RIIZE rightfully has been acknowledged as a possible next-generation chief in Ok-pop‘s ongoing worldwide crossover, largely because of its refreshing embrace of approachability. However the way in which its label, Ok-pop big SM Leisure, has dealt with an issue involving one of many group’s unique members has offered a high-stakes window into the continuing rigidity between South Korean artists balancing the calls for of worldwide careers with the nation’s extra conventional, accepted social norms.
When SM launched RIIZE’s lineup in July 2023 by way of 27 informal Instagram images that wouldn’t look misplaced on any influencer’s web page, it set a bar for a way its seven members – Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee and Anton – meant to attach with followers on-line in a relatable approach; as Eunseok defined it throughout RIIZE’s interview in Los Angeles for Billboard’s latest digital cowl story, the group wished to share “a whole lot of footage of our every day life and intimate [moments] on social media.”
However solely six members of RIIZE participated within the cowl. Interviews for the piece occurred nearly precisely six months after SM introduced that Seunghan would “halt actions” with RIIZE following an August 2023 leak of personal, pre-RIIZE images and movies that confirmed him kissing an unidentified girl in a mattress and smoking a cigarette. Although tame by Western requirements, the content material went viral in South Korea, a rustic which has undergone speedy modernization however stays socially conservative — values that reach to the parasocial relationships followers have with South Korean music stars. Some followers condemned Seunghan’s actions – which they deemed inappropriate for a Ok-pop idol – and protested for his elimination even earlier than the extremely anticipated boy band’s debut.
Forward of releasing RIIZE’s critically acclaimed single “Get a Guitar” on the prime of September, Seunghan, then 19, took to the group’s Instagram account on Aug. 30 to “sincerely apologize to the followers who’re supporting RIIZE,” saying that he “prompted harm to our crew by means of private issues…all out of my carelessness.” Including that he hadn’t addressed the scenario sooner out of worry and nervousness, Seunghan mentioned he “mirrored loads” and vowed to “put the crew first” by being extra cautious each on and off the stage.
However throughout the influential Korean web sites and boards devoted to discussing – and, as a rule, tearing down – Ok-pop celebrities, criticisms of Seunghan continued even after “Get a Guitar” and October’s follow-up “Discuss Saxy” started to earn them accolades.
On Nov. 22, 2023, SM Leisure uploaded a discover that Seunghan was “feeling severely apologetic and is reflecting on himself for inflicting disappointment and commotion to not solely the crew and members but additionally to followers because of points concerning his private life which might be leaked and circulated.”
Whereas SM did observe the content material leaks had been maliciously edited — calling it “extreme defamation” and promising authorized motion — the label nonetheless settled on “the indefinite suspension of [Seunghan’s] actions.” In keeping with its assertion on the time, Seunghan additionally “relayed his intention to halt actions”; the label “judged that it’s too troublesome for him to proceed actions by means of this example.” On the identical day, by means of RIIZE’s Weverse account, Seunghan shared in a handwritten letter that he was “deeply reflecting” on his “careless actions from the previous” and apologized to the group’s followers (generally known as BRIIZE), RIIZE members and label workers.
RIIZE’s members didn’t point out Seunghan when talking with Billboard or at their live performance in Los Angeles, and a non-SM consultant made a number of requests that Billboard not point out Seunghan within the interview for the digital cowl story. SM Leisure did reply to questions on Seunghan’s standing with the band, and the corporate has not offered an replace in regards to the authorized actions it’s taking over Seunghan’s behalf. SM’s firm web site nonetheless lists Seunghan as an artist and a member of RIIZE. Upon the publication of Billboard’s digital cowl about RIIZE, widespread English-language web sites masking Korean leisure reported on Seunghan’s point out within the story. Koreaboo famous that it “precisely talked about Seunghan as a present member, one thing some media sources haven’t accomplished since his indefinite hiatus started,” which TheUBJ.com echoed, saying Seunghan is “typically omitted by different media.” The websites trace at how, in South Korea, Ok-pop media protection tends to be closely screened by administration groups, requiring questions earlier than interviews and textual content approval earlier than publication. (Billboard‘s editorial coverage doesn’t permit topics to evaluate questions or train editorial enter.)
Now, as they try to succeed in RIIZE’s burgeoning worldwide fanbase, the varied events concerned within the group — SM Leisure, SM’s new majority shareholder Kakao and RIIZE’s U.S. label companion RCA Information — are going through a special group of followers: these demanding an evidence for Seunghan’s scenario and an replace on his future with RIIZE.
At press time, almost 19,000 had signed a petition titled “Upholding Artists’ Dignity: A Name to SM Leisure” calling for authorized motion concerning the “privateness breach” in addition to an “speedy finish to Seunghan’s ‘indefinite hiatus.’” Throughout RIIZE’s Might 20 fan-concert at L.A.’s Peacock Theater, a small however mighty crew started to chant “RIIZE is seven” and “Seunghan” earlier than the band returned for its encore; related chants erupted throughout RIIZE’s fan-concert days earlier in Mexico Metropolis. In late Might, a behind-the-scenes video from an interview with RIIZE on the Tecate Emblema competition went viral, exhibiting a member of the group’s crew requesting {that a} host modify a query that talked about “six within the group.” Some followers are even calling for a boycott of RIIZE’s music till a clarification.
Throughout its three a long time as a pacesetter in Ok-pop, SM Leisure has acquired loads of expertise negotiating such conditions. At two totally different occasions in his profession, Tremendous Junior’s Kangin was charged with DUIs. He initially took a two-and-a-half-year break from the boy band and went on one other hiatus earlier than finally withdrawing from Tremendous Junior after his second offense; he stays signed to SM right this moment as a solo act and actor.
Extra lately, in 2018, SM launched Lucas as a member of NCT by means of the boy band’s China-based splinter unit WayV; Lucas was additionally part of SM supergroup SuperM. In August 2021, a number of girls claiming to have had relationships with the star alleged he had cheated on them and/or subjected them to alleged “gaslighting.” Lucas shortly stepped out of the general public eye earlier than formally leaving NCT and WayV in 2023 — though he remained signed to SM and made his solo debut with the EP Renegade in April.
On the opposite facet of the spectrum, SM additionally stood by Chen of EXO when “scores of protesters” took to the streets to demand he go away the group after the singer introduced in January 2020 his plans to marry his girlfriend in addition to the fiancée’s being pregnant.
Like Lucas, artists who exit teams and their labels after habits deemed unsavory by Ok-pop requirements do typically efficiently return as soloists, although they not often obtain the identical industrial success as their prior teams. Whereas no official information has been shared but concerning Seunghan’s future, rumors of the 20-year-old attending a Korean “cram college,” presumably in preparation for faculty exams, have surfaced. Whereas some Ok-pop stars pursue each music and their research (all seven members of BTS have college levels), some surprise if this hints at his exit from leisure altogether.
For now — at the same time as Seunghan’s future with RIIZE hangs within the stability and followers protest his minimally-explained absence — RIIZE nonetheless appears to nonetheless be residing as much as its title. The group’s newest single, “Increase Increase Bass,” launched on June 17, has already racked greater than 12 million views for its official music video, and RIIZING – The first Mini Album (launched June 18) has already offered multiple million bodily copies globally, in line with South Korea’s real-time album gross sales web site Hanteo Chart. Make of it what you’ll: on album monitor “Discuss Saxy,” Seunghan’s vocals are nonetheless there.
