K-pop Star Seunghan Faces Backlash and Departure from RIIZE Amid Controversy Over Leaked Photos

K-pop star Seunghan has been at the center of controversy after leaked photos of him kissing a woman, taken during his trainee days, led to his suspension from the boy band RIIZE. Fans, who expect their idols to stay single and maintain clean images, were outraged. Even after nearly a year, many were not ready to forgive him when SM Entertainment, the company behind RIIZE, tried to bring him back earlier this month.

In protest, some fans sent white funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters, a symbolic gesture typically reserved for the deceased, and launched online campaigns. Within two days of his return, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would be leaving the group again. In a heartfelt letter posted on social media, the 21-year-old said he didn’t want to cause more harm to the fans, his bandmates, or the company.

While some fans celebrated his departure, a different group of international supporters quickly rallied behind Seunghan, condemning what they saw as bullying tactics. They rented trucks to display messages of support outside the SM Entertainment building and launched social media campaigns with hashtags like #JusticeForSeunghan. A petition calling for his return has gathered nearly 300,000 signatures.

Seunghan’s troubles started before RIIZE’s debut in September 2023, when the kissing photos first surfaced, irritating fans. Further leaks, including a video allegedly showing him smoking as a minor and criticizing other artists, worsened the backlash. In response, SM Entertainment placed him on hiatus in November, denying the accuracy of some of the leaked content.

Industry experts note that K-pop idols are often held to impossible standards, especially when starting their careers. While Korean and Chinese fans, who heavily invest in the idol-fan relationship, expect flawless behavior, international fans argue for more personal freedom, reminding everyone that idols are human too. Despite growing global attention, experts say cultural expectations tied to the K-pop industry are unlikely to shift anytime soon.

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