K-pop fans fume as star who was forced out of boyband by 'toxic' followers just because he had kissed a woman launches solo career

K-pop listeners are now unhappy that a singer who was forced out of a band by 'toxic' fans - who didn't like that he had kissed a woman years ago - is debuting with a solo career.

Hong Seunghan, formerly of popular South Korean group RIIZE was at the heart of a sinister social media storm which saw devoted 'followers' sending dozens of funeral wreaths to their label, SM Entertainment.

It signified the 'death' of the boyband, for one of its 21-year-old vocalists had been filmed sharing a smooch with what is believed to be an ex-girlfriend when he was 19.

Photos leaked last year also showed the star smoking in bed. Just days earlier, he had been unveiled as the seventh member of RIIZE (a combination of the words 'RISE' and 'REALIZE') on track to becoming the Next Big Thing.

Seunghan was benched by the label, but they attempted to reintroduce him into the group last month.

Distraught fans reacted by hurling messages of abuse at the idol on social media, and posting signs against the singer outside SM Entertainment. 

An unverified video of a man, believed to be Seunghan, walking past the wreaths went viral online, as X users noted how downcast and dejected he looked. Before long, he was out of the band.

But now - despite the turbulent time he has had attached to the group - fans are displeased that the vocalist will not be continuing as a member of RIIZE. 

Many have hit out at SM Entertainment for being 'the worst company' and 'ruining his career at the age of just 21' by not keeping him as a part of the group.

'It's not enough, we want him back in RIIZE,' one penned.

'WE WANT HIM WITH RIIZE,' another added. 

One questioned: 'if Seunghan can be a soloist under SM…… why can't he be in riize………. explain it to me like I'm 5.'

A third proposed that SM is 'testing the waters to see if the support outweighs the hate and he can come back to Riize'.

'This is a sign for us to keep boycotting stronger and stronger,' a comment urged. 'Nothing is official until he actually debuts take this as motivation and boycott as hard as we have never before.'

Another was also frustrated with the sect of 'toxic' fans, writing: 'Allowing those weirdos to get the last laugh, are you actually going to care and protect Seunghan this time?'

'I am very happy Seunghan is still continuing his career as an idol but… if sm couldn’t protect him in a group, how much better are they gonna protect him as a solo artist…?' a second expressed.

Others felt that SM is 'too proud to bring him back to the group but will take his fans money'.

'I'm torn about this because I'd rather he be in RIIZE,' one poster said. 'But at least he will still get to do what he loves and the antis will leave him alone - hopefully.

'Just know that I'll be super supportive, whatever happens. Not the outcome any of us wanted though.'

A translated statement from SM Entertainment, shared on X, read: 'We would like to share an announcement regarding our artist, SEUNGHAN.

'SEUNGHAN is currently preparing to debut as a solo artist in the second half of 2025 and is receiving full support and guidance across several aspects considered essential for a solo debut including systemized training, producing, management, and more.

'Moving forth, updates on SEUNGHAN will be shared via his official social accounts which launched today.

'SEUNGHAN is determined to showcase a new side of himself as he embarks on his journey as a solo artist and carries out his talents and dreams.

'We kindly ask for your warm support and attention as he begins this new chapter. Thank you.' 

FEMAIL has reached out to SM Entertainment for comment. 

According to a translation of the official statement confirming Seunghan's exit last month, officials at Wizard Production (part of SM Entertainment) had 'ruminated carefully' on the overwhelming fan response to Seunghan's return before deciding they had made a mistake.

The decision came after K-pop fans sent hundreds of white funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment's Seoul office to signify that Seunghan's return is the death of RIIZE.

However, other fans within the K-Pop community have hit back at the campaign to have Seunghan removed from RIIZE and have accused SM Entertainment of cowing to 'bullying'. 

'Funeral wreaths are part of a tradition for actual deceased people, and to my knowledge are generally filled with messages of sympathy to the bereaved and the deceased,' Tarryn McMurray, a British fan of RIIZE told NBC. 

'To turn something that is meant as a sign of respect into a tactic for bullying someone is incredibly egregious.'

When Seunghan was reinstated into the band, photos shared on X showed hundreds of angry fans gathered in protest outside the building, as the funeral wreaths were decorated with angry messages condemning Seunghan and SM Entertainment.

According to news outlet AllKpop.com, the wreaths had messages like 'Hong Seunghan Out', 'Seunghan' leave RIIZE', 'Exit RIIZE', 'Hong Seunghan buzz off', and 'Freeloader Seunghan exit'.

An unverified video of a man, believed to be Seunghan, walking past the wreaths went viral online, as X users noted how downcast and dejected he looked. 

'This has to be the most heartbreaking video I've ever watched,' one person captioned the since-deleted clip on X. 'Imagine having to walk past thousands of funeral wreaths like that.  Seunghan I'm so sorry.' 

NME reported that several RIIZE fans urged others to send strong messages demanding Seunghan's removal to the SM Entertainment report hotline, Kwangya 119, causing the website server to crash multiple times in two days. 

