INTERVIEW

RIIZE

Pre-order RIIZE's Magazine Cover Here.

Alice Gee | 26/06/2026

Few groups have embodied the spirit of K-pop’s new generation quite like RIIZE. Since their debut in 2023, the band SHOTARO, EUNSEOK, SUNGCHAN, WONBIN, SOHEE and ANTON, have carved out a distinct identity, authenticity and a sound that has defined the genre of ‘emotional pop’, mixing honest storytelling with their real-life experiences and emotions that resonate across their fan base. Their ambition and fusion between ‘Rise’ and ‘Realize’ have rapidly turned their dreams into achievements on a global scale. Now entering a new pivotal moment with their second mini album, it’s arguably their sharpest and most finely honed body of work to date. More assured and bursting with energy, the group are embracing the present moment, ready to push new limits.

A: What has influenced and informed such a strong, vibrant musical identity?

ANTON: One of the biggest things we focused on with this album was finding a way to bring different sounds together while still making them feel true to RIIZE. Since our debut, we’ve always challenged ourselves with new styles and genres, and “II” felt like an opportunity to take that even further. We wanted the album to carry everything we’ve learned and experienced so far, but also feel like the beginning of a new chapter for RIIZE.

EUNSEOK: We always try to put our own stories and emotions into our music, and I think that’s what “Emotional Pop” means to us. A lot of that comes from our experiences performing, whether it’s on tour or at festivals. Since our debut, we’ve had so many chances to meet fans around the world, and every moment stays with us - seeing them from the stage, making eye contact, hearing them sing along. Those memories are really precious to us. I think all those moments of connecting with people through music and performance have helped shape who we are as artists.

A: How have your influences for your second mini album differed from when creating your debut?

SHOTARO: A lot has changed since our debut. Back then, we hadn’t really performed in front of fans yet, so we could only imagine what it would feel like to enjoy a stage together with them. But while we were preparing this album, we were also reaching the end of our first world tour, RIIZING LOUD. So as soon as we heard the songs, we naturally started imagining how each one would work on stage. For example, I thought “D-D-Done” would be great for festivals, and “Overdrive” would sound amazing somewhere with huge speakers. The members and I also talked about which song would feel right as the opening track for the concert.

A: How did your single “FAME” at the time chronicle your real-time growth and the experiences you were having?

WONBIN: Since our debut, we’ve continued to show RIIZE growing and realising ourselves through different sounds, concepts, and performances. With “FAME,” I think we focused more on that process of growth and on the inner stories each of us had at the time. It wasn’t just about the energy people see on stage, but also the RIIZE behind the scenes — the side of us that was thinking, reflecting, and trying to move forward to the next step.

A: "II" feels like your most confident project yet. What do you think has changed most about RIIZE since your debut that made this album possible?

SUNGCHAN: Since we made this album after wrapping up our first world tour, I think we naturally felt how much we had grown, even without realising it. When I was recording, I found myself thinking more about what kind of tone would fit each song, and I would imagine how it might feel when we performed it on stage.

ANTON: I think our mindset has changed a lot. It’s not just me - all of the members have become more comfortable speaking up and sharing our opinions. Whether we’re recording, practising choreography, or filming content, we’ll ask the staff things like, “What if we tried it this way?” or “Would this direction work better?” And as we’ve gained more experience, I also feel like I’ve gotten closer to our fans. So when new content comes out, I feel more comfortable asking them what they thought or what they liked. I think that whole process helped us bring more of RIIZE’s own colour and confidence into this album.

EUNSEOK: I think the biggest change is that RIIZE’s colour has become much clearer since our debut, and we’ve grown more comfortable making different styles feel like us. One of my favourite songs on the album, “In a Loop,” is a good example. I loved the demo from the beginning, but once the members’ voices came in, it became something with a completely different mood and charm. That kind of growth played a big role in making this album as diverse as it is, while still feeling very RIIZE.

A: What was the creative vision behind the sound of "II"?

ANTON: To me, “II” is about movement. Up until now, RIIZE has shown a lot of the thoughts and emotions that come with growing and realising ourselves, but with this album, I think people will see RIIZE putting those thoughts into action. We wanted the album to feel like the start of a new journey — one where RIIZE is moving higher and going further.

SHOTARO: If I were to describe the sound of this album as a colour, I’d say sky blue. Each track has its own charm, but overall, there’s a bright and refreshing energy that really suits the summer. I think that’s one of the defining qualities of this album — it feels like something you’d want to listen to while looking up at the summer sky, but expressed in RIIZE’s own colour.

SOHEE: More than anything, I think this album was about having fun with it. From the moment we first heard the songs to the whole preparation process, we tried to keep that playful, excited energy with us, and I hope you can hear that in the music. Even years from now, I think I’ll remember this album as something really fun and joyful, and I hope listeners feel that too.

A: Which track on the album best represents who RIIZE is today, and why?

SHOTARO: There’s a lyric in the title track ‘Do your dance’ that says, “Like a pro,” and I think that really sums up this album. To me, this album shows RIIZE’s confidence, but it also gives that confidence back to the people listening. You don’t have to be a pro at something to have a pro mindset - sometimes it just means being able to enjoy a challenge and keep going, even when things get difficult. More than anything, this song captures us living in the moment and having fun with it, which feels really true to the whole spirit of the album.

