On February 21, SM Entertainment held their SMTOWN LIVE 2024 SMCU PALACE concert at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Several artists under the label took part in the concert, including H.O.T.’s Kangta, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, aespa, and RIIZE, as well as the debut showcase for NCT WISH.
As one of SM Entertainment’s newest artists, RIIZE put on great performances of songs such as “Get A Guitar”, “Talk Saxy”, “Love 119”, and “Siren”, and even performed alongside TVXQ with “Rising Sun”.
There were some indications during their performance, though, that really caught fans’ attention in regard to their member currently on hiatus, Seunghan. According to those in attendance, the members only lip synced to his parts in songs rather than covering his parts themselves. This makes some believe that he is still set to return to the group, perhaps sooner rather than later.
Additionally, there were evident spots left open for Seunghan in their choreography, such as this ending position for “Get A Guitar”.
SM Entertainment hasn’t made any recent announcements regarding Seunghan’s status with the group or the label, but these kinds of behaviors from the active members have many fans convinced that he’s planning on coming back to RIIZE rather than leaving them or the label.
We’ll just have to wait and see whether their beliefs end up being true!