After intense fan backlash and protests since Seunghan’s departure, SM Entertainment has finally given an update – but not the one BRIIZE was hoping for!
On October 17, SM Entertainment shared an announcement, stating, “We would like to inform you about our legal response to the infringement of the rights of our artist Seunghan.
Since his debut, we have continuously monitored malicious posts and comments containing false information, personal attacks, insults, and slander against Seunghan,” and added, “We have already collected a significant amount of evidence and are responding by filing complaints against various illegal acts.”
The label stated, “In particular, we would like to inform you once again that writing false information that defames the character and reputation of an artist by impersonating an acquaintance on social media, and maliciously reproducing and indiscriminately distributing such false information is a clear criminal act.”
They announced legal action against perpetrators, “We will take legal action against all illegal acts related to Seunghan, including the above-mentioned acts, as soon as the damage is confirmed, and we will continue to respond strongly without compromise or leniency.”
While SM Entertainment has listed RIIZE as a 6-member group, Seunghan remains an artist under the label.
However, this statement has further fueled fans’ anger. Fans are criticizing SM Entertainment for not protecting him when 1000 funeral wreaths were sent to the company’s headquarters to threaten Seunghan.
SM Entertainment’s statement addressing online harassment has sparked skepticism among fans, who doubt its authenticity. The agency vows to take legal action, but fans remain unconvinced, seeing it as a PR move. Amidst the backlash, RIIZE faces a boycott from K-pop fandoms and artists, losing followers.