BRIIZEs debated Seunghan's future with RIIZE after a merchandise post trended in an online community.
Here's what happened.
(Photo : Facebook: RIIZE)
RIIZE Seunghan's Future in Group Ignites Debate Among BRIIZEs After SM Drops Plushie Merchandise
Earlier on February 13, SM Entertainment officially announced the details for RIIZE's "VALENTINE'S DAYZE" plushie merchandise.
The post included the store details, which were provided with purchase links. This announcement quickly caught the attention of BRIIZEs, who were overjoyed to receive more content and merch from the boy group.
2024 RIIZE VALENTINE'S DAYZE OFFICIAL MD ONLINE SALES NOTICE
However, on February 14, fans gathered in an online post titled, "It looks like RIIZE has confirmed a withdrawal," The author elaborated specifically on the image showing the six plushies, and referred to the absence of Seunghan's character.
"Seunghan's character is missing," OP shared.
(Photo : pann.nate)
In the comments section, some expressed contempt over the idol and left negative remarks. However, others claimed the poster only contained six figures since Seunghan was technically inactive due to his hiatus. Read their comments below:
"Are there still people who want him to come back?"
"Who's Seunghan? Was there ever a guy like that?"
"He's on a hiatus so it's obvious that he wouldn't be included here."
"Isn't it a fact that he left?"
"They never released a statement saying that he was gonna return and doesn't have a character, but we can't judge just from that."
"RIIZE will be having a comeback in April so we would know soon if he left or not."
Seunghan's indefinite hiatus has been the subject of discussion across online communities. The idol started going under the radar on November 22, 2023, after several of the idol's past couple photos were leaked online.
However, the idol was also accompanied by numerous other controversies, such as his smoking accusations and an issue involving LE SSERAFIM Eunchae and TXT Soobin.
(Photo : Facebook: RIIZE)
The backlash to the idol from the public was so immense, it came to a point when Seunghan was even labeled as the "HYBE killer" for "dragging" artists under the company into unforeseen scandals.
While many netizens were dismissive of Seunghan in RIIZE and were in favor of his withdrawal, most BRIIZEs are still hoping for Seunghan's return to the K-pop industry. In a separate platform, fans also discussed the idol's uncertain future.
Here's what they said:
"But SM don't kick people out or terminate contracts. So what's going to happen to the poor kid? stay with SM for 7-10 years without a job?
"Exactly that will happen, Kibum from SJ is an example. It's so frustrating that SM doesn't let people go that easy."
"Idk what might happen to him but I personally want him to come back."
"SM is very strict with contracts so I doubt they would let him leave even if he wanted to."
