Heeseung leaves ENHYPEN to launch solo career
Heeseung is now leaving ENHYPEN.
Korean entertainment company Belift Lab made the announcement on the K-Pop boy group's X account.
The company said that the decision was made after "much thought and consideration" concerning the group's future 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.
"As such, HEESEUNG will be parting ways with ENHYPEN," it continued, saying that ENHYPEN will continue as a group of six members.
"We understand that this news is a lot to process and may be received with mixed reactions. Nevertheless, we hope you understand that this decision was made for the future of ENHYPEN and HEESEUNG."
The company then announced that Heeseung will be a solo artist under their label and is preparing for a solo album.
"We ask for ENGENE's continued love and support for ENHYPEN and HEESEUNG as they start a new chapter of their journey," the statement concluded.
On the K-Pop web platform WeVerse, Heeseung 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.
"Those times will remain some of the most shining moments of my life that I will never forget. I want to be someone who never forgets those moments and continues to support ENHYPEN more than anyone else," he added.
He said that he is taking the advice of the company as to the direction of his music career after much discussion.
"After thinking deeply for a long time, I made a big decision to follow the direction suggested by the company so that I can approach ENGENE with a better side of myself."
"As you know, I’ve been continuing my personal projects and have spent a lot of time hoping that I could show them to ENGENE one day. There were so many things I wanted to show you, but I also didn’t want to put my own ambitions ahead of the team," he added.
"My wish to return and greet you with a better version of myself is completely sincere," he told his fans. "ENGENE, thank you, and I love you."
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.
