K-pop fans were stunned on March 10 after it was announced that Lee Heeseung, a founding member of the boy group ENHYPEN, will officially depart from the group to pursue a solo career. The announcement was made by the group’s agency Belift Lab, which confirmed that ENHYPEN will continue promotions as a six-member group.
Heeseung, widely known as the group’s main vocalist and one of its most recognizable members, debuted with ENHYPEN in 2020 after participating in the survival show I-LAND. Since then, the group has built a massive international fanbase and achieved significant global success.
Agency Statement on the Departure
In an official statement shared on the fan platform Weverse, Belift Lab explained that the decision followed extensive discussions with the members about the group’s future direction. According to the agency, these conversations revealed that Heeseung had a distinct musical vision he wanted to explore individually.
The company confirmed that while Heeseung will no longer participate in ENHYPEN’s group activities, he will remain signed to Belift Lab and is currently preparing to launch music as a solo artist.
Emotional Message to Fans
Following the announcement, Heeseung addressed fans in a heartfelt message, thanking them for their unwavering support over the years. He acknowledged that the news may come as a surprise and expressed gratitude to the group’s fandom, ENGENE, for standing by him throughout his journey.
He also shared that he is looking forward to continuing his musical path while keeping the love and memories from his time in ENHYPEN close to his heart.
ENHYPEN to Continue as Six Members
Despite the major change, ENHYPEN will continue activities with the remaining six members: Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-Ki. The group is expected to move forward with upcoming promotions while supporting Heeseung in his new chapter as a solo artist.
The news has sparked strong reactions across the K-pop community, with fans expressing both sadness over his departure and excitement for what lies ahead in his solo career.
