Need to get something off my chest. I didn't want to talk about Heeseung right now. But with so many conflicting opinions, I'm wondering if Heeseung DID want this?
If he did want a solo instantly—that is fine. But the timing of this happened so illogically, that I can't HELP but think about it. This is just a rant. So.
So, here is my version of the timeline:
It's 2025. Hee released dial tragedy, and it sounded really good. And that was around... summer(?). Heeseung thinks he is definitely ready for a solo album, but he needs to get Bad Desire, the concerts, and Knife over and done with.
Hee suggests his ideas to the team once they hit November. At this point, filming En O clock. He is ready to go. He thinks he can do it within a group, and this would be a point in his life that really boosts his artistry.
The label decides that he should wait—discussions start in December of what he should do—this may include renewals, schedules, and anything to do with his solo.
He gets told that this isn't possible with their schedule. Even then, Hee wants to try and negotiate this, and he properly fights to make an album of his own while being in the group. He gets called greedy and "putting his ambitions above the group," and Hee falls into doubt. He doesn't know what to do.
Cue conflict in his head, the day dreaming, and the zoning out. At this point, it's ending December. En O clocks are filmed, but Heeseung is deeply conflicted.
January, he gets given more options of what he can do. He is told there is NO room for his artistry even though other artists are allowed time to do this. Manipulated more. Therefore, the desire to leave rises and emotions run high.
They have their comeback and are filming BTS of the comeback stages where he is visibly seen being distant on camera. My guess is that he told Jungwon/other members, and they decided that they couldn't get involved too much. But that Heeseung's idea of a solo is good. They support him. They know he talented af.
Then, cue all the interviews and shows where he says they "are planning/working on their tour," and he smiles when he accidentally "spoiled" it. They even have their comeback live where he is seen happy, less distant. So, at this point, Heeseung may feel positive with the members' support.
February arrives. He does his life, and everyone acts normal. Jungwon comes live a few more times. So does Jay. And all the members. They know discussions are happening, but nothing is negative as of yet.
Then comes the news of the fancalls, the Melbourne concert festival, and they film a video where all 7 of them are also discussing that they are excited to go! Fan calls are promoted as 7 members when fans purchase the tickets for each event, expecting Heeseung.
Heeseung is getting more irritated with being kept on hold with his album. He keeps asking. And then, March arrives. He damn well knows he needs to do something about it. Then, they deliver a dumb ultimatum on a random weekend in March that pushes him into a corner. He is now conflicted again, manipulated to be thought of as greedy, and is thinking about his future. He tells the members. They are a little bit pissed, and there could have been confrontations.
Could be the reason why all members were "sick" on that one event last week. Things went down.
Another fancall, but he says, "we're planning on coming to Europe" — indicates that they were planning for a tour.
9th March, he goes to Shanghai for the fancall. Riki isn't there because of politics. And he knows he has to make a decision.
9th-10th March overnight, something must have pushed Heeseung to do this OR the label pushed him to do this to either: cover up a scandal he did; cover up a scandal in HYBE (bc yes, Bang PD also had some criminal sentence given to him); they are hard launching Heeseung for no reason without his group; Heeseung genuinely was pushed to the brink for some reason. And does so in the middle of promotions. This is where the big gap is that we don't know among many others (and has caused fans to spiral).
Now, I want to reiterate—if Heeseung wants to leave the group, that is fine. But the lack of closure of why he left now rather than later, what pushed him to drop Enhypen, and why Belift couldn't make space for his creative freedom is now what fans demand. It doesn't make sense as to why this happened.
That is what I demand. I need the whole truth. From him. Not from AI generated letters, but from his own mouth, from the members as well. But, considering how much he was talking about touring, being with the others for their 10th anniversary, and doing activities in 2026 AS A GROUP, his words don't match this action, and has left us MORE confused.
So, for this to suddenly happen overnight means something must have happened to push this decision. I know it wasn't planned:
They planned their Melbourne trip. (Heeseung is not going to be there and cancelled his flight).
En o clock was filmed, edited, scheduled, and released for 3 weeks now. (It has now been postponed until April, even though they left it as a 2 part episode where part 1 clearly has Heeseung edited in).
They had fan calls scheduled (postponed and/or cancelled until later this month).
They have so many more activities they talked about (tours, solos, being together).
So no. It wasn't planned because otherwise, this wouldn't be as disorganised as Belift is trying to hide it as. It is the messiest departure I have ever seen with no explanation, no transparency, no truth as to what made Heeseung supposedly "choose" to commit himself elsewhere after all this in such a last-minute decision.
