Filipino K-pop fans and local merchandise stores have voiced their frustration over the recent departure of Seunghan from the boy band RIIZE. The move, viewed by many as unfair, has sparked protests, underscoring the cultural divide between international K-pop fans and South Korea’s more traditional expectations of pop idols.
On Sunday, Wizard Production, part of SM Entertainment, announced that Seunghan had personally chosen to leave the group, just days after his return from a 10-month hiatus. The hiatus began after personal photos and videos surfaced online, showing the 21-year-old smoking and lying in bed with an unidentified woman. This led to backlash from conservative fans, though others welcomed his return.
While some fans accepted Seunghan’s departure, others were outraged, even sending funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters in protest. Louisa Espantaleon, a leader of the local fan group RIIZE Pilipinas, expressed that the decision hurt and confused many fans. “We felt pain, confusion, and rage over the retraction of their initial decision,” she said.
International K-pop merchandise stores, including several in the Philippines, have joined the protest by halting restocks of RIIZE products. Shops like N.Cat Philippines, Chingu Dachi, and CNA K-pop have all stated that they will pause pre-orders and restocks until a resolution is reached.
“We can’t, in good conscience, support a company that treats its artists with such little respect,” N.Cat Philippines posted on social media.
Marielle Pineda, the founder of Seoul Stop, explained her store’s participation in the boycott, calling Seunghan’s exit “unfair” and adding, “SM Entertainment should have also considered the views of international fans.”
Professor Erik Paolo Capistrano from the University of the Philippines, an expert on K-pop culture, explained that the situation represents a clash between the perspectives of international and Korean fans. While some fans are upset about the privacy violations that led to the leaks, others see Seunghan’s actions as a serious breach of the idealized “perfect idol” image.
Despite the growing boycott, it remains unclear whether it will significantly impact RIIZE’s sales. Capistrano questioned whether withholding merchandise would actually hurt the group or if it is simply a symbolic protest by fans.
Espantaleon acknowledged the challenges of boycotting a group she supports. “We understand that this may harm the group’s sales, but we believe the future and well-being of the members are far more important,” she said.
SM Entertainment has not yet responded to the concerns raised by international fans over Seunghan’s exit.
RIIZE, now composed of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton, debuted in September 2023 with their single “Get A Guitar” and has rapidly gained popularity, earning several awards for rookie acts.