Riize (Korean: 라이즈;RR: Raijeu; stylized inall caps; pronounced as "Rise") is a South Koreanboy band formed bySM Entertainment. The group consists of six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton. Originally a seven-piece ensemble,Seunghan departed from the group in October 2024. They debuted on September 4, 2023, with thesingle albumGet a Guitar.
Name
The group's name, Riize, is a name created by combining "Rise", which means "growth", and "Realize", which means "a team that grows together and realizes dreams".[2]
History
2020–2023: Pre-debut activities
Members Shotaro and Sungchan previously debuted in SM's boy group,NCT, being unveiled as part of the lineup in October 2020.[3] On July 1, 2022, SM Entertainment introduced Shohei, Eunseok, andSeunghan as part of theirSM Rookies lineup.[4] In November 2022, it was announced that they would star in the reality showWelcome to NCT Universe, hosted by Shotaro and Sungchan.[5][6]
The first mentions of SM's new boy group came on February 3, 2023, when SM released a video detailing the company's future plans withSM 3.0. In the video, they explained that the group would be debuting in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the project led by SM EntertainmentCOOTak Young-jun.[7]
On May 24, 2023, SM released a video regarding their future plans for the group, announcing that Shotaro and Sungchan would leave NCT to join the lineup and that Eunseok and Seunghan would be making their debut, and that Shohei would not be debuting.[8][9] On July 11, it was reported that the seven-member boy group were filming their debut music video for a projected September debut.[9][10] In response to media reports aboutYoon Sang's son Anton Lee joining the group, SM stated that they would begin revealing information about the group on August 1.[11] On July 31, SM confirmed that the group would debut as "Riize" in September.[12] On August 1, the member profiles of all seven members were revealed, alongside the group's Instagram.[13]
2023: Debut, "Talk Saxy", and Seunghan's hiatus
On August 7, 2023, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be making their debut on September 4 with the release of their first single album,Get a Guitar.[14] The album sold over a million copies in the first week of its release, earning the second most first-week sales of a rookie group's debut album.[15]
On August 19, Riize released theweb novelRise & Realize ahead of the group's debut, in collaboration withKakao Entertainment.[16] Ahead of its release, Riize performed "Memories" and "Siren" atKCON LA on August 20.[17] Riize released their pre-release single "Memories" on August 21.[18] On September 4, SM Entertainment announced that Riize had signed a contract withRCA Records for their promotion and activities in the United States.[19] At the debut showcase "Riizing Day: Riize Premiere", Riize announced their official fan club name to Sunz, which changes to Briize two days later due to potential negative interpretations of the name "Sunz."[20] On September 7, the group made their official broadcast debut onMnet'sM Countdown where they performed "Get a Guitar", "Memories", and "Siren".[21]
On October 22, it was announced that Riize would have their first comeback with the single "Talk Saxy" on October 27.[15]
Riize attending theW Korea "Love Your W" event in November 2023
On November 22, SM announced that Seunghan would be put on indefinite hiatus due to rumors surrounding him.[22] Due to this issue, SM said that they plan to submit a complaint to the police and are considering taking further legal measures against the leakers who are said to have spread false information to intentionally cause misunderstandings.[23]
2024–present: "Love 119", Japanese debut,Riizing, and Seunghan's departure
On January 5, 2024, Riize released their single "Love 119",[24][25] and achieved their firstmusic show win on January 18 episode ofMnet'sM Countdown, as well as January 21 episode ofSBS'Inkigayo.[26] The group also released a Japanese version of the single on January 24, which marked their Japanese debut.[27]
Riize released the full version of their pre-debut teaser "Siren" on April 3. The single is part of their first EPRiizing, which was released on June 17. They have released four more singles ahead of the EP's release; "Impossible" on April 18, and "9 Days", "Honestly", and "One Kiss" on April 29.[28] The group also announced the dates for their fan-con tourRiizing Day, with shows scheduled between May 4 to August 31 across 9 countries.[29][30]
On September 2, SM announced that Riize would be releasing their first repackage EPRiizing: Epilogue on September 4, 2024, along with its lead single "Combo". This date also marks the group's first debut anniversary.[31]