Onto my other point—if Heeseung genuinely chose this with all his mind, why are the members having to act as if Heeseung doesn't exist? Isn't this something he chose to do? Why wouldn't the members want to say something in SUPPORT of Heeseung going solo, knowing that the media has BLOWN UP in backlash against this decision. If this was Heeseung's whole decision, then the members, Heeseung, should reassure the fans themselves. Not the label—the members themselves. They have to act as if he was never there, which isn't a good look for anyone.
Next. It was so rushed. Usually, with departures, the member leaving usually has one last goodbye in person. Not dramatic but visible. But for Heeseung, it was a letter, no appearance, and now, we don't know where he is, if this is really in his best interests.
Next, onto his letter and statements. The belift statement said he has a distinct and different music style.
Okay? So? Lots of groups do their concept as a group and solos, and you know what? This brings in more attention and money to the group as a whole. People have speculated that Belift pressured him to do so in order to get double the amount of money—but that also is weird. If this was about money, they could still get that same amount of money even if he was IN a group. The thing that really upholds that is their timing and creative freedom. They didn't give that to Heeseung, made him feel guilty and trapped, and now, this.
Second—this is still about Heeseung's statement regarding how he doesn't want to be greedy—again, lots of groups do this and it is NOT seen as greedy. Unless you don't have eyes, solos have gotten great attention. E.g:
These artists, in one way or another, have brought attention and money in for themselves and their groups, all while keeping their creative freedom.
So, for Heeseung, it comes down to his team manipulating him into thinking otherwise. Heeseung also mentioned doing it in the company's suggestion, further reinforcing the idea of how the management team were not supporting him, pressuring him into choosing one or the other—
Which makes no damn sense. Even if he did choose their "suggestion", it still implies he was given an ultimatum and no choice. He was forced into a corner. Which is a problem that fans have.
Someone on tiktok also mentioned that it could be a contractual issue and it physically does not allow Heeseung to make solo music.
But that doesn't link to why he did this so ABRUPTLY. He could've left after Melbourne, after fan calls, and in a more softer way too. This was a smack in the face.
This clearly wasn't planned. It's messy. It's vague. And it has kept the fandom in the dark. Causing this explosive mania in the media. If Belift want us to truly support Heeseung, they would address our questions. Heck, get Heeseung and the members to reiterate that they should support this because it IS HIS decision.
"What if the dude wanted to go solo?"
Hm well, this again doesn't explain his abrupt exit with all the schedules. Usually, artists are happy about a decision being made. Why should he hide? Yes, maybe he is drained, but it doesn't explain why he can't make another post or why the members can not come in support of him. I will support Hee no matter what, but with the timing and schedules, it seems odd and strange. Also doesn't explain why they would do so in the middle of the week. Not to mention how much he's been emphasising tours only a few weeks ago. We need an explanation.
"You guys are being dramatic."
Well, yeah, sorry to be dramatic, but what the company has done is also dramatic. The energy is just being matched since it came out of nowhere.
"Petitions and protests aren't gonna do anything. What if he doesn't come back anyway."
You're right. It could do nothing. But it could also force an explanation out to fans about WHY Heeseung left so abruptly knowing they had schedules lined up. What was his reason? I need to see the truth bc i genuinely hate being left in this ambiguity of what is going on rn. Most of the people saying this genuinely are not part of the fandom and don't understand the sudden mania. These Petitions actually show the label how POORLY this was handled because of the confusing timing and how his actions have confused everyone. In fact, these Petitions could show how they need to be transparent in order to calm the masses down and clarify.
"He's probably sick of the mistreatment."
Yeah, sure. But then, it doesn't explain why he would stay under the same label when the burdens would just increase. With the members, he could face the burdens together. Going solo under the same label wouldn't do as much justice, I fear. It would be the same amount. Less people. Idk.
"I thought you guys hated Belift and wanted him to be creatively free. Why are you guys not letting him???"
