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Seunghan

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In this Korean name, the family name is Hong.
Seunghan
Seunghan smiling, looking to his right.
Seunghan in 2023
Born
Hong Seung-han

(2003-10-02) October 2, 2003 (age 21)
Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
EducationSchool of Performing Arts Seoul
Occupation
  • Singer
Years active2022 (2022)–present
Musical career
Genres
  • K-pop
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
홍승한
Revised RomanizationHong Seunghan
McCune–ReischauerHong Sŭnghan
Signature[a]
Seunghan's signature, a stylized version of his initials ("HSH") in Hangul, resembling a facial expression.
Notes
^ a: Seunghan's signature depicts his initials in Hangul (ㅎㅅㅎ).[1]

Hong Seung-han (Korean: 홍승한; born October 2, 2003), known mononymously as Seunghan, is a South Korean singer. He is a former member of South Korean boy band Riize, debuting under SM Entertainment in 2023. He will debut as a soloist in the second half of 2025.

First introduced in July 2022 as a member of SM Entertainment's idol training team SM Rookies, Seunghan debuted in September 2023 as a member of Riize. Amid leaks and criticism related to his personal life, Seunghan took hiatus from the band beginning in November 2023, briefly returning in October 2024 only to withdraw permanently two days later amid backlash from a subset of the band's fans.

The circumstances surrounding Seunghan's exit from Riize sparked controversy, with many criticizing what they perceived to be a toxic cancel culture mentality among South Korean fans, and bringing commentary on the differing and sometimes incompatible cultural expectations of idols as K-pop expands internationally.

Early life and education

Hong Seung-han was born on October 2, 2003, in the Ilsan District of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea,[2] and attended Jungsan High School in Seoul's Gangnam District prior to transferring to School of Performing Arts Seoul's Department of Practical Music in 2019.[3][4] He graduated from the school in 2022. Prior to his debut in Riize, Seunghan trained at SM Entertainment for three-and-a-half years.[5][6]

Career

2022–2023: Pre-debut activities, debut with Riize, and hiatus

Seunghan was first introduced to the public in a pictorial for WWD Korea on July 2, 2022,[6] with SM Entertainment revealing him as a member of SM Rookies, the agency's pre-debut idol training team. He was introduced along with future fellow Riize member Eunseok, and future Mytro member Shohei.[7]

As part of SM Rookies, Seunghan participated in the SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express concert tour throughout August 2022, performing "Outro: Dream Routine" with then-NCT members (and future fellow Riize members) Shotaro and Sungchan.[8] He also starred in Welcome to NCT Universe, a variety show showing Shotaro and Sungchan guiding the rookies through "everything about NCT".[9] The ten-episode series aired from November 2022 to February 2023 on TVING in South Korea, and Nippon TV and Hulu in Japan.[10]

In July 2023, The Chosun Ilbo reported that Seunghan was set to leave SM Rookies and debut in SM's new boy band that September.[11]

Seunghan looking directly at the camera and smiling.
Seunghan in a 2023 promotional video for Sealook

Seunghan was officially introduced as a member of Riize on August 1, 2023,[12] and made his first appearance with the group in a performance video for "Siren" on August 7.[13] The group made their official debut on September 4 with the single album Get a Guitar, which sold more than a million copies in its first week, becoming the second-highest-selling debut album by a band.[14] The group's follow-up single, "Talk Saxy", was released six weeks later, on October 27.[15]

On November 22, 2023, in response to leaked photos from prior to his debut that showed him kissing a woman in a bed and smoking a cigarette, SM announced that Seunghan would take an indefinite hiatus from Riize.[16][17] At the same time, Seunghan issued a hand-written apology letter to fans, and SM noted that the leaked photos were "severe defamation" and maliciously edited,[17] and that they had identified the source and would be initiating legal proceedings against them.[18]

During the hiatus, SM was criticized for their silence on Seunghan's status. Aside from their statement in November 2023, SM did not respond to any questions from fans and press regarding Seunghan's status with the band, and provided no updates on the legal actions it previously announced were being undertaken on Seunghan's behalf.[17] In April 2024, upon Riize's release of the full-length version of "Siren", a song that was originally released in shortened form in August 2023, the agency attracted further criticism as Seunghan's vocals were removed from the song and dubbed by other members of the group.[19]

