Seunghan

Hong Seung-han, known as Seunghan, is a South Korean singer who first stepped into the spotlight as a member of SM Entertainment's boy group Riize. Since July 2025, he has been pursuing a solo career under the stage name XngHan, releasing music that leans into R&B and personal storytelling. His debut EP Waste No Time landed at number 3 on the Circle Album Chart, and he followed it with the single "Let Go" in December 2025.

Seunghan's journey through K-pop has been anything but ordinary. He debuted with Riize in September 2023, but within months, leaked personal photos and videos from before his debut triggered intense backlash from a subset of fans. After a hiatus, a brief return, and then a permanent withdrawal in October 2024, Seunghan became a central figure in conversations about online harassment and the pressures idol culture places on young artists. His story resonated widely, drawing attention to the gap between global K-pop fandom expectations and the realities of trainees' private lives.

Today, as XngHan, Seunghan connects with a dedicated fanbase called Haneul through music that feels more personal and mature. His Instagram following has grown to over 1.2 million, and his solo work continues to explore themes of resilience and self-discovery.[edit]

Seunghan grew up as an only child in Goyang, a city just north of Seoul. His parents encouraged him to explore different interests, and he earned a black belt in Taekwondo as a child. He also played the saxophone in his school band, though he had no formal vocal or dance training before joining SM Entertainment.

The turning point came in 2020, when a scout spotted him while he was buying ice cream with a friend. He was still a student at Goyang International High School. Seunghan passed the audition and entered SM's trainee system, where he spent two years learning singing, dancing, and stage presence. On July 1, 2022, he was introduced to the public as a member of SMROOKIES, the company's pre-debut team. That October, he appeared alongside fellow rookies Shotaro and Eunseok in a pictorial for W Korea magazine, giving fans their first real look at him.[edit]

Seunghan debuted as a member of Riize on September 4, 2023, with the single "Get a Guitar." The group was positioned as a hip-hop and R&B act, and Seunghan took on vocal and dance roles. But just two months later, on November 22, 2023, SM Entertainment announced he would go on an indefinite hiatus after leaked personal photos and videos sparked controversy among some fans.

For nearly a year, Seunghan stayed out of the public eye. On October 11, 2024, SM announced his return to Riize activities. The backlash that followed was immediate and intense. Two days later, on October 13, Seunghan posted a handwritten statement on Instagram saying he was leaving the group permanently to protect the members and the group's future.

After months of silence, Seunghan re-emerged as a solo artist under the name XngHan. On July 18, 2025, he released his debut EP Waste No Time, which peaked at number 3 on the Circle Album Chart. He followed it with the single "Let Go" in December 2025, establishing himself as a solo act with a sound rooted in R&B and emotional honesty.[edit]

Seunghan's public image has shifted dramatically. During his Riize days, he was seen as the gentle, boy-next-door type with a soft visual. After his solo debut as XngHan, he adopted a more mature, R&B-inspired aesthetic, favoring neutral tones and minimalist streetwear. The media has largely portrayed him as a figure caught in the crossfire of toxic fan culture. His story is frequently cited in discussions about cancel culture and mental health in K-pop. His solo fandom, Haneul (meaning "sky" in Korean), organizes "sky lantern" style light stick events at his concerts. On Instagram, he posts candid, often melancholic photos with heartfelt captions about his journey.[edit]

For years, the story of Seunghan's fanbase has been defined not by unity but by a fracture that mirrors the turbulence of his career. During his time with Riize, supporters were split between those rallying for his return and those reacting negatively to the controversies surrounding his departure. While organized campaigns demanded transparency regarding his exit, there are no documented records of large-scale physical events or charity drives dedicated solely to him before his permanent separation from the group. Following his rebranding as XngHan in July 2025, this early chapter of his solo career shows no evidence of an established fandom name or organized rituals comparable to those of long-standing idol groups. The audience remains largely unorganized under a specific collective moniker, reflecting the polarized history that preceded his independent debut.

Regarding his standing in the global cultural landscape, iFANN has evaluated the subject but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). He is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 nor does he appear on any Top-100 scope list at this time. This evaluation reflects a moment where his fame is concentrated in niche discussions rather than broad global metrics. While the sheer volume of media coverage generated by his administrative saga was unprecedented, the lack of a formal ranking indicates his current influence operates outside the standard parameters of worldwide celebrity measurement.[edit]

Many fans recount the charming story of how Seunghan was scouted while simply buying ice cream with a friend, a detail that adds a touch of serendipity to his origin myth. He is known to be a devoted admirer of American singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar, an influence that likely shapes his R&B leanings. His disciplined approach to life includes keeping a daily journal where he meticulously records both his schedule and his private thoughts. Before joining SMROOKIES, he stood out as the only Riize member lacking any public performance or modeling experience, making his rapid ascent all the more impressive to those who know the industry well. Many observers note his fox-like features, frequently comparing his expression to Nick Wilde from Zootopia.

A widely retold story details the leak of personal photos showing him smoking and kissing a woman shortly after his debut, which triggered a complex sequence of events including a hiatus, a brief reinstatement announcement, and his eventual permanent exit from Riize in October 2024. This saga remains the singular legend associated with his career, overshadowing any potential iconic performances. Following this separation, he rebranded as XngHan, releasing his debut single "Waste No Time" in July 2025, marking a new chapter focused on mature themes and personal growth.[edit]

Seunghan is an only child. He has not publicly shared details about his parents or other family members, preferring to keep that part of his life private. He graduated from Goyang International High School and has not disclosed any university enrollment as of 2026.[edit]

Seunghan was a member of Riize alongside Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton. He was a trainee under SM Entertainment, where producer Kenzie worked on Riize's debut track. His solo career is managed independently following his departure from SM.[edit]

Seunghan has never publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. The controversy that led to his hiatus involved leaked photos and videos that some fans interpreted as evidence of a pre-debut relationship, but he never addressed these rumors directly. As of 2026, he is single and focused on his music career.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Seunghan's net worth at $500 Thousand as of 2026. This figure reflects his relatively short career arc: just over a year as a Riize member, during which SM Entertainment rookie contracts typically recoup trainee debt from album sales, tours, and endorsements. His solo debut in 2025 added new revenue streams from music sales, streaming, and limited merchandise. With over 1.2 million Instagram followers and a growing fanbase, his earning potential is on the rise, but he has not yet reached the financial level of more established soloists.[edit]