Hong Seunghan, a member of the K-Pop boyband RIIZE, has been removed from the group following intense backlash from fans. The decision comes after he was filmed kissing a woman believed to be his girlfriend, reigniting controversy surrounding his past behavior.
The saga began 14 months ago when leaked photos and videos showed Seunghan, then 19, smoking and kissing a woman, thought to be an ex-girlfriend, in bed. His recent unveiling as the seventh member of RIIZE by SM Entertainment was met with outrage from some fans, leading to protests demanding his removal from the group.
On October 11, SM Entertainment attempted to reintroduce Seunghan to the RIIZE lineup. However, a coordinated campaign from a segment of fans deemed 'toxic' forced the agency to reverse their decision just two days later. In their official statement, officials at Wizard Production, part of SM Entertainment, acknowledged the overwhelming negative response and stated they had reconsidered their initial choice.
The backlash was visually represented when fans sent hundreds of white funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment's office in Seoul, symbolizing their view that Seunghan's return would spell the end of RIIZE. The wreaths carried messages like “Hong Seunghan Out” and “Freeloader Seunghan exit,” expressing strong discontent.
Despite the protests, some members of the K-Pop community have criticized the fan-led campaign, arguing it constitutes bullying. British fan Tarryn McMurray expressed her concern, stating, “To turn something that is meant as a sign of respect into a tactic for bullying someone is incredibly egregious.”
As the controversy unfolds, it raises questions about the influence of fan culture in the K-Pop industry and the pressures faced by artists within it.
No comments:
Post a Comment