RIIZE transitions to a 6-member system as Seunghan suspends activities.

On the 22nd, SM Entertainment posted an official statement regarding Seunghan on RIIZE's official SNS. The statement opened with, "Seunghan is reflecting on causing disappointment due to personal life-related issues." 

They stated that he is currently feeling psychological pressure and a sense of responsibility. It was revealed that, respecting his wish not to cause further harm to the team and members, he has decided to indefinitely suspend his activities.

Seunghan conveyed his apologies through a handwritten letter, expressing, "I am truly sorry. I am well aware that my past thoughtless actions are causing a lot of harm to many people." 

He continued, "I am deeply sorry to the fans who supported me and the RIIZE members. I will genuinely reflect and strive to become a better person. I apologize once again."

From this day forward, RIIZE will continue activities with the remaining six members excluding Seunghan. The statement emphasized that the decision was made through careful discussions with the artist and appealed for understanding from fans, stating, "As this is a matter decided through discussions with the artist, we ask for your broad understanding."

The agency also acknowledged its responsibility in artist management, expressing, "We feel a significant responsibility for the oversight in management. We sincerely apologize to the fans."

However, regarding the unauthorized leaking of photos and videos, they announced their intention to take legal action. "We plan to file a criminal complaint against the perpetrator with the local police station this afternoon," they stated. 

They added that they are considering legal measures, including addressing unauthorized leaks and distribution, as well as various other illegal activities such as cybercrime and threats.

In conclusion, the agency asserted, "We will handle not only legal actions but also any secondary harmful actions without any compromise or leniency. Thank you."

<Whole statement from SM Entertainment>

Hello, this is SM Entertainment.

We would like to address the situation concerning RIIZE member Seunghan.

Seunghan has recently expressed sincere apologies and reflections regarding the unauthorized leaking and distribution of his personal life-related issues through SNS and online communities, causing disappointment and confusion among the team, members, and fans.

Feeling psychological pressure and a sense of responsibility, Seunghan has conveyed his intention to suspend activities for the sake of the team after deep contemplation.

Recognizing the challenging circumstances, we have decided that continuing activities in such a situation would be difficult. Respecting Seunghan's desire not to cause further harm, we have indefinitely suspended his activities.

Therefore, from today (22nd), RIIZE will continue its activities with the remaining 6 members, excluding Seunghan.

We understand that this is a sudden development, but as it is a decision made through careful discussions with the artist, we ask for your understanding.

We feel a significant responsibility for any oversight in artist management, even from pre-debut days, and sincerely apologize to the fans once again.

However, the current leaked videos and photos were taken during Seunghan's pre-debut trainee period in private moments. They have been intentionally edited and reproduced multiple times, using screenshots from videos with identified sources to cause misunderstandings.

Furthermore, the unauthorized leaker and distributor of these videos and photos have employed malicious tactics, including creating non-existent messenger conversations and spreading baseless misinformation. This has led to serious defamation against the artist through fabricated and distorted information.

As soon as we became aware of these facts, we initiated monitoring and collected a substantial amount of evidence to identify the unauthorized leaker and distributor. We plan to submit a criminal complaint to the local police station this afternoon.

In addition, for specific individuals, we are considering legal measures not only for artist defamation due to unauthorized leaks and distribution but also for various illegal activities, including cybercrime and threats.

For the sake of the artist, the team, and the fans who love the team, we will not only take legal action but also sternly address all secondary harmful actions, such as generating and spreading indiscriminate rumors related to the artist through additional posts.

We will continue to do our best to protect our affiliated artists.

Thank you.

<Photo=Dispatch DB, SNS>

<Translated by=Gawon Park(Dispatch)>