Rowoon's recent announcement of his departure from SF9 has left fans with mixed feelings.

On the 18th, Rowoon officially confirmed his exit from the group. FNC Entertainment, the group's agency, stated, "SF9 will move forward as an eight-member group. Rowoon will focus on individual activities, including acting. While our paths in terms of activities might differ, we will always support Rowoon as the ninth member."

Through a handwritten letter, Rowoon shared his feelings about the departure. He expressed, "As I continued my activities and took on new challenges, I became stricter with myself. There were times I felt frustrated that I couldn't clarify every misunderstanding. I believed that my sincerity would be conveyed someday and focused on the tasks at hand." He added, "I understand that with love and support, there can also be hate. I guess I'm a bit sensitive. I've always tried to hide when misunderstandings arose. If any fans felt hurt or disappointed by my careless attitude, I sincerely apologize."

He continued, "I've been grateful for every moment during the past seven years. Now, at 27, I want to take on new challenges," asking for continued support and interest.

However, Rowoon's sudden departure news shook the fandom. Even the group's leader, Youngbin, who's currently serving in the military, stepped in to console the fans. He conveyed, "I worry that the fans might be more hurt. I've had many conversations with Rowoon. It's a mix of emotions thinking about the past seven years and the current feelings. But as always, I intend to support Rowoon's future."

Yet, opinions about Rowoon remain divided.

Some fans criticized Rowoon's recent actions. Coincidentally, as Rowoon's acting career took off, his participation in SF9 activities decreased. In 2020, he cited a herniated disc as a reason for not participating in both acting and group activities. In July of the same year, he was absent from SF9's album 'The Wave of Nine' promotions due to drama filming. He was also notably absent from fan events. Particularly, his decision not to participate in the upcoming October fan concert, which marks SF9's 7th debut anniversary and the return of members Youngbin and Inseong from the military, sparked significant fan disappointment.

Furthermore, while fellow member Chani prioritized SF9's appearance on Mnet's 'Kingdom: Legendary War' over his lead role in a drama, Rowoon only participated in select stages due to his drama filming. Fans have expressed their disappointment with comments like "He's negligent," "He's caught the actor bug," and "He's been a burden to the team." Many were also disappointed by the lack of mention of SF9 in his final letter.

On the other hand, there's undeniable support for Rowoon. His acting endeavors since SF9's early days undeniably boosted the group's recognition. Starting with 'School 2017' in 2017, he built his acting career with roles in 'Where Stars Land', 'Extraordinary You', 'Yeonmo', 'Tomorrow', and 'This Romance is a Bonus Book', all of which positively impacted SF9. Many fans are supporting his new challenges after his seven-year journey.

Regardless, Rowoon now walks a path separate from SF9. Overturning the negative public opinion will be part of his journey ahead.

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