Heeseung to Leave ENHYPEN, Group to Continue as Six Members

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Heeseung, a founding member of the K-pop group ENHYPEN, will depart the group, their agency BELIFT LAB announced Tuesday.

The announcement was made in a statement posted across the group's official channels. BELIFT LAB said the decision followed extensive discussions about the group's future direction and Heeseung's individual musical goals.

"Through in-depth discussions with each of the members about the future they envision and the direction of the team, it became clear that Heeseung has his own distinct musical vision," BELIFT LAB said.

The company confirmed Heeseung will remain signed to the label as he prepares to launch a solo career. BELIFT LAB said the decision was reached after a long period of deliberation among the artist, the group and management.

ENHYPEN will continue as a six-member group: Jake, Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki. No specific plans for future releases or tours were announced.

Heeseung addressed fans, known as ENGENE, following the announcement.

"Thanks to the members with whom I shared countless emotions, and to ENGENE, who always filled every empty space with their support, I was able to take step after step toward a dream that once felt out of reach," he wrote. "I am working hard on an album so I can meet you all again soon."

Heeseung debuted with ENHYPEN in November 2020 after appearing on the survival audition program "I-LAND." The group launched its career with the release of "Border: Day One" and quickly gained an international fanbase through subsequent releases and global tours.

Heeseung's departure marks the first lineup change for ENHYPEN since its debut.