K-pop artist Seunghan. Photo from RIIZE's X account

K-pop artist Seunghan is departing from the rising boy band RIIZE, his agency announced late Sunday, a decision that comes just days after it was revealed that he would rejoin the group.

Wizard Production, the division of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment that handles RIIZE, shared the development in a statement posted on the group's X account.

In the statement, translated into English by K-pop news portal Soompi, Wizard Production said the 21-year-old idol personally decided to leave the group.

After announcing Seunghan's return, "we ruminated carefully on each and every one of the opinions and responses sent in by fans, and we realized that our decision had actually hurt fans more and caused them greater confusion instead," Wizard Production said.

"Seunghan has consistently expressed his desire to leave the group for the sake of the members and the fans," it added.

"Out of respect for the artist's decision, we are announcing Seunghan's departure from RIIZE, instead of his joining the group."

Wizard Production apologized to fans for "causing confusion" with its statements and to the remaining six members of RIIZE "for creating hardships."

The news of Seunghan’s departure comes just two  days after SM announced that he would resume activities with the group, following a nearly year-long hiatus.

Seunghan's break, which came two months after his debut, was prompted by the leak of personal photos and videos showing him smoking and kissing an unidentified woman, taken even before he became an idol. This incident sparked backlash from some conservative fans in South Korea.

With his departure, RIIZE, which has gained popularity since debuting in September 2023, will continue as a six-piece group composed of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee and Anton.

READ: RIIZE's 1st PH outing: Fans' energy exceeds expectations

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