The Seven Are Now Six: Heeseung bids ENHYPEN farewell

BELIFT LAB confirmed on March 10 that Lee Heeseung , the eldest member and lead vocalist of the K-pop boy band ENHYPEN known for hits such as “Given-Taken,” “Drunk-Dazed,” “FEVER,” and “Bite Me” is departing the group to pursue a solo career, marking the first lineup change since the group’s 2020 debut. Heeseung will remain signed to the label, with a solo album already in preparation, though its title has not yet been revealed, while ENHYPEN will continue promoting as a six-member act .

The decision followed lengthy internal discussions about individual artistic directions. In a Weverse letter, Heeseung acknowledged having developed personal projects for years but said he had not wanted to prioritize his ambitions over the team. The remaining members Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki released a joint statement expressing full support for his path forward.

The announcement drew an immediate and intense global response from ENGENEs, ENHYPEN's fandom. Petitions gathered over a million signatures urging BELIFT LAB to reconsider, with many fans pointing to HYBE artists like TXT's Yeonjun as proof that solo and group activities can coexist. Protest trucks circled HYBE headquarters in Seoul as fan hashtags calling for the original seven-member lineup trended worldwide. The agency stood firm, stating that a clean separation best served both Heeseung's growth and the group's long-term direction.

No details on Heeseung's solo debut timeline or concept have been announced. ENHYPEN, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with a 2026 world tour under their new configuration.

The split marks a defining moment for one of K-pop's leading fourth-generation groups, raising questions about both Heeseung's solo trajectory and how ENHYPEN rebuilds its identity going forward.