Seung-han, who was held back by past history, stopped the third activity of the letter only → return → withdrawal from Rise

Oct 14, 2024

Seung Han, former member of Rise. Photo courtesy =SM Entertainment

Seung-han, a member of the group Rise, ended up leaving the team. The privacy issue during his trainee days before his debut finally hampered him.

Seung-han made his debut as a Rise member in September last year, but he suspended his team activities in November that year as his personal life as a trainee before his debut was revealed to the surface. This is because the wavelength grew as photos of a woman and Seung-han, who were identified as girlfriends in the past, were leaked.

At that time, Rise was a boy group launched by SM Entertainment (SM), a large K-pop agency, after a long time since NCT, and it was very popular upon its debut. As such, the news that Seung-han suspended his activities two months after his debut was shocking.

SM said it would take legal action against issues related to Seung-han's private life, saying that unauthorized leakage of photos is a clear violation, but added that it feels a great sense of responsibility for neglecting artist management. At the same time, Seung-han said he was sorry for disappointing the fans as well as the team and members, announcing the suspension of Seung-han's activities.

A handwritten letter left by Seung-han announcing the suspension of his team's activities in November last year. Photo =Weverse

Seung-han also wrote in a handwritten letter that `I know all too well that my past rash actions are currently harming too many people. I'm really reflecting on myself"I apologized to the team and the fans. Then "I'll really reflect on myself and try harder to become a better person.", leaving room for the team to return.

Since then, Rise, who has been active as a six-member band, has won the Rookie of the Year award at various big music award ceremonies, and has been loved by global fans for producing hits in succession, including his debut song 'Siren', 'Love 119', 'Talk Sexy', 'Impossible', and 'Boom Boom Base'.

Seung Han, former member of Rise. Photo Source = Rise Official Account

Meanwhile, Wizards Productions, the center in charge of Rise, reported on the 11th that Seung-han will return to the team from November. Wizards Productions cautiously announced Seung-han's return, saying, "Seung-han acknowledges his past behavior was wrong, is deeply sorry for the members and fans, and has been suspended for nearly a year." "After contemplating the direction of Rise's activities from various angles, the next chapter of Rise will be more meaningful only when the seven full members are together."

About his past, which was also a problem for Seung-han "I looked like myself when the photos before my debut were released, but I felt so disappointed and regretful for myself. I don't know what the members and fans around me were like. I think you must be angry, surprised, and disappointed."

A letter left by Seung-han announcing his team's return. Photo =Weverse

I would like to apologize to the members and the company for being hurt by my immature behavior, and to the members who had to work hard with me, I suddenly stopped my activities, and I would like to apologize to everyone who had a hard time overcoming the situation", he also apologized.

I think I should work harder as much as you believed me about my future plans"I will try to be a good member with a sense of responsibility so that I don't interfere with the achievements that the members have built up." "I want to be a necessity for the Rise team."

However, there was a strong opposition to Seung-han's joining among fans. Some fans sent a wreath to SM Entertainment's office building to oppose Seung-han's return. Member Won Bin also confessed his feelings about Seung-han's return, but the fans were still in a sharp mood.

Seung Han, former member of Rise. Photo = Yonhap News

In the end, Wizards Productions officially confirmed Seung-han's withdrawal from Rise. Seung-han, who was scheduled to return after 11 months after his debut, even reversed this and left the team for good. The announcement of Seung-han's withdrawal came two days after announcing his return, and Rise plans to continue with the six-man system.

Wizards Productions bowed its head on the 13th "We sincerely apologize for causing great hurt and confusion to Breeze due to the announcement of Seung-han's return as mentioned on the 11th."

He then apologized for the announcement on the 11th, saying, "We are especially sorry for the growth achieved by the six members of Rise, your support, and the importance of the time you spent with Rise and Breeze, and for putting the production's position first."

The background of the original attempt to return Seung-han was that he/she thought for a long time that if Seung-han repented of his/her past mistakes and returned to show that Rise once again grew to the next level as a team, he/she would be able to give greater happiness to artists and fans", he explained.

In response to the fans' reactions, he said, "However, after reflecting on the opinions and reactions sent by the fans one by one after another after the announcement of the return, we realized that our decision only caused more confusion and hurt to the fans."

He then officially announced Seung-han's withdrawal from the team. Wizards Productions "Seung-han has expressed his intention to leave the team for the members and fans. We respect the artist's decision, and we would like to say that Seung-han has left the Rise, not joined it."

However, although Seung-han's withdrawal from Rise is correct, he is determined to continue with SM Entertainment and Wizards Productions. Wizards Productions said it will support Seung-han to fulfill his talents and dreams in the future.

I would also like to express my sincere apologies for giving difficulties and confusion to the six members who have made us what we are now by doing their best thinking about the fans since our debut" We will do our best to support Rise members in all areas in the future so that they can continue to grow further."

Finally, "We will be careful about everything in the future, and we will try to make sure that the time when Rise and Breeze can be happy together lasts for a long time."

A handwritten letter left by Seung-han announcing his withdrawal from the team. Photo =Weverse

Seung-han also left a handwritten letter on the fan communication platform Weverse on the same day. Through the letter, he announced his withdrawal from Rise and expressed his regret to the members and fans (official fan club).

"I know that many of you are seriously thinking about my return to action, and I am now aware of the seriousness of the situationSeung-han, who said, `I only thought about myself so far, and I thought deeply about whether it was okay for me to join the team called Rise, which should be loved, and only worried and sorry feelings came to mind.'

He explained the reason why he decided to leave the team, saying, `I don't want to cause any more confusion and hurt to the fans, I don't want to cause any more damage to the members, I don't want to cause any more damage to the company.'

I would like to thank SM and Rise members for their efforts to give me another chanceHe said to the fans, "I'm not good enough, but I'm sorry and thank you for your support," he said.

Despite the division among fans over Seung-han's return issue, "I really don't want the relationship between Rise and Breeze, which was developing together by supporting each other, to deteriorate because of me. It's so heartbreaking to have enough fans fighting against each other just because of me." Finally, "Please, I hope that the Rise I love will be loved more in the future and I will sincerely support it."

With this, Seung-han left three handwritten letters, including suspension of activities, announcement of his return, and withdrawal. Some say that considering the social influence of K-pop idols, moral awareness should not be delayed even if it is a pre-debut issue.