ENHYPEN’s eldest member is leaving the group.

Lee Heeseung, 24, will no longer be part of the Korean boy band group, his agency BELIFT LAB announced on March 10, 2026.

“BELIFT LAB has given much thought and consideration into ENHYPEN's future direction and 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 and we have decided to respect it,” the agency said. Their January 2026 EP The Sin: Vanish now stands as the group’s final release as a seven-member lineup.

BELIFT LAB acknowledged that it’s challenging to explain the full process in a brief announcement, but emphasized that the decision came after “extensive deliberation.” 

They recognized that fans may have mixed reactions but stressed that the choice was made with the future of both ENHYPEN and Heeseung in mind.

“We ask for ENGENE's continued love and support for ENHYPEN and HEESEUNG as they start a new chapter of their journey,” the agency concluded.

Following the announcement, Heeseung shared a personal message to fans on Weverse: "First of all, I think many ENGENEs must have been very surprised to hear this news. The six years I’ve spent… have been overwhelming and precious beyond words.

"Because of the members and ENGENEs, I was able to take step by step toward a dream that once felt impossible to reach. Those times will be one of the shining moments in my life that I will never forget. I want to continue being someone who supports ENHYPEN more than anyone else."

Heeseung also addressed the decision to leave the group: "While sharing the results of the work I’ve been doing with the company, we spent a long time discussing with many people about the best way to show it. After thinking about it for a long time, I made a big decision to approach ENGENEs in a better way, following the direction suggested by the company.

As you all know, I’ve continued working on my personal projects and spent a lot of time hoping that I would be able to show them to ENGENEs. There was so much I wanted to show you, but I also didn’t want to put my own ambitions first within the team.

I know well about your worries and the many things being said. I will work hard to prepare so that I can meet you again soon. My desire to come back and greet you with a better side is more sincere than anyone’s."

Heeseung reassured, "I will continue moving forward while keeping in my heart the great love that ENGENEs have given me all this time. Thank you, I love you."

Some fans have started online petitions asking for Heeseung to pursue solo activities without leaving ENHYPEN. While some petitions have reportedly gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures, these figures have not been verified by official sources.

Heeseung is expected to make his solo debut in the future as he prepares new music under the same agency.

ENHYPEN was created by Belift Lab through the 2020 survival reality show I-Land. The group continues as a six-member: Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-Ki.