Heeseung Leaves ENHYPEN, BTS Animated Album Trailer, Kpop Demon Hunters Sequel Details

Heeseung’s Exit From ENHYPEN Sparks Online Debate and Fan Protests

A sudden announcement from BE:LIFT on March 10 sent shockwaves through ENHYPEN’s global fandom, ENGENE. In a notice posted to Weverse titled “ENHYPEN’s Future Activities,” the HYBE subsidiary confirmed that Lee Heeseung, the group’s oldest member and main vocalist, would be departing the group to debut as a solo artist under BE:LIFT because “Heeseung has his own distinct musical vision” and the company has “decided to respect it.”

The seven-member group debuted in 2020 and has since become one of the defining acts of K-pop’s fourth generation, building a large international following through global tours and chart success.

According to the statement, the decision came after “in-depth discussions” between Heeseung, the company, and the remaining six members of ENHYPEN. Soon after the notice was posted, Heeseung shared a handwritten letter with supporters explaining his choice.

Read the full translation on Soompi

One sentence in particular quickly caught the fandom’s attention:

“I made a big decision to follow the direction the company suggested.”

For some supporters, that phrasing raised questions about how voluntary the decision may have been. Within hours, discussions spread across social media, with many pointing out that pursuing solo work while remaining active in a group is common practice in the K-pop industry.

Several examples exist within HYBE’s own roster. Members of BTS have released solo albums while remaining part of the group during mandatory military-related hiatuses, while SEVENTEEN’s Jun pursued acting projects in China during a break from group activities. TXT’s Yeonjun has also released solo material while continuing promotions with the group.

Adding to the confusion was the timing of the announcement. Online posts circulated claiming that just two days earlier, Heeseung had mentioned the group’s upcoming European tour during a fan call, seemingly implying that he would be joining the group.

Shortly after the departure notice, it was also announced that Heeseung would not participate in the Hello Australia Melbourne K-Pop Festival. His previously scheduled fan call on March 11 and a fan meeting set for March 22 were later postponed.

Merchandise releases tied to ENHYPEN were also affected. ENHYPEN WORLD merchandise, which had been announced just hours earlier to go on sale at 5 p.m. KST on March 10, was initially delayed indefinitely roughly an hour after the departure announcement. The collection was later released on Saturday and still includes items featuring Heeseung. Meanwhile, Listerine announced the sale of collaborative merchandise with ENHYPEN that also includes the singer.

The group’s weekly YouTube variety show EN-O’Clock, which airs every Thursday, has also gone on hiatus and is scheduled to return in April with “better content,” according to BE:LIFT. However, it has not been confirmed whether the already recorded episodes featuring Heeseung will still be released.

The story quickly became a major topic online. Within 6 days, posts mentioning Heeseung surpassed 28 million mentions and garnered over 65 million engagements on X (formerly Twitter), as supporters debated the circumstances surrounding the decision. Meanwhile, ENHYPEN have reportedly continued trending on X, with over 34 million mentions and 83 million engagements since March 10.

Many fans emphasized that they were not opposed to Heeseung pursuing solo music or even leaving the group, as long as the decision was truly his own. Instead, much of the frustration centered on the abrupt rescheduling of previously announced events, which supporters viewed as a sign that the decision may have been finalized shortly before the announcement.

As questions spread online, fan frustration quickly moved beyond social media.

A Change.org petition, titled “Allow Heeseung to Pursue Solo Activities Without Leaving ENHYPEN,” has since gathered more than 1.8 million verified signatures, with the number continuing to rise. Supporters have also organized protest trucks displaying messages such as “WE STAND BY YOU, ENHYPEN IS ALWAYS 7” outside HYBE’s headquarters.

More recently, groups of ENGENE have gathered outside HYBE’s headquarters in Seoul after obtaining legal permits to protest. Their demands remain consistent: reinstate Heeseung as a member of ENHYPEN while allowing him to pursue solo music alongside group activities.

While it remains difficult to confirm whether theories about Heeseung being pressured into leaving the group hold any truth, the rollout of the announcement has left many supporters feeling blindsided. Critics argue that BE:LIFT could have handled the transition with greater transparency, particularly by addressing the sudden postponement of scheduled events and offering fans who have supported the group for six years more than a 200-words long notice announcing such a significant change.

ICYMI:

• BTS released an animated trailer for their upcoming album ARIRANG, weaving historic references with the group’s legacy and cultural roots ahead of the March 20 release.

• SEVENTEEN members Vernon and The8 are reported to be forming a new subunit with an album aimed for a June 2026 release.

• Netflix has officially confirmed a sequel to the hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters, with original directors returning and plans to expand the story universe.

• Former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam launched her own YouTube channel titled “garamonly.”

Upcoming Tours & Performances

• JENNIE of BLACKPINK, Audrey Nuna (Huntrix Mira), and LE SSERAFIM are set to perform at Osaka Summer Sonic 2026.

• WHIB has announced their first U.S. tour, GO UP: OUR ERA, which will include 10 dates.

• The 2026 Weverse Con Festival has revealed its first lineup, featuring &TEAM, AHOF, CORTIS, ILLIT, LEECHANGSUB, P1Harmony, PLAVE, QWER, TOCUHED, and WENDY.

• Gaho and KAVE will embark on a 2026 Europe tour, performing across seven cities and venues.

Favorite New Music This Week

K-pop soloist Yena returned this week with her fifth EP, “Love Catcher,” a five-track project that explores what the singer describes as the many shades of love. Though brief, the release balances playful pop energy with softer, more introspective moments, giving the record a surprising sense of range within its short runtime.

The gentler side of the EP appears on tracks like “Sticker (ft. MRCH),” “April Cat,” and “Question Marks,” where Yena’s clear, emotionally charged vocals float over delicate acoustic guitar and piano arrangements. These songs lean into a quieter mood, highlighting the singer’s ability to carry emotion through restrained production.

Still, it’s the EP’s opening stretch that leaves the strongest impression. The title track “Catch Catch,” alongside “Spring Fever (ft. DINDIN & Jung Hyung Don),” delivers bright synth-driven pop that feels tailor-made for spring. Both songs pulse with colorful production and a mischievous edge, amplified by Yena’s slightly bratty, twangy vocal delivery.

Lyrics like “Then or now, I can’t hide my heart / That’s what I love about me / Baby, catch me now,” and “The warmer air’s got my heart drifting side to side” add to the songs’ playful charm, capturing the restless excitement that often accompanies new romance.

“Love Catcher” ultimately stands as another confident entry in Yena’s growing solo catalog.

NEXT WEEK’S COMEBACK SCHEDULE

• Sunday, March 15, 2026

  • N.TOP: 2nd Album “We:Disconnect-Find”

• Monday, March 16, 2026

  • AB6IX: 3rd Album “Seven: Crimson Horizon”

  • ALL(H)OURS: 5th Mini Album “No Doubt”

• Tuesday, March 17, 2026

  • N/A

• Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  • Jinsol: 5th Digital Single “From. Sagittarius”

  • LATENCY: 1st Mini Album “Late O’ Clock”

• Thursday, March 19, 2026

  • N/A

• Friday, March 20, 2026

  • BTS: 5th Album “Arirang”

• Saturday, March 21, 2026

  • N/A

— Javeria Yousuf

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