‘Stop blaming me’: Producer El Capitxn criticizes ENHYPEN fans after Heeseung exit

K-pop producer El Capitxn found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after responding angrily to ENHYPEN fans who blamed him following Heeseung’s sudden departure from the group.

El Capitxn — whose real name is Jang Yi-jeong — posted a message Thursday on his personal social media account telling fans to stop sending him messages about Heeseung. The post included explicit language as he criticized those directing blame at him.

“Stop sending me stuff about Lee Heeseung. The kid can mess up sometimes. If you’re real fans, you should hug him before throwing stones,” he said. “Why do you keep blaming me?”

The message quickly spread online, drawing intense reactions from ENHYPEN fans.

Speculation has emerged among some fans that El Capitxn may have influenced the circumstances surrounding Heeseung’s departure because of their previously known friendship. Some online users even accused the producer of encouraging what they described as “artist syndrome,” fueling the controversy.

El Capitxn and Heeseung have worked together musically in the past. Both were credited for lyrics and composition on ENHYPEN’s 2024 full-length album track “Highway 1009.”

El Capitxn / Captured from his social media

Following the viral post, fans flooded the producer’s account with criticism. One commenter wrote, “If there were no fans, Lee Heeseung would never have debuted. Why can’t you understand that? Fans always come first.”

El Capitxn responded bluntly: “Without Lee Heeseung, there would be no fans.”

The exchange escalated into a heated back-and-forth before the producer updated his original post, telling critics to “go play on Twitter.” He later closed the comment section on the post.

The controversy comes after Heeseung’s abrupt departure from ENHYPEN was announced Tuesday. The group has since reorganized as a six-member act consisting of Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-ki.

Heeseung is expected to pursue activities as a solo artist.

The day the news broke, Heeseung posted a handwritten letter on the fan community platform Weverse addressing the change. In the message, he thanked fellow members and fans, known collectively as ENGENE, for supporting his journey.

“Because of the members who shared countless emotions with me, and because of ENGENE who always filled every empty space, I was able to move step by step toward a dream that once felt unreachable,” he wrote.

“I’m working hard to prepare an album so I can meet you again soon,” he added.

El Capitxn debuted in the boy band History in 2013. In 2018, he founded the K-pop production team Vendors and has since produced songs for artists including ENHYPEN, tripleS and ZEROBASEONE. He currently works as a producer under BigHit Music.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.