God. The way these people pmo. First of all. He isn't even leaving Belift. He's allegedly going to be a soloist under the same group. Second of all, we are saying all this because HE ISN'T CREATIVELY FREE. Let me explain. He can't be creatively free in a group, and they couldn't be bothered to give support to him, but if he's alone, Belift will let him be creative? It isn't US not letting him be creatively free. Its Belift who is limiting him for no reason, saying that being in a group and doing solo projects is "greedy/putting his ambitions over the group" when in reality, this wouldn't be true. Letting him? Bro, we want him to be creatively free, but it shouldn't require him to leave the group; in this case, we are saying that Belift SHOULD make time for him within the group. To do so outside the group feels like it's isolating him. And if this is what Heeseung truly wanted—to leave for creativity, I still think it says a lot about how the label is restricting the other members, too. Additionally, can they not let Heeseung come on and say this to calm everyone down? Let him be visible. Let him be here for the fans who are panicking. Maybe he doesn't want to, but I think this whole incident is not helping Heeseung if he did decide to do this. So, maybe let him calm the masses? I'm confused as to why he can not stay in a group and be creatively free. That is a question I would like answered, but it wasn't in his sudden departure. Another reason why fans are going crazy.
"You guys are being parasocial. He's not dead."
Lol, what. A lot of things in many people's life gives them a safe corner (lol me), but just bc I'm upset, doesn't mean I'm parasocial. I know this is a man I have never interacted with. Idk what goes on behind the camera, but again, when fans are kept in the dark, they tend to speculate.
Adding to that note, since fans are speculating and such, why haven't the members ADDRESSED IT. I will accept whatever path Heeseung chooses, but this supposed decision has made the members act like he doesn't exist, as if they need to erase him and have left fans confused.
Simple solution. Address the confusion, the questions as I have addressed above (about the timing, cancellations, and the members), and shut the mania down. This silence from the company and members isn't helping anyone at all, especially Heeseung. If they want us to be satisfied with thst decision, let Heeseung speak fr. Let the members voice their support. Right now, it seems stiff and uncertain.
Another note I would like to add is:
DO NOT go onto other groups/producers/makeup artists or whatever and ask them to do something about it. Seriously. I think yall pissed off the producer when he has nothing to do with the company. We are targeting BELIFT and Enhypen. Don't go under TXTs account and spam Heeseung in such a silly way. Also, don't wish this on other groups (except ADP, Tarzan, Super Junior😹😹✌🏼. They deserve to go fr). DO NOT take information from twitter from random people because this is easily spread as misinformation and we don't need crazy theories right now. We need logic. Please be mindful of how you read and comprehend things before blowing it up!!
And another thing: for the other fandoms being so petty. "Well, they said bad things about Jin at the MAMA awards".
Holy shit. If we're gonna talk abt toxic fandoms, let's start with ARMYs because I'm BOTH of these. The utter irony to be petty about being asked to help with the petition is met with such aggression that it genuinely boils my blood. They're not obligated to help, of course, but you don't need to hold that over another fandoms' head when you know damn well it wasn't all of them, and say "I don't care. Why would I help you when yall said xyz? " Genuinely immature asf and chronically online asf.
As I've said. The point of all this isn't to necessarily bring him back for good. It is being done because fans are aware of the strange timing of it being in the middle of the week, that he has said things conflicting with this event, and that it clearly wasn't planned. The point of these Petitions or protests is to demand Belift to let the members be heard and seen together and see their reasoning. And for our questions to be answered. For Heeseung to, at least, be seen one more time. Not to disappear on a whim. This sudden event has left us all confused on why. We just need that answered.
And update: the members posted on weverse one by one. Probably to calm the fans. But I'm lwk still restless and need answers. It's day damn 4 without Heeseung. I'm going crazy.
Anyway, this is just a pinch of my thoughts. And you don't need to take it to heart. It is just my speculations. So yeah. I miss him :( I wish we could hear from him.
if heeseung came and clarified rn that this was partly because of all of his struggles with sasaengs and safety and that reevaluating the current state of his career would help then I'd at least have peace of mind that this was the best hybelift could do for him. if not, imma need my man rm to step up and save the industry for all idols that struggle with balancing corporate decisions and artistic ones.
there's clearly something happening industry wide that starting to collapse harder than ever. it just seems like corporate greed is permeating everything from packed schedules to an artist's personal decisions. i hope that heeseung was able to tell his members with time to process this, that their company gave them that privilege to say goodbye without an abrupt broken heart. if heeseung really isn't or can't come back to enhypen, then I hope we get a more concrete explanation that makes sense because there's some language used in the announcement that doesn't match up with what heeseung was allowed to share with engene.
if heeseung came and clarified rn that this was partly because of all of his struggles with sasaengs and safety and that reevaluating the current state of his career would help then I'd at least have peace of mind that this was the best hybelift could do for him. if not, imma need my man rm to step up and save the industry for all idols that struggle with balancing corporate decisions and artistic ones.
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