On April 29, C9 Entertainment confirmed CIX’s disbandment. The group would conclude activities as member contracts expire after discussions about the members’ futures. Just a day later, Seunghun shared a handwritten letter on Instagram announcing that he is retiring from the entertainment industry.
In the letter, the CIX vocalist thanked fans. He also admitted he had been struggling for a while. Seunghun apologized if he seemed distant, saying it was never because his feelings for fans changed. But he no longer had the peace of mind to approach them as freely as before.
Seunghun’s journey in K-pop is an example of never giving up. He entered Cube in the 4th grade, training for roughly six years. He grew up alongside members of groups like PENTAGON and (G)I-DLE. In 2016, he became a core member of the “Silver Boys,” which is a famous group of high-tier trainees.
He first appeared on the Stray Kids Survival Show during a JYP vs. YG trainee battle, where J.Y. Park himself praised him for having “flawless” skills. Later in 2018, he competed in the reality show YG Treasure Box. Even though he was a talented singer, he didn’t make it into the Treasure.
Instead of quitting, Seunghun kept moving. In 2019, he debuted as the lead singer of the group CIX. Now, that long journey is closing with a personal decision.
As of May 1, fans across social media are expressing sadness about both the group’s disbandment and Seunghun’s retirement. Some fans are also pointing to the pressure idols face and the emotional toll that can come with sudden endings.
