LETTER FROM SEOUL
Popular around the world, K-pop does not escape cultural differences. Proof of this is the virulent controversy surrounding the final departure, on October 13, of Hong Seung-han, alias Seunghan, from the Riize group. The young singer had just joined the other six members of the group after ten months of estrangement due to behavior considered inappropriate in South Korea, but not in other countries.
Formed by South Korean powerhouse SM Entertainment to become a flagship and highly promoted K-pop group, Riize released their debut album, get a guitarSeptember 4, 2023. 1 million copies were sold in one week.
But soon, Seunghan found himself caught up in controversies over his private life. The singer was criticized for a video in which he attacked Soobin, leader of the K-pop group Tomorrow. “incompetence to sing, dance and rap”. The attacks intensified after the publication of another video, taken in Japan, showing him smoking. Added to this was a photo that shows him in bed, kissing his ex-girlfriend. However, he was under 20 years old and therefore legally a minor.
Quite innocuous by Western standards, these revelations are taken very seriously in South Korea – as they would be in Japan or China – where conservative values still dominate and where stars are considered models and, therefore, responsible for a exemplary behavior. Some production agencies even prohibit any intimate relationship.
“Strive to be better people”
As a result, a significant portion of South Korean fans watch nothing. In 2020, Chen, singer of the K-pop group EXO, apologized after announcing his engagement to his current wife. Since then, fans have urged him to leave the group. In March, Karina of Aespa, another SM Entertainment group, apologized after Korean media exposed her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook. The couple separated the following month.
In the case of Riize, fans even protested in front of SM headquarters with trucks transmitting messages demanding Seunghan’s departure. Describe the singer’s private life as“inappropriate”They consider that it represents a lasting shadow on the group’s image.
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