On October 11, SM confirmed that Seunghan would be returning to group activities, including the group's "next chapter", scheduled to begin in November. Seunghan had been on hiatus from group activities since November 2023 due to released photos and videos showing him in a bed with a woman and smoking a cigarette prior to his debut.[32] Two days after, amid backlash from South Korean fans,[33] SM announced that Seunghan would be leaving the group and that Riize would continue as a six-member ensemble.[34][35] The announcement was met with counter-backlash, mainly from international fans of the group, who criticized a perceived toxiccancel culture among South Korean fans[36] and organized boycotts of the group's music and merchandise, with many K-pop stores joining.[37]
Other ventures
Endorsements
On August 16, 2023, Riize was selected by the Korean online fashion store Musinsa as its new ambassador.[38] On August 25, domestic skincare brand UIQ selected Riize as its exclusive model.[39] On December 11, luxury fashion houseLouis Vuitton selected Riize as its house ambassadors.[40]
On March 25, 2024, the Korean cosmetics brandEtude House selected Riize as its new models for "Overglow Tint".[41] On April 18,The Coca-Cola Company's beverage brandFanta selected Riize as its new brand model.[42] In May, Riize has been selected as an ambassador for Nabati Richeese.[43]
On March 6, 2025, Riize was selected by the lifestyle brandNational Geographic Apparel as its 2025 spring campaign model.[44] On the same day, Riize became the brand ambassador for footwear brandCrocs in Japan.[45]
Philanthropy
On January 21, 2025, Riize donated₩100 million (US$87,416) to Walking with Us, a social welfare corporation that supports arts and culture programs for underprivileged children and youth, under the group's fanclub Briize.[46]
Public image
Riize was introduced as a group who focuses on "Emotional Pop" genre, a unique genre that expresses a variety of emotions through songs, which captures inspiration from everyday experiences in music.[2]
^ Hosted by the Hong Kong Asia Pacific International Group and Sunway Records, the Asian Pop Music Awards bases its winners on the "Asian Pop Music Chart" which opened in September 2019.[96]
Song chartings
^"Memories" did not enter theBillboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 69 on the Download Songs.[69]
^"Talk Saxy" did not enter theBillboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 69 on the Download Songs.[70]
^"Siren" did not enter theBillboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 44 on the Download Songs.[71]
Citations
^"Universal Music Japan - Artists".universal-music.co.jp (in Japanese). Universal Music LLC, Japan.Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2024.
^Ryu, Ji-yun (July 2, 2022)."승한·은석·쇼헤이, SM 루키즈 새 얼굴 떴다" [Seung-han, Eun-seok, and Shohei are the new faces of SM Rookies].Dailyan.Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. RetrievedAugust 8, 2023 – viaDaum.
^Kim, Young-jae (November 9, 2022)."SM루키즈, NCT와 함께 첫 리얼리티 도전" [First reality challenge with SM Rookies and NCT].TV Report (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 25, 2023 – viaNaver.
^abJung, Bit (July 30, 2023).[단독]SM 신인 보이그룹, 9월 데뷔...최강 5세대돌 '괴물 신인' 탄생 [[Exclusive] SM's new boy group debuts in September... Birth of the strongest 5th generation idol 'Monster Rookie'].Sports Chosun (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. RetrievedJuly 13, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (July 18, 2023)."윤상 아들 이찬영, 아이돌 데뷔하나...SM 측 "8월1일 신인그룹 공개"" [Yoon Sang's son Lee Chan Young to make idol debut...SM says "new group to be released on 1 August"].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. RetrievedAugust 8, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Na-young (August 5, 2023)."'SM 신인 그룹' 라이즈, 데뷔 전인데 K팝 그룹 최단 기록?...인스타 팔로워 100만 돌파" ['SM rookie group' Riize breaks record for fastest K-pop group to reach 1 million followers on Instagram before debut].MK Sports (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 4, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Seon-myeong (August 18, 2023)."'SM아들' 라이즈, 카카오와 협업...웹소설 출시" ['SM son' Riize, collaboration with Kakao... Web novel release].Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. RetrievedAugust 20, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (August 17, 2023)."SM 신인 라이즈, 데뷔 전 'KCON LA 2023' 쇼케이스 출격" [SM newcomer Riize to perform at 'KCON LA 2023' showcase before debut].Sm 신인 라이즈, 데뷔 전 'Kcon la 2023' 쇼케이스 출격 - 손에 잡히는 뉴스 눈에 보이는 뉴스 - 뉴스엔 (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. RetrievedAugust 28, 2023.
