SM Entertainment is under fire for the mismanagement of Seunghan’s withdrawal, with fans and netizens expressing frustration over the emotional toll caused.

SM Entertainment, one of the largest and most influential agencies in K-pop, is facing harsh criticism from Korean netizens over its handling of Seunghan, a former member of the rookie group RIIZE. Fans and the public alike are accusing the company of mishandling the situation, leading to confusion and emotional distress for both Seunghan and the group’s fandom.

Netizens Express Frustration with SM Entertainment

On the popular online forum TheQoo, a post that went viral pointed out the perceived missteps made by SM Entertainment during the process. According to the post, Seunghan had been indefinitely suspended nearly a year ago, with no clear decision about his future. This long period of uncertainty lasted for about 10 months, leaving many fans and netizens bewildered by the lack of communication from the company.

Some commenters believe that SM Entertainment could have handled the situation behind the scenes, which might have avoided Seunghan’s personal life being scrutinized and reduced the emotional pain caused to both the former member and the fans.

“If the company had quietly handled his withdrawal behind the scenes, Seunghan’s past private life wouldn’t have been dug up again, and he wouldn’t have been hurt by the fandom’s backlash over his withdrawal. Because of this, within just two days, they made him write two long handwritten letters,” one netizen commented on TheQoo.

Seunghan’s Situation Raises Concerns About SM’s Management

Seunghan, who initially faced backlash for private matters, became the center of attention again when the company’s indecision regarding his departure was brought to light. According to netizens, this not only damaged Seunghan but also created unnecessary strain on RIIZE’s fanbase, many of whom were unsure about the group’s direction and Seunghan’s involvement.

Despite being one of the most established entertainment companies in South Korea, SM Entertainment’s management of this situation has left some questioning whether they are operating with the efficiency expected of a company with over 30 years of industry experience.

“This is a company that was founded 30 years ago, known as the ‘idol powerhouse,’ but their management skills are worse than those of a company founded in 2024,” wrote one frustrated fan.

The criticism intensified after Seunghan had to publicly apologize twice through handwritten letters, a move many felt was unnecessary and poorly timed. Fans expressed frustration with the lack of clarity and consistency in the company’s statements, feeling that both Seunghan and the fandom had been unnecessarily hurt by the process.

Fans Voice Concerns Over Leadership

In response to SM Entertainment’s handling of the situation, several netizens also called for those in leadership positions at SM to step down. Many feel that the company’s poor decision-making throughout this ordeal has highlighted deeper issues within its management team.

“Shouldn’t the two center leaders take responsibility and resign? They are so bad at their jobs. Do you really think they’ll do better in the future?” commented one netizen.

Other comments echoed similar sentiments, with some defending Seunghan and others focusing on the broader impact this situation had on RIIZE’s future and fandom.

“The fans have really been through a lot… it’s crazy,” wrote another fan, summing up the frustration of many.

• “Shouldn’t the two center leaders take responsibility and resign? They are so bad at their jobs. Do you really think they’ll do better in the future?”
• “I don’t even like Seunghan, but this is SM’s fault. What a mess, lol.”
• “The fans have really been through a lot… it’s crazy.”
• “Isn’t the center leader taking responsibility?”
• “At the very least, they shouldn’t be flip-flopping like this. Both the fans and the former member are hurt. What are they even doing?”
• “Honestly, I feel bad for that idol. At such a young age, does he really have to go through this kind of humiliation? I feel like the company is being too harsh lol. Even the things that are being called ‘mistakes’ don’t seem like that big of a deal (;”
• “The center leaders should apologize and just resign already.”

This situation has sparked widespread conversations online, as many believe SM Entertainment’s treatment of the issue reflects poorly on its ability to manage crises and its artists’ careers. While Seunghan has moved on from RIIZE, the lingering impact of how his departure was handled is likely to affect both him and the group’s fans for some time to come.

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