SM Entertainment has announced that they will take legal action in response to the circulation of personal photos of RIIZE’s Seunghan online ahead of their debut.
On the 30th of August, RIIZE’s Seunghan and SM both issued statements. The idol apologized for the past photos controversy while SM said they will be taking legal action against who leaked those photos.
Earlier, photos that were presumed to be Seunghan’s personal photos were posted on online communities, causing controversy. In the photos, the idol can allegedly be seen kissing a woman, several similar photos circulated online.
The following is the official statement from SM Entertainment:
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
Recently, unauthorized photos regarding the private life of RIIZE members have been circulating on social media and online communities. We would like to address our stance on this matter.
Such unauthorized leaks and dissemination of photos are clear acts of illegal behavior. Our company is currently collecting evidence against those who have posted the photos online through various monitoring methods. We are also collecting extensive evidence against those who have engaged in secondary acts such as reposting, distributing, and reproducing the photos.
We plan to press charges against all individuals involved in confirmed criminal activities. Therefore, we kindly ask you to be cautious and not be involved in any unfortunate incidents related to this matter.
Additionally, Seunghan deeply reflects on his actions that have disappointed the fans and caused harm to the team, especially considering the upcoming debut.
Our company will provide even closer management and support for RIIZE in the future, allowing them to focus on their activities. We will make efforts to show a better side.
This is the apology from Seunghan:
Hello, this is Seunghan from RIIZE.
Before standing in front of my fans, I felt the need to write this letter in advance. First of all, I sincerely apologize to all the fans who have been supporting RIIZE.
I caused damage to the team due to personal issues during this crucial and important moment before our debut, and I also disappointed the members and staff of our company.
I am truly sorry for not being able to apologize quickly, as I was scared and anxious. I deeply regret my actions and behavior, and I take full responsibility for everything that has happened without blaming anyone else or making excuses.
From now on, I will prioritize the team RIIZE. I will not only be more careful in my actions on stage, but also in every situation I encounter. I will do my best to show my sincerity towards the team and the fans through my actions.
Once again, I apologize. Thank you for taking the time to read this long letter.
RIIZE, which Seunghan belongs to, is a group consisting of seven members, including the oldest member Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee, and the youngest, Anton. They will officially debut on September 4 with their first single album ‘Get A Guitar’ and hold a debut showcase for the press on the same day.