^Kim, Se-ah (August 7, 2023)."[공식] '어나더급' SM 신인 라이즈, 9월 4일 데뷔한다" [[Official] SM newcomer Riize to debut on 4 September as an 'underdog'].Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. RetrievedAugust 7, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Gong, Mina (September 7, 2023)."활동 시작 라이즈...은석, '음악중심' 스페셜 MC 나선다" [Riize's activity begins...Eunseok to MC 'Music Bank' Special].The Fact (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Ye-na (December 6, 2023).SM "라이즈, 1월 5일 컴백...많은 관심 부탁" [공식입장] [SM "RIIZE, January 5th comeback...Thank you very much for your interest" [Official Position]].Ilgan Sports (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. RetrievedDecember 7, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kang, Joo-hee (January 21, 2024).라이즈 '인기가요' 1위...음방 2관왕 달성 [Riize 'Inkigayo' 1st place...Achieved 2 music shows] (in Korean).Ilgan Sports.Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (January 19, 2024)."라이즈 'Love 119' 일본어 버전 나온다, 24일 발매" [Riize's 'Love 119' gets a Japanese version, releases on the 24th].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 19, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Choi, Hye-jin (March 5, 2024)."라이즈, 첫 팬콘 투어 'RIIZING DAY' 개최..톱티어 신인의 '열일' 행보" [RIIZE holds its first fan-con tour 'RIIZING DAY'...Top tier rookie's 'hard work'].Star News (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. RetrievedMarch 5, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Yoo, Ji-hye (September 2, 2024).라이즈, 데뷔 1주년 맞춰 4일 신곡 '콤보' 공개 [Riize to release new song 'Combo' on the 4th to mark 1st anniversary of debut] (in Korean).Sports Dong-a.Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 2, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Min-ji (October 13, 2024).라이즈 팬들 거센 반발 속 승한 탈퇴 결정, 복귀 발표 이틀만 [공식입장 전문] [Seunghan's decision to leave the group amid strong backlash from Rise fans, only two days after announcing his return [Full official statement]] (in Korean). Newsen. RetrievedOctober 13, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Koo, Eun-mo (August 16, 2023)."무신사, 신규 앰버서더로 SM 보이그룹 '라이즈' 선정" [Musinsa selects SM boy group 'Riize' as new ambassador].Asia Economy (in Korean). Archived fromthe original on August 20, 2023. RetrievedAugust 20, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (August 25, 2023)."SM 신인 라이즈, 화장품 모델 꿰찼다...데뷔 전부터 인기 폭발" [SM newcomer Riize gets a cosmetic modeling gig... Popular even before debut].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. RetrievedAugust 28, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Na-yeon (April 18, 2024).라이즈, 코카콜라 환타 모델 발탁[공식] [Riize selected as Coca-Cola's Fanta model [Official]] (in Korean).Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. RetrievedApril 19, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Moon, Wan-sik (January 21, 2025)."라이즈(RIIZE), 팬클럽 브리즈 이름으로 1억원 기부" [RIIZE donates 100 million won in the name of fanclub Briize] (in Korean). Star News. RetrievedJanuary 22, 2025 – viaNaver.
オリコン月間 アルバムランキング 2023年09月度 [Oricon Monthly Album Ranking September 2023].Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived fromthe original on October 11, 2023. RetrievedNovember 8, 2023.
オリコン月間 アルバムランキング 2023年10月度 [Oricon Monthly Album Ranking October 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived fromthe original on November 8, 2023. RetrievedNovember 8, 2023.
"Get a Guitar" and "Love 119":"Digital Chart – Week 4 of 2024".Circle Chart. January 21–27, 2024.Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. RetrievedFebruary 1, 2024.
"Get a Guitar":"Get a Guitar".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). September 13, 2023.Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 14, 2023.
"Love 119":"Love 119".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 17, 2024.Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 17, 2024.
"Love 119" (following Japanese version release):"Love 119".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 31, 2024.Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 31, 2024.
"Impossible":"Impossible".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). May 1, 2024.Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. RetrievedMay 1, 2024.
"Boom Boom Bass":"Boom Boom Bass".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 26, 2024.Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. RetrievedJune 26, 2024.
"Lucky":"Lucky".Billboard Japan (in Japanese). September 11, 2024.Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2024.
^オリコン月間 シングルランキング 2024年09月度 [Oricon Monthly Single Rankings September 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived fromthe original on October 9, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 8, 2025.
