Even Billboard Is Calling Out SM Entertainment Over RIIZE Seunghan’s Hiatus
It has officially been seven months now since Seunghan first went on his hiatus from RIIZE following a series of rumors and scandals that SM Entertainment called “unauthorized leakage and distribution” of photos portraying the idol with a woman in bed and others of him smoking. Since the group debuted in September 2023, he was with RIIZE for less than two months before his hiatus began, making his break from the group much longer than his time with them.
And for these past seven months, fans have demanded that SM Entertainment finally make some kind of conclusive announcement about Seunghan’s future with RIIZE. It’s still unclear at this point whether they’re still planning on having him return as a member of the group or having him leave the group and/or the label completely, and it’s gotten to the point where many are calling out the label for being “unprofessional” and ridiculous for stringing fans along.
We’ve written multiple articles about Seunghan’s ongoing hiatus, including different public appearances he’s had and evidence that he’s attending cram school in order to get into a university. Many other outlets have spoken up about SM’s continued silence as well, but it seems nothing at this point will be enough to get a definitive answer from the label.
But now, even Billboard themselves have spoken up about Seunghan’s hiatus and SM’s silence on the matter, and perhaps this could finally be the push needed to get some kind of update about the idol’s future.
Well-known K-Pop writer Jeff Benjamin took it upon himself to write an entire article about the situation regarding Seunghan, and went in-depth into the idol’s scandals and resulting apologies, requests for him not to be mentioned in interviews, and how he is omitted from media in general.
RIIZE’s members did not mention Seunghan when speaking with Billboard or at their concert in Los Angeles, and a non-SM representative made multiple requests that Billboard not mention Seunghan in the interview for the digital cover story. SM Entertainment did not respond to questions about Seunghan’s status with the band, and the company has not provided an update about the legal actions it is taking on Seunghan’s behalf. SM’s company website still lists Seunghan as an artist and a member of RIIZE.
— Jeff Benjamin, Billboard
Also mentioned was what fans are doing to try to get answers from SM Entertainment, including a popular petition and chants at different RIIZE events.
At press time, nearly 19,000 had signed a petition titled ‘Upholding Artists’ Dignity: A Call to SM Entertainment’ calling for legal action regarding the ‘privacy breach’ as well as an ‘immediate end to Seunghan’s ‘indefinite hiatus.” During RIIZE’s May 20 fan-concert at L.A.’s Peacock Theater, a small but mighty crew began to chant ‘RIIZE is seven’ and ‘Seunghan’ before the band returned for its encore; similar chants erupted during RIIZE’s fan-concert days earlier in Mexico City.
— Jeff Benjamin, Billboard
Additionally, the article brings up numerous times in the past that SM Entertainment has dealt with these kinds of scandals and resulting hiatuses. They include Super Junior‘s former member Kangin and his DUIs, Lucas‘s removal from NCT following his “gaslighting” scandals, and even SM defending EXO‘s Chen when a loud minority demanded his removal from the group.
This obviously well-researched and knowledgeable article by Jeff has received a lot of positive responses from fans, many of whom are hoping this is a step in the right direction for getting SM to speak up.
Do you think this will be enough to get answers?
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