ENHYPEN - HEESEUNG
Why has the fandom become a monster?
Nothing could be more harmful. Since the sudden announcement of the departure of HEESEUNG, a member of the group ENHYPEN, “confusion” has been reigning within the fandom. The shock of this surprise and unannounced departure has turned into violent collective actions, and the backlash continues to intensify.
Currently, in front of the HYBE building, silence has given way to the slogans of fans’ “protest trucks.” Between the sending of thousands of emails to the media and hateful comments on social media toward those around him, the anger of some fans has long passed the breaking point. As the rage and absence caused by the sudden disappearance of a star turn into “blind fire,” only HEESEUNG, who announced his “new musical direction” as a solo artist, remains silent. The artist announced a “beginning,” but the fandom that supported him finds itself in complete chaos, suffering from unexpected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
On March 10, the agency BELIFT LAB officially announced the departure of HEESEUNG and the reorganization of ENHYPEN. It emphasized:
“We had in-depth discussions about the future of each member and the direction of the group. During this process, we confirmed the clarity of HEESEUNG’s musical vision and decided to respect it.”
The group will continue its activities with six members, while HEESEUNG plans to release a solo album.
After the agency’s official statement, HEESEUNG himself posted a handwritten letter on Weverse: “I shared my works with the company and we thought for a long time about the best way to present them to you. According to the direction suggested by the agency, I made this big decision to return to you, ENGENEs, in a better way.” He thus announced his independence as a solo singer.
The abrupt announcement of a member’s departure has turned the fandom upside down. Although the term “independence” was used rather than “departure,” it is difficult for fans to accept that a pillar member leaves the group for a solo career without any prior signs or incidents. With only one year left before the end of the contract, the fandom is even more confused as the departure could have taken the form of a “beautiful farewell” later, or by carrying out group and solo activities simultaneously, similar to YEONJUN of TXT.
The shock was particularly harsh for those for whom HEESEUNG was (is) the “bias” (favorite member). On social media and forums, many point out that no change in atmosphere was noticeable during the fan sign events preceding the announcement. With a world tour beginning in May, a concert in Australia on the 14th, and various video calls and fan sign events scheduled, his departure seems, for many, to defy all logic. Above all, many criticisms point to a unilateral notification method, without sufficient explanation or minimum time to prepare for the separation.
Faced with this feeling of betrayal, some fans have concluded that this departure was not HEESEUNG’s will but a constraint from the agency. They now demand the cancellation of the departure, stating that ENHYPEN must remain seven. The problem is that these demands are causing considerable damage to those around them. Unfounded rumors are circulating about a forced expulsion, and even the messages of the six other members on the official social media, expressing their support for HEESEUNG’s new beginning, are accused of being fake messages generated by AI.
As with every “incident,” protest trucks are out. Trucks bearing the message “Belift Lab, allow HEESEUNG’s solo album while maintaining his activities in ENHYPEN! Give us back HEESEUNG” occupy the roadway, causing traffic problems and noise disturbances with music played at full volume.
In addition, some journalists are receiving “mail bombs,” ranging from several thousand to more than 10,000 per day, coming from fans presenting themselves as worried ENGENEs. These massive sendings hinder the work of the media, turning an act meant to “protect” the artist into a real nuisance for others.
EL CAPITXN, known for having worked musically with HEESEUNG, is also one of the victims. Fans attacked him on his social media, accusing him of having encouraged HEESEUNG’s “artist complex.” At the end of his patience, EL CAPITXN expressed his anger on the 12th on his social media with a sharp message: “Stop talking to me about HEESEUNG. You […], the kid can be like that. If you’re real fans, hug him instead of throwing stones. Why accuse me? Bunch of idiots.”
While many people are suffering from this situation, the person mainly concerned, HEESEUNG, is absent. Having postponed alone to the 22nd his video call scheduled on the 11th, it is the remaining members who must bear the anxiety of the fandom. The original content “EN-O’CLOCK”, which was supposed to be released on the 12th, has been postponed to April, marking a sudden pause. For the concert in Australia on the 14th, the vocal parts and choreographies must be urgently modified. Even brands using ENHYPEN as models are embarrassed, their promotions being disrupted by this sudden disappearance.
As he takes his first steps as a solo artist, it is difficult to know what this “musical direction” was for which he left ENHYPEN. However, what impact will his solo path have on the public after causing such turmoil, disrupting the daily life, projects, and work of so many people? HEESEUNG’s new beginning, after an announcement without real communication, will it be a solo flight or isolation on a deserted island? It will depend on the attitude and musical sincerity he shows in the future.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS ENHYPEN
