RIIZE was once introduced as a promising seven-member boy group under SM Entertainment, made up of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, Anton, and Seunghan. But Seunghan’s journey took a different turn after his private life was leaked before his debut. He went on hiatus in November 2023 and, despite attempting a return in October 2024, the backlash was so overwhelming that he withdrew from the group completely within days. Since then, he stayed away from the spotlight—until now. Re-emerging as a soloist under the name XngHan, the 21-year-old is beginning a new chapter in his career.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter for the release of his debut solo record Waste No Time, XngHan described the album as a fresh start. When asked about his former team RIIZE, he didn’t hesitate to send them well wishes. “I know that RIIZE is doing so well, and I’m rooting for them as a fellow artist,” he said warmly, adding that he hopes all the members will continue to stay “healthy and well.”
This is the first time in about a year that Seunghan has spoken publicly about RIIZE since his official withdrawal. Back when he parted ways with the group, he had already shared a heartfelt note saying he wished no harm to the members and looked forward to their success. Now, with him debuting under a new identity and RIIZE continuing to grow as a group, fans are curious to see how their paths will cross musically.
There’s also rising anticipation over whether the RIIZE members will acknowledge or react to XngHan’s new single. The possibility of former teammates showing support for one another, even from afar, adds an extra layer of emotion to his solo debut. For both RIIZE and XngHan, the future feels like it’s only just beginning.
