SM is just erasing his entire existence from RIIZE instead of officially putting out a notice of him being removed from the group is so sinister, actually."
•  "They always do that. The way they removed WinWin from NCT127 is ridiculous. He suddenly stopped appearing and they all just pretended like he never existed."

UGLY ASS BILLIARD BALLS, PUT BACK THE NUMBER 7 ON IT!!!!!

— rena (@psokodomo) January 8, 2024

Riize is 7777777 pic.twitter.com/Nnc4KtgONs

— Seunghan my baby (@Mimiyu10) January 8, 2024

Do you have to go that far? What's the point of removing the "7"? Why don't you just make another new design? Please stop this insensitivity! @RIIZE_official

— Enn☆えんん (@sunflowerdo0) January 8, 2024

You could have just not used the pic at all, if needed to edit the 7 out 😕 why rub it into our faces and make us really sad and frustrated. The fans don’t deserve this.

— Ru Mi (@geya_xoxo) January 8, 2024

@SMTOWNGLOBAL YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO HERE?!

RIIZE IS 7 #SeunghanOur119Love#승한아_금방만나러와#승한이가있어서특별한매일#홍승한의활동중단을중단하라 #SEUNGHAN #승한 #RIIZE@RIIZE_official @SMTOWNGLOBAL

— 홍짱구🫧 (@rii7eisseven) January 8, 2024

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Seunghan's Absence Improved RIIZE? Group's Atmosphere Gains Attention After Idol's Hiatus

KpopStarz owns this article
Written by Riely Miller