2024–present: Return to and withdrawal from Riize, and solo debut

On October 11, 2024, in a statement on the group's official Twitter account, the band's management announced that Seunghan would end his nearly 11-month hiatus and return to group activities with Riize. In the statement, they indicated that they had "determined that Riize's next chapter would be even more meaningful if the seven members were together", and that they empathized with fans who were worried or concerned due to lack of updates over the previous 11 months.[20][21] Shortly after, Seunghan posted a hand-written letter to his official Weverse fan community, apologizing once again and saying he was "deeply regretful and disappointed" over the controversial photos. He also added that his fellow Riize members were supportive of his return to the group, and that he was "filled with gratitude and remorse for the second chance they have given [him]".[21]

Funeral wreaths protesting about Seunghan's return outside SM Entertainment headquarters

Reaction to Seunghan's return was divided. In the hours immediately following the announcement protests were organized, mostly by South Korean fans,[22][23][24] who felt that Seunghan had betrayed their trust and damaged Riize's reputation.[25] That evening, over 1000[26] funeral wreaths began appearing on the plaza outside SM's headquarters in Seoul, bearing messages like "soul of the deceased, rest in peace",[27] "freeloaders, get lost!" and "out with Seunghan",[28] and trending hashtags like "#Seunghan_out" (#홍승한_아웃) and "#RIIZE_exists_as_six" (#RIIZE_6인으로_존재해) on Twitter in South Korea.[23] Some also sent death threats to the singer.[25] Conversely, international fans largely celebrated the comeback,[29] with many arguing that Seunghan's hiatus constituted unfair punishment.[22]

Two days after announcing his return, on October 13, the band's management issued another statement reversing course and announced that Seunghan would be leaving Riize, citing fan response. In the statement, they apologized for "causing confusion", and, referring to the previous decision to return him to the group, had "realized that [their] decision had actually hurt fans".[30] Immediately after, Seunghan posted another hand-written letter on his Weverse fan community.[24]

I think that my leaving the group is the right path for everyone. I don't want to cause any more hurt or confusion for the fans, and I don't want to harm the members any further, and I also don't want to hurt the company any further.

— Seunghan, on his Weverse fan community[24]

Reaction and analysis

Mobile billboard sent by fans to support Seunghan, translated from Korean: "We miss you so much. Laugh a lot, Seunghan. We love your smile the most."

Reaction to Seunghan's withdrawal from Riize was swift. Many international Riize fans expressed support for Seunghan, and condemned SM for caving to what they perceived as bullying[31] and a toxic cancel culture mentality among South Korean fans.[22] Other fans organized mobile billboards to be displayed in front of SM's headquarters displaying messages of support.[31] A fan-created petition on Change.org demanding Seunghan's return to the group had generated over 300,000 signatures in the ten days following his exit from the group.[32]

Within the industry, Seunghan received support from SM labelmate Leeteuk of Super Junior and former Day6 member Jae Park, with the latter criticizing the act of protesting with funeral wreaths, calling the practice "disgusting" and suggesting that those responsible should face legal consequences.[33] Others labeled the use of funeral wreaths as a protest method disruptive to the general public and burdensome for cleanup workers.[28]

Protests over the events continued into November, with demonstrations occurring at the 2024 MAMA Awards in Los Angeles, which Riize attended. Fans protested outside the Dolby Theatre with banners that read "Idols are human, SM protect Seunghan" and flags bearing his face.[34] Inside the venue, Billboard reported that protest material was confiscated by security, including any banners mentioning Seunghan or the group's existence as seven members, as well as anything colored orange, the group's unofficial color.[34] Press covering the event reported that they were specifically told not to ask the group about the controversy.[35]

Fan project expressing support for Seunghan

Analyzing the events, Jeff Benjamin of Billboard opined that SM's handling of issues surrounding Seunghan had the potential to set a new industry precedent, and a potential dangerous standard for other K-pop idols. He noted that South Korea's pop culture takes a conservative approach to idol behavior, in contrast with SM's perceived plans for Riize to appeal to a global audience.[32] Speaking to NBC News, Stephanie Choi, a faculty expert on K-pop music at University at Buffalo, noted South Korean record labels are more likely to cater to domestic fans because they "actively participate in the idol-fan relationship by purchasing hundreds of album copies and meeting idols in person at events", while international fans "consume idols as media figures from a distance, without investing in the idol-fan relationship".[31] Resonate Magazine noted that the clash between South Korean and international fans highlighted the cultural differences between the two groups, with South Korean fans feeling "a sense of ownership over their idols, expecting them to prioritize their careers and maintain a manufactured image of perfection" while internationally, K-pop idols are viewed "as artists first and foremost, deserving of personal lives and freedom of expression".[36]

