In a delightful turn of events for fans of K-pop boy group RIIZE, the band has been featured on the cover of a special issue of Numero TOKYO magazine. This news comes as a beacon of hope for RIIZE’s dedicated fanbase, especially after a tumultuous week marked by member Seunghan’s temporary hiatus from group activities.
Seunghan’s decision came after he experienced days of intense criticism due to leaked Instagram videos, including one showing him smoking. Following the backlash, Seunghan announced that he would be taking an indefinite hiatus from the group.
SM Entertainment confirmed that RIIZE would continue as a six-member group during Seunghan’s hiatus. Despite the controversy, fans have been campaigning on social media for Seunghan’s return. Posts with hashtags like #FOREVER_SEVEN_RIIZE show their unwavering support for the group.
RIIZE in Numero TOKYO Jan/Feb 2024 issue
The release of Numero TOKYO‘s January/February special combined issue was met with overwhelming positivity from fans. The issue, themed SEVEN DREAMS: RIIZE’s Seven Youths, features the whole group on the cover. Members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Seunghan, Sohee and Anton were also featured in a photo spread within.
Check out these photos of RIIZE in Numero TOKYO:
Fan reactions to the Numero TOKYO RIIZE edition
Here are some of the fan reactions seen online:
- “They all look so good! Plus the fact that they kept Seunghan in the pictures and didn’t edit him out or do reshoots seems like a good sign that he’ll be back.”
- “I am so happy to see our OT7 together! Everyone looks so good. They are giving model energy here.”
- “At this point I’m just happy there’s at least some OT7 pics still coming out.”
- “Seunghan! I missed him [so much], even if he’s not officially back from hiatus something about seeing OT7 again just feels so right.”
Numero TOKYO also released a behind-the-scenes video of the cover shoot, featuring all seven members.
Interviews feature only six members
While fans are overjoyed at seeing photos of all seven members together, it’s important to note that the magazine only carried individual interviews with six of the boys. Seunghan’s interview was omitted from the online version of the magazine.
However, this detail has not dampened the spirits of the fans. They continue to celebrate the group’s collective presence in the magazine.
The positive reaction to RIIZE’s feature in Numero TOKYO reflects the fans’ unwavering support and love for the group. Despite the current challenges, there is a shared hope among the fan community for the day when all seven members can stand together once again.
The anticipation for Seunghan’s return remains high, with fans eagerly awaiting the moment when RIIZE will reunite in its full glory.
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