^Park, Dong-je (July 12, 2024).라이즈, 日 드라마 '얼굴에 먹칠을 하다' OST 'Same Key' 가창..14일 음원 공개 [Rise sings "Same Key" for the original soundtrack for Japanese dramaMakeup with Mud, released on the 14th].Break News (in Korean). RetrievedJuly 14, 2024.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 3, 2024)."뉴진스 이어 라이즈, 오늘(3일) 아이유 콘서트 게스트 뜬다" [After NewJeans, Riize is IU concert's guest appears today (3rd)].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. RetrievedMarch 3, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Da-gyeom (January 10, 2024).NCT 드림, '2023 써클차트' 디지털 앨범상...올해의 가수상은 20팀(종합) [NCT Dream won the '2023 Circle Chart' Digital Album Award... Singer of the Year Award goes to 20 teams (Comprehensive)] (in Korean).Maeil Gyeongje.Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 10, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Da-gyeom (January 10, 2024).NCT 드림, '2023 써클차트' 디지털 앨범상...올해의 가수상은 20팀(종합) [NCT Dream won the '2023 Circle Chart' Digital Album Award... Singer of the Year Award goes to 20 teams (Comprehensive)] (in Korean).Maeil Gyeongje.Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 10, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Myeong, Hee-suk (January 8, 2025).'제1회 디 어워즈', 인기상 투표 13일 시작...6개 부문 수상자 선정 ['The 1st D Awards' Popularity award voting start from the 13th...Winners selected in 6 categories].Xports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2025.
^라이즈 "올해, 많이 배우고 성장...감사한 기억들 많아" [동닷픽톡] [Rise: "This year, we've learned and grown a lot...We have a lot of grateful memories"].Sports Donga (in Korean). November 16, 2023.Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. RetrievedNovember 24, 2023.
^Yoon, Ki-baek (October 10, 2023)."세븐틴, '2023 TMA' 이견 없는 대상 [종합]" [Seventeen, '2023 TMA' an undisputed favorite [Full story]].Edaily.Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. RetrievedOctober 10, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Cho, Yeon-kyung (January 5, 2024).영웅시대와 함께...임영웅, 한터뮤직어워즈 후즈팬덤상 주인공 [With the Hero Generation...Lim Young-woong, The Hero of Hanteo Music Awards' WhosFandom Award] (in Korean). JTBC News.Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 8, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Kang, Ga-hee (February 16, 2025).[HMA 2024]“전혀 생각도 못해” (여자)아이들 대상 영예..라이즈는 3관왕(종합) [[HMA 2024] "I can't think of it at all" (G)I-DLE's honor... Riize won three awards (all-around)].Herald POP (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2025 – viaNaver.
^Han, Hae-jin (November 27, 2024).'한터뮤직어워즈 2024', '후즈팬덤상' 투표 시작..TOP 40 아티스트 발표 ['Hanteo Music Awards 2024' and 'Who's Fandom Awards' voting begins... Top 40 artists announced].Star News Korea (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2025.
^Kim, Yang-soo (January 9, 2024)."임영웅x남궁민→라이즈...'대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상' 52개 부문 선정" [Lim Young-woong x Namkoong Min → Riize... Selected in 52 categories of 'Korea First Brand Award'].Joy News 24 (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. RetrievedMay 3, 2024.
^Lee, Jae-hoon (February 6, 2025).단편선 순간들·에스파, '한국대중음악상' 6·5개 부문 후보 [Danpyunsun and the Moments Ensemble and Aespa, 6·5 Nominations for the 'Korean Music Awards'] (in Korean).Newsis.Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 6, 2025 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Kyung-ho (November 28, 2023)."라이즈, '페이보릿 뉴 아티스트' 수상.."SM, 팬들께 감사"[2023 MAMA]" [Riize wins 'Favorite New Artist' award..."Thank you SM and fans" [2023 MAMA]].Star News (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. RetrievedNovember 28, 2023.
^Jeong, Seung-min (December 2, 2023)."'올해의 신인' 라이즈 "생애 단 한 번이라 뜻깊어"(MMA 2023)" ['Rookie of the Year' Riize "It means a lot because it's once in a lifetime" (MMA 2023)].MHN Sports (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. RetrievedDecember 2, 2023.
^Jeong, Ha-eun (January 3, 2024).역사상 첫 해외 개최, 대상은 엔시티 드림 "2년 연속 수상 영광...시즈니 덕분"[제33회 서울가요대상] [Held overseas for the first time in history, the grand prize was awarded by NCT Dream "Honored to be awarded for the second year in a row...Thanks to Czennies" [The 33rd Seoul Music Awards]] (in Korean). Sports Seoul.Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2024 – viaNaver.
^"Seoul Music Awards – 모바일 투표 현황" [Seoul Music Awards – Mobile Voting Status].Seoul Music Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. RetrievedNovember 8, 2023.