Writing for The Star, columnist Jan Lee called SM's decision to remove Seunghan only two days after announcing his return "the worst possible course of action", adding that "it is alarming that such a powerful entity would cave with such immediacy to the demands of 'fans', who maliciously send death wishes to an artist, when the industry has lost so many bright, young stars to suicide".[37] Pamela Pascual, writing for Daily Tribune, said that Seunghan was "a case study in cancel culture", and that "K-pop idols often face nonstop criticism that goes beyond their music and targets their personal lives, looks, and choices". She also noted K-pop's history with cyberbullying and its consequences, making reference to fellow SM artist Sulli,[27] whose 2019 suicide was widely attributed to cyberbullying.[38][39][40]

Upcoming solo debut

On November 15, 2024, SM announced that Seunghan was preparing to debut as a solo artist in the second half of 2025.[41] The same day, Seunghan opened official social media channels and shared several new photos.[42]

Discography

Main article: Riize § Discography

As a member of Riize, Seunghan participated in three singles. The first, "Memories", was released in August 2023, followed in September by "Get a Guitar".[43] Both songs were included on the band's debut single album, Get a Guitar.[44] "Talk Saxy", the final Riize single with Seunghan's participation, was released that October.[45] The song was later included as the seventh track on the group's debut EP, Riizing, released in June 2024.[17]

Filmography

Main article: Riize § Videography

Television shows

Television shows appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022–2023 Welcome to NCT Universe Himself Ten episodes [9]
2023 Show! Music Core Co-host Episode 830 with Eunseok and Sullyoon [46]

