Riize's Seunghan apologizes after photo leak showing him with woman on bed

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Riize's Seunghan apologizes after photo leak showing him with woman on bed

Published: 31 Aug. 2023, 12:14 Updated: 31 Aug. 2023, 16:17

CHO YONG-JUN
cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr

Seunghan from boy band Riize [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

Seunghan from SM Entertainment's upcoming boy band Riize issued an apology after a photo leak that showed him with a woman on Monday.

The photos show Seunghan kissing an unidentified person on a bed.

The agency announced a day after the leak that Seunghan will not attend the scheduled pre-recording of "NPOP," Naver Now's online music show program.

"I am writing as I think it's correct to address it before standing in front of our fans," Seunghan said in a post on Riize's Instagram Wednesday.

"I would like to apologize to fans who've been supporting Riize. I have damaged the team and disappointed the members of Riize and staff of SM Entertainment with my personal actions during an important and decisive time when [the band] is about to make its debut," he said.

"I find it sorry that I was unable to make a timely apology, as I, too, was scared and anxious about the matter," Seunghan added.

"From now on, I will put my team Riize foremost and cautiously consider all the actions I have to encounter, on and off the stage."

SM Entertainment also released a statement Wednesday, warning that leaking and distributing photos regarding Riize's members' personal lives will result in legal action.

"Photos regarding Riize members' personal life have been posted online without consent … and such actions are clearly against the law, and the agency is currently collecting information, including against those re-distributing the photos and spreading rumors," SM Entertainment said.

"The agency will take legal actions in all cases that are found to be a criminal offense, so we hope you take notice not to be involved in such scandalous cases."

Riize, SM Entertainment's new seven-member boy band, will debut on Monday with its first single "Get A Guitar." Riize consists of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee and Anton. Shotaro and Sungchan debuted in 2020 as members of boy band NCT.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]