On Thursday, April 10, 2025, supporters of the K-pop sensation RIIZE commemorated the milestone of 150 days in their passionate “RIIZE IS 7” movement. This initiative originated in October 2024, immediately following the departure of the group’s member, Seunghan. The announcement triggered a wave of protests among fans, who rallied both in person and across social media platforms to express their discontent.
Fans demanded not only Seunghan’s reinstatement but also initiated a boycott against both RIIZE and its managing agency, SM Entertainment, as they were dissatisfied with the group operating as a six-member ensemble. Furthermore, since Seunghan officially departed, RIIZE has not released any new music, exacerbating the frustration among fans.
In response to the unrest, many called on SM Entertainment to heed the voices of the fans and criticized the agency for its perceived neglect towards RIIZE. Below are some notable fan reactions captured online:
“‘Left artists feeling neglected’ and Seunghan is the number one example of this. It’s beyond artists feeling neglected; SM has genuinely and actively neglected them,” one fan expressed on X.
“This boycott isn’t about turning our backs on RIIZE—it’s about standing up for them. We refuse to stay silent while their integrity and well-being are compromised,” stated a dedicated fan on X.
“Everyone with some humanity should be calling SM Entertainment out on their artists’ mistreatment,” another user added.
“SEVEN OR NOTHING @SMTOWNGLOBAL! We are not going to support your negligence and violence against RIIZE,” declared a netizen passionately.
As the movement gained momentum, fans highlighted their commitment to advocating for their beloved group:
“After months we’re still here and still trending. We’re so powerful, keep on fighting for what’s right and let’s continue making a huge impact!” a fan noted.
“RIIZE isn’t complete without Seunghan. You can’t just cast a member aside when they haven’t done anything wrong,” urged another user.
“Seunghan did nothing wrong. Why did the bullying take precedence? Where is the justice? Where is even a modicum of respect for RIIZE?” questioned a passionate supporter.
“This is actually insane; we’ve been fighting for 150 days. I want to thank everyone because I never thought so many people would continue fighting this long,” commented another supporter.
Understanding Seunghan’s Departure: A Timeline of Events
The saga began in August 2023 when controversial images of Seunghan with his ex-girlfriend surfaced online, leading to public scrutiny. As the controversy escalated with accusations of alleged smoking and bullying towards fellow trainees, SM Entertainment announced Seunghan’s hiatus in November 2023, rendering him absent from the group’s activities for nearly 11 months.
In October 2024, hope resurfaced when the agency hinted at Seunghan’s possible return; however, fans were soon disheartened when SM Entertainment announced his official departure just days later, attributing it to the overwhelming negative feedback received after the initial statement. Despite this setback, fans remained vocal and mobilized protests in favor of RIIZE’s original lineup.
While SM Entertainment indicated that Seunghan would pursue a solo career within the agency, fan campaigns have continuously sought his return to the group, with fervent demonstrations both at SM’s headquarters and online.