The K-pop world is still processing the shock of Heeseung leaving ENHYPEN, but the singer just gave fans a reason to look forward to what comes next. During his first solo fan call appearance since the departure announcement, Heeseung broke his silence and shared exciting news about his upcoming music.
BELIFT LAB announced on March 10, 2026, that the 24-year-old would be leaving the group after six years to pursue a solo career. The agency stated that Heeseung had a “distinct musical vision” he wanted to explore, and after long discussions, they chose to respect his decision. The remaining six members—Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki—will continue ENHYPEN activities as a group.
Heeseung Breaks Silence in First Solo Fan Call
On March 22, 2026, Heeseung appeared for his first solo schedule—a video fan call event that had been rescheduled following his exit from the group. During these calls, he finally addressed fans directly about his departure and what lies ahead.
When fans expressed concern about how he was doing, Heeseung reassured them he was doing well. One fan told him, “You can do whatever you want. I will always follow you,” and added, “Yes, because your dream is important too.” The singer appeared visibly relieved by the support and responded, “I will try my best to do [well].”
In another conversation during the fan call, Heeseung gave fans a clear update on his plans.
“I’m feeling good today, so don’t worry about me. Actually, I’m gonna release my album soon. Let me just tell you, it’s gonna be really different. I’m gonna do my best, I’ll work really hard, so you can trust me more. Thank you for trusting me even though you must have been surprised, and I’m sorry [for causing worry].”
The singer’s words mark the first time he has spoken publicly about new music since his departure was announced. He emphasized that his solo project will have a different sound, building curiosity among fans about what musical direction he will take.
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Fans Launch Campaigns While Showing Support
The announcement of Heeseung’s departure triggered strong reactions from the ENHYPEN fandom, known as ENGENE. Within hours, a petition calling for his return gathered 200,000 signatures. Some fans expressed that the loss felt comparable to a major member leaving a top group, with one user writing that for those who understand K-pop, “his leaving ENHYPEN is equivalent to Jungkook leaving BTS.”
International fan communities from countries including the Philippines, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India released a joint statement. While they supported Heeseung’s artistic growth, they questioned why a solo career required leaving the group entirely.
“We fully support Heeseung’s artistic growth and the opportunity for him to explore solo music,” the statement said. “However, we strongly believe that a solo career should not require leaving Enhypen.”
Fans have also organized protest trucks outside HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul since March 11, with demonstrations expected to continue through March 21. Some supporters have raised questions about the timing of the decision, pointing to canceled fan calls, halted YouTube content releases, and last-minute changes to scheduled events that still listed Heeseung.
Despite the protests, the fan call interactions showed that many ENGENEs are also rallying behind Heeseung’s individual path. The singer’s own handwritten letter posted after the initial announcement acknowledged fans’ surprise and asked for understanding.
What Comes Next for ENHYPEN
ENHYPEN will continue as a six-member group moving forward. The group released their seventh EP, The Sin: Vanish, in January 2026, which sold 1.65 million copies on its debut day and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Member Sunghoon mentioned in a February interview with Teen Vogue that the group was preparing for an upcoming tour and other activities.
BELIFT LAB confirmed on March 15 that Heeseung will not return to ENHYPEN, stating the company believes pursuing a full solo career outside the group is the best arrangement for everyone involved. The agency noted that ENHYPEN’s schedule remains demanding throughout the year, making it difficult for members to develop independent musical projects while maintaining full group activities.
Heeseung will remain signed to BELIFT LAB as he works on his solo album. His exact release timeline has not been announced, but his recent fan call comments suggest the project is moving forward.
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