References

  1. ^ Young, Ha-na (September 5, 2023). "쇼타로·은석·성찬·원빈·승한·소희·앤톤…라이즈 7人 멤버 한눈에 [PICK★]" [Shotaro, Eunseok, Seongchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, Anton… Riize 7 members at a glance]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "쇼타로·은석·성찬·원빈·승한·소희·앤톤...라이즈 7人 멤버 한눈에" [Shotaro, Eunseok, Seongchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, Anton... Rise 7 members at a glance]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). September 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "2019년 04월 06일(토) 전입학실기전형 합격자 명단 > 공지사항" [April 6, 2019 (Saturday) List of successful candidates for the transfer and practical examination]. School of Performing Arts Seoul Board (in Korean). July 30, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  4. ^ Sharma, Tanishka (October 20, 2024). "Seunghan's Alleged Classmate Speaks Out, Gains Fan Support After RIIZE Departure". The Vocal News. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Kandangwa, Sumnima (September 3, 2023). "Meet the 7 members of Riize, SM's first new K-pop idol group in 7 years". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "WWD KOREA X SM ROOKIES". WWD Korea (in Korean). July 2, 2022. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Ahn, Byeong-gil (July 2, 2022). "[화보]SM 루키즈, 새 얼굴 승한·은석·쇼헤이" [SM Rookies, new faces Seunghan, Eunseok, and Shohei]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Yeon, Hee-seong (August 21, 2022). "東方神起からaespaまでSMアーティストが大集結!「SMTOWN LIVE」約5年ぶりとなる韓国公演で涙するメンバーも" [SM artists from TVXQ to aespa gather together! "SMTOWN LIVE" members in tears at first Korean performance in about 5 years] (in Japanese). Osen. Retrieved October 29, 2024 – via Kstyle.
  9. ^ a b "NCT ショウタロウ&ソンチャン&SMROOKIESら出演のリアルバラエティ番組「welcome to NCT Universe」本日より日テレで放送開始" ["Welcome to NCT Universe" a real variety show featuring NCT Shotaro, Songchan, SMROOKIES and others will begin airing on Nippon TV today]. Kstyle (in Japanese). November 16, 2022. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Hwang, Hyo-yi (November 10, 2022). "NCT '무한확장X무한개방' 세계관 담은 'NCT Universe' 열렸다" [NCT's 'Infinite Expansion X Infinite Opening' Worldview Containing 'NCT Universe' Opens]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Jeong, Bit (July 12, 2023). "[단독]SM 신인 보이그룹, 9월 데뷔...최강 5세대돌 '괴물 신인' 탄생" [SM rookie boy group debuts in September... The strongest 5th generation 'monster rookie' is born]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Kim, Na-young (August 5, 2023). "SM 신인 그룹' 라이즈, 데뷔 전인데 K팝 그룹 최단 기록?...인스타 팔로워 100만 돌파" ['SM rookie group' Rise, before debut, the shortest record of a K-pop group? ...Over 1 million Instagram followers]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  13. ^ Yeo, Gladys (August 7, 2023). "Here's when SM Entertainment's new boyband RIIZE will debut". NME. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  14. ^ "Riize to drop new single 'Talk Saxy' on Friday". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  15. ^ Cho, Yong-jun (October 23, 2023). "Riize to drop new single 'Talk Saxy' on Friday". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Riize's Seunghan to 'indefinitely' halt activities due to controversial past". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d Benjamin, Jeff (June 21, 2024). "What Happened to RIIZE's Seventh Member, Seunghan? The Group's Controversy Explained". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Kyung-min, Pyo (November 22, 2023). "RIIZE's Seunghan to take indefinite hiatus following private life controversies". Korea Times. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Grover, Ashima (April 3, 2024). "RIIZE's Seunghan excluded from official 'Siren' music platform debut amid indefinite hiatus: Fans fume over erasure". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 11, 2024). "RIIZE Announces Seunghan Will Return to K-Pop Group After 10 Months of Controversial Hiatus". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Yeo, Gladys (October 11, 2024). "RIIZE's Seunghan to end year-long hiatus and rejoin the boyband". NME. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c SCMP's Asia desk (October 15, 2024). "Seunghan's resignation from Riize sets off heated clash between K-pop fans". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Chin, Carmen (October 14, 2024). "Seunghan leaves RIIZE following fan backlash: "My leaving the group is the right path"". NME. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Herman, Tamar; Tamar Herman, Sara Delgado (October 11, 2024). "Seunghan to Permanently Leave RIIZE". Teen Vogue. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Rawat, Abhilasha (October 20, 2024). "The Dark Side Of K-Pop: Seunghan Leaves RIIZE, How Fan Entitlement Is Ruining Idols' Careers". Times Now. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  26. ^ Cunanan, Charmaine (October 16, 2024). "International fans rally for Seunghan after exit from K-pop group RIIZE". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Pascual, Pamela (November 10, 2024). "Tribune NextGen: Seunghan's RIIZE and sudden controversy". Daily Tribune (Philippines). Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Are K-pop fans' funeral wreath protests public sentiment or public nuisance?". Korea Times. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 14, 2024). "RIIZE Renege on Seunghan's Return, K-Pop Star to Leave Group in Shock Announcement". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  30. ^ Fell, Nicole (October 14, 2024). "Riize's Management Says Seunghan Is Leaving the K-Pop Group Days After Announcing His Return". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c Gao, Larissa (October 22, 2024). "A K-pop star was photographed kissing a woman. Fans decided he should be fired for it". NBC News. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff (October 28, 2024). "Is Seunghan's Exit From RIIZE Setting an Impossible Precedent for K-Pop Stars?". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  33. ^ Art, Pop Culture & (October 22, 2024). "K-pop fans and artists protest SM Entertainment's treatment of Seunghan after his departure". The Express Tribune. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff (November 23, 2024). "12 Things You Didn't See on TV at the 2024 MAMA Awards in Los Angeles". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  35. ^ Terrisse, Christine (November 23, 2024). "The MAMA Awards has potential to be the big American awards show K-pop deserves". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  36. ^ "Should a Kiss End a Career? K-Pop star Seunghan Star Faces Backlash Over Leaked Photo". Resonate Magazine. October 26, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  37. ^ Lee, Jan (November 2, 2024). "How Seunghan's exit from Riize highlights the peril of K-pop's global appeal". The Star. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  38. ^ Ko, Dong-hwan (October 15, 2019). "Cyberbullies turn their hate on dead star's ex-boyfriend". The Korea Times. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  39. ^ "Korea: High-profile suicides spark cyber-bullying petition". BBC News. February 8, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  40. ^ Kim, Soo (October 16, 2019). "K-Pop Organization Vows to Wipe Out 'Cyber Violence' after Sulli's Death". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  41. ^ Woo, Ji-won (November 15, 2024). "Former Riize member Seunghan to debut as solo artist next year". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  42. ^ Kang, Joo-hee (November 15, 2024). "라이즈 출신 승한, 내년 솔로 데뷔… "따뜻한 시선 부탁"" [Seunghan from Rise to debut solo next year… “Please give us your warm regards”]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  43. ^ Murray, Robin (September 5, 2023). "RIIZE Make Their Debut With 'Get A Guitar' - An Instant K-Pop Smash". Clash. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  44. ^ Sun-ah, Shim (September 4, 2023). "Riize debuts as SM Entertainment's new boy group". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  45. ^ Choo, Seung-hyun (November 22, 2023). "'사생활 유출' 라이즈 승한, 무기한 활동 중단" ['Privacy Leak' Riize Seunghan, Indefinite Suspension of Activities]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  46. ^ "《스페셜》 은석 X 설윤 X 승한 , 10월 넷째 주 음악중심 MC 컷 모음!, MBC 231028 방송" [《Special》 Eunseok X Seol-yoon X Seung-han, 4th week of October Music Core MC cuts collection!, MBC 231028 broadcast]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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