El Capitxn slams ENHYPEN fans blaming him for Heeseung's exit
Producer-singer El Capitxn has spoken out after fans blamed him for Heeseung's exit from K-pop group ENHYPEN.
In a now-deleted cuss-ridden caption, El Capitxn asked ENGENEs, the K-pop group's fandom name, to stop messaging him about Heeseung's departure.
"Stop sending me stories about Lee Heeseung, you f**king bastards. F**k, it’s okay for the kid to do what he did. If you guys are true fans, embrace him first rather than throwing stones. Why do you keep blaming me, you st*pid bastards?" he wrote, as translated by Soompi. He later changed it to "Now get off and play Twitter" before erasing the caption of the post.
According to the discussions online, fans were blaming El Capitxn for allegedly “brainwashing” Heeseung into pursuing a solo career.
El Capitxn and Heeseung have previously worked together, including for ENHYPEN’s 2024 full-length album track, Highway 1009.
Heeseung going solo is 'the most fulfilling approach'
Last March 10, Belift Lab announced Heesung's departure from ENHYPEN, saying that the artist had a unique artistic direction.
"Through in-depth discussions with each of the members about the future they envision and the direction of the team, it became clear that HEESEUNG has his own distinct musical vision and we have decided to respect it," the statement read.
On the K-pop web platform WeVerse, the artist posted a handwritten letter to address fan concerns.
"The past six years have been filled with moments that are so overwhelming and precious that they’re hard to fully put into words. Thanks to the members with whom I shared countless emotions, and to ENGENE, who always filled the empty spaces, I was able to take step after step toward a dream that once felt impossible to reach," he wrote in Korean, as translated by K-pop outlet Koreaboo.
He added that he is taking the advice of the company as to the direction of his music career after much discussion.
Belift Lab later on explained that it would be better for the group and Heeseung himself if he focuses on his solo career.
“We concluded that allowing HEESEUNG to focus fully on his career as a solo artist, rather than pursuing solo activities within the team, would be the most fulfilling approach for both ENHYPEN and HEESEUNG," the label told Billboard.
Following his departure, fans worldwide have started projects advocating for Heeseung’s return to the group. On March 13, Filo Engenes set up a MOA Globe ad for the idol to show their support.
ENHYPEN debuted in 2020 with Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki. The group is known for their songs Bite Me, Sweet Venom, SHOUT OUT, Fatal Trouble, XO, and more.
