Rookie Boy Group RIIZE: Handsome Visuals, Catchy Music, but a String of Dating Controversies

The latest buzz on Korean social media revolves around RIIZE. What’s surprising is that the buzz isn’t about their music or performances, but rather about the romantic rumors of its members. Since their debut in September 2023 with “Get a Guitar,” RIIZE has swiftly risen to become an outstanding rookie boy group. 

RIIZE boasts members with striking visuals, impressive talent, and a solid track record. One standout is Wonbin, whose ethereal visuals consistently steal the spotlight. Both their debut track “Get a Guitar” and their latest release “Love 119” have enjoyed great success. 

“Love 119” has been dominating charts in Korea, becoming a viral song. While their career is on the upswing, RIIZE members seem to find themselves caught in a whirlwind of dating controversies, much to the emotional rollercoaster of their fans.

Seunghan Paused Activities Amidst Ongoing Controversies

The first member to come under scrutiny in RIIZE was Seunghan. With his good looks, Seunghan was expected to be a fan favorite. However, the idol went on a hiatus early on due to a series of controversies. Prior to their debut, leaked photos of Seunghan at a motel with a girl caused a backlash.

Despite this setback, Seunghan remained part of the lineup and took part in promoting “Get a Guitar.” However, in November 2023, Seunghan found himself embroiled in further scandals, including leaked photos and videos of him smoking in public and engaging in a controversial livestream with TXT’s Soobin. Faced with criticism and calls to leave the group, Seunghan was forced to put a halt to his activities just two months after RIIZE’s debut. As of now, RIIZE is active with six members.

Anton Accused of Dating During Vacation

On March 11, a fan accused Anton of being in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend in New Jersey, USA, during a vacation. The situation escalated when the fan account claimed that the idol hadn’t interacted with fans during this time. For a rookie like Anton, being caught in dating photos could potentially lead to him being shunned and could negatively affect the group.

Anton is the eldest son of famous singer and producer Yoon Sang and actress Shim Hye Jin. His background and famous parents have subjected Anton to intense public scrutiny since childhood.

On March 12, the girl seen holding hands with Anton posted a denial, stating that they were just close friends from when Anton was studying in New Jersey. The leaked photo was taken during an outing with a group of friends, not just Anton and the girl. 

This quelled the controversy surrounding Anton, but RIIZE’s reputation has still taken a hit as the group has just debuted, and its members are constantly being discussed due to their private lives. 

Eunseok Dragged into False Rumors Related to Han Seo Hee

On the same day, another RIIZE member – Eunseok – caused unrest among fans by being implicated in dating rumors involving Han Seo Hee. For K-pop fans, Han Seo Hee is no stranger to scandals, especially regarding her involvement in the drug use scandal with T.O.P and B.I. Han Seo Hee has connections with various idols and famous actors.

Specifically, a leaked conversation purportedly between Han Seo Hee and her close friend A discussed romantic relationships with new-generation male idols. Hyunjin (Stray Kids) and Eunseok (RIIZE) were the most affected names. 

Fortunately, it was revealed that all the conversations were fabricated, and the person who posted them clarified. 

Source: k14