Seunghan was also the subject of several vitriolic X posts, calling for his immediate dismissal from RIIZE, AllKpop reported. 

One such message reportedly read: 'SM needs to do something fast before all the fans leave.'

Another person allegedly added: 'SM needs to get their act together. The group was doing well with six members. They are ruining everything.'

'There is a reason fans are going this far about this,' a third claimed, explaining why thousands of funeral wreaths had been delivered to the SM Entertainment building. 

Another claimed Seunghan's return was 'such a disappointment' it had triggered fans intro sending 'so many wreaths demanding he leave the group'. 

'Listen to the fans before the group goes down with Seunghan,' one person allegedly threatened. 

A similar message accused SM Entertainment of 'stabbing fans' backs by bringing Seunghan back into the group', while a third called for Seunghan to 'leave the group voluntarily'.

On October 13, Seunghan resigned from the group in a heartbreaking letter, expressing regret over the infighting within fans in the wake of SM Entertainment's controversial decision to bring him back to RIIZE. 

The letter, obtained by Billboard and translated via Soompi, read: 'I truly do not want the relationship between RIIZE and BRIIZE (as the fandom is called), who were growing together while supporting one another, to be damaged because of me. 

'It also breaks my heart to see the fans, for whom it should be more than enough to just love RIIZE, fighting with each other because of me.' 

Seunghan added that he doesn't want to 'hurt the company [SM Entertainment] any further' nor cause 'any more hurt or confusion for the fans'. 

'So, I think that my leaving the group is the right path for everyone,' he concluded, calling for fans to continue supporting his former bandmates. 

RIIZE currently comprises of Shotaro from Japan, Anton from the United States, and Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin and Sohee from South Korea. 

Over the past few weeks, a counter campaign in support of Seunghan, propelled by the band's international fandom, has emerged online. 

In response to #SeunghanOut and #RIIZEexistsassix, hashtags like  'SMSupportBullying', 'and 'JusticeForSeunghan' began trending on X, with calls to boycott the Korean entertainment giant that also manages EXO, SUPER JUNIOR, aespa, and TVXQ!. 

One tweet read: 'You dont need to stan riize to speak up about this whole situation, you are human before anything else, this is actually a bullying [sic] towards an idol who once had normal life and falling in love, I'm scared people will normalise this kind of behaviour to control their idols.' 

Another person wrote: 'Well I think demanding SM to reinstate Seunghan in RIIZE is, in many ways, a fight for justice. Bcuz he was FORCED OUT & bullied by malicious antis, and bringing him back wld not only address this injustice but also serve as a direct challenge to the toxic parasocial demands of [K-Pop]. 

MailOnline had reached out to SM Entertainment for comment at the time.  

A Change.org petition demanding Seunghan's return to RIIZE has earned over 300,000 signatures at the time of writing. 

The description of the petition claims the young Korean popstar has been the victim of 'malicious rumours and edited content leaks' that derailed his career before it even took off. 

It read: 'He had a promising future, but because of horrible 'fans' of RIIZE, it all led up to this unfortunate fate. Many fans, mostly international fans, want him back in the group, and are still waiting on him. ' 

The support for Seunghan has extended beyond laptop and phone screens. 

Videos and photos circulated online showed rented trucks emblazoned with messages of support and solidarity for him parked outside the SM Entertainment building - the funeral wreaths having long been swept away. 

Seunghan's treatment is another example of an increasingly controlling K-pop fandom within South Korea which demands a near-complete control over stars' personal lives in return for their continued support and affections. 

In several instances, idols have apologised for 'betraying' fans for being in romantic relationships and shattering the illusion they are available. 

A sociologist at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Patrick Williams said agencies managing K-pop stars often enforce a strict no-dating clause because idols being in a relationship is 'bad for business'. 

'They want to sell idols that appear to be, at least in an imaginary sense, romantically obtainable. Fans can imagine themselves in some form of social relationship with this idol,' Dr Williams told the BBC.  

When aespa member Karina's relationship with with actor Lee Jae-wook went public, the 23-year-old singer issued a grovelling apology after fans threatened to boycott her music. 

She apologised them for 'surprising you greatly' while promising to show them a 'more mature and hardworking side' in the future. 

Speaking to NBC about the reason for protests over Seunghan's return to RIIZE, one fan Yuki Shu said fans spend a lot of money on their idols, including buy merch and paying for meet-and-greets, and 'I am not paying money to see you dating other girls'.   

Devoted fans also expect their beloved popstars to abide by the largely conservative norms that govern society, with behaviours such as smoking or pursuing romantic relationships deemed immoral. 

Former Monsta X star Wonho quit the seven-member boy band in 2019 in the face of severe fan backlash, following rumours he smoked marijuana and owed money to several people.

In his resignation letter, he wrote: 'There was a time when I was immature and have made big and small mistakes, but after becoming a trainee and making my debut, I stayed on track and worked hard to avoid being ashamed of myself.'

Wonho also distanced himself from Monsta X, adding: 'They are people who are too good to stop and get hurt like this because of someone like me.'