WONBIN: The band sound and lyrics of “SOAR” felt very true to RIIZE. A lot of our songs have always been driven by strong instrumental sounds, and vocally, this kind of energy fits summer really well. That’s why it felt like the perfect opening track for the album. There’s a lyric that says, “I’m not even afraid of falling,” and I think that line really captures RIIZE’s story.

A: RIIZE has now made history at several international festivals. Are there any dream festivals or stages still on your bucket list?

WONBIN: I’d love to do a stadium tour someday. Every venue brings a different kind of energy to the stage, and I really want to experience the thrill that comes from performing on a stadium scale.

ANTON: One goal I’ve talked about since our debut is performing at a stadium in New Jersey, where I grew up. But honestly, every festival and stage we’ve done so far has been so much fun. Festivals have a different kind of charm from solo concerts because not everyone there may be our fan yet. That actually makes it exciting in its own way. So rather than choosing just one specific stage, I hope we can keep performing at many different festivals and venues in the future.

A: Your music and social media presence often feel candid and genuine. How important is authenticity in connecting with fans today?

WONBIN: I think we try to show more of our real selves so fans can feel closer to us. Being a fan means living in this cycle of waiting and excitement, and we know our fans are always there for us. So we want to give that love back by showing up often and staying connected with them.

SUNGCHAN: I think sincerity matters more than anything. We want to be with our fans for a long time, almost like friends or family, so it’s important for us to be real with them. Not forcing anything, not trying to look perfect - just showing who we are and putting our whole heart into it.

A: Is there a lyric or moment on the album that feels especially meaningful to you?

SHOTARO: There’s a dance break at the end of the title track “Do your dance,” and I think it’s one of the key moments of the performance. The music suddenly shifts, the whole mood changes, and the energy keeps building before the fireworks go off behind us in the music video. That scene, where all the members are dancing together, really captures RIIZE’s explosive energy. It’s also a moment where we’re literally showing what it means to “dance like a pro.”

SOHEE: In “SOAR,” there’s a lyric in WONBIN’s part that says, “I’m not even afraid of falling, SOAR.” Since WONBIN is actually afraid of heights, hearing him sing that line made it feel even more powerful to me. That feeling of overcoming fear and continuing to move forward really fits the message of this album. I also get a lot of confidence from singing this song.

A: The last few years have been incredibly busy and successful for the group. How do you look after your mental well-being during such demanding periods?

SHOTARO: Over the years, I’ve realised that it’s not always about doing everything exactly as planned. What really reaches the audience is when I enjoy the stage in my own way and let that energy come through. The more time I spend on stage, the more I feel that. So for this promotion, I’m trying to focus as much as possible on just enjoying every moment.
When I’m having trouble focusing or feeling really nervous, I’ll put in my earphones, listen to music I like, and try to get back into my own rhythm. I think making time to enjoy things and focus on myself like that is one way I take care of my mental well-being.

SOHEE: Since we’ve spent so much time together, I think I’ve picked up a lot of good things from the members. For example, EUNSEOK is always really calm and collected, and that’s something I really admire and want to learn from. When things get busy or overwhelming, just being around the members helps me stay grounded. The good energy we give each other really helps.

A: How has being part of RIIZE together taught you anything about resilience or self-care, and being able to rally around each other? Especially with the theme of fearless determination written about in “SOAR”?

SUNGCHAN: There are definitely moments when the nerves hit us, especially before performing at huge venues like Tokyo Dome. When that happens, we try to bring each other back to centre. We’ll say things like, “Let’s just go out there and have fun,” or “We’ve done this so many times; let’s trust ourselves and show them what we do.” I think that’s very connected to the message of “SOAR”: even when there’s fear or pressure, we keep moving forward together.

EUNSEOK: I think BRIIZE are the biggest reason we’re able to keep going. They’re always there for us, and when things feel difficult or uncertain, thinking about our members and our fans gives me the strength to move forward again. We want to keep meeting BRIIZE in more places and become a team that people remember for a long time through our music.

A: This album feels like it's about embracing the present moment and moving forward with confidence. What has helped each of you become more comfortable living in the moment rather than worrying about what's next?

SUNGCHAN: As SHOTARO mentioned, the more experience we gain, the more I realise that enjoying the moment is more important than trying to be perfect. Even when we’re filming content, we try to show who we really are instead of overthinking or forcing anything. Of course, I still want to do well, and I still get nervous, but now I’m learning to see that nervousness as a fun kind of excitement. In the end, I think all the experiences we’ve built together as members have helped me focus more comfortably on the present instead of worrying too much about what comes next.

A: "Do your dance" encourages people to move to their own rhythm and own the moment. What message do you hope young listeners take away from that idea?

EUNSEOK: It’s a song that works anytime, anywhere, but I especially recommend listening to it when you need a big boost of confidence or when you just want to forget your worries and have fun.

SOHEE: Don’t overthink it too much - just feel RIIZE, enjoy the music, and have fun with us in the moment! To me, being a pro is really about confidence. If you have the confidence to own the moment, then you’re already a pro — and I hope “Do your dance” gives you that extra boost.

Watch 'Do Your Dance' Here.

Listen to 'II' Mini album Here.

Photography SM Entertainment