Author: Abby Graham
Since SHOTARO and SUNGCHAN left NCT in May 2023, many fans were upset because they were both extremely talented and needed to be recognized as such. Well, just a few seconds later, it was announced that the 2 boys would be debuting in a new group formed under the same company. RIIZE is a 7-member group that debuted on September 4th, 2023 and was formed under SM Entertainment. The members consist of: SHOTARO, EUNSEOK, SUNGCHAN, WONBIN, SEUNGHAN, SOHEE, and ANTON however, SM announced that SEUNGHAN would be taking a break from the group’s activities due to a pre-debut scandal. Now, I will never say anything negative about this group!! Everything they do is perfect and if anyone disagrees with me, I will meet you in an alleyway to work things out. Before their debut, they dropped a short snippet of the now-released song, “Siren”. This was an immediate hit since it showed off the group’s dance abilities, specifically SHOTARO and WONBINs. Since then, the group has released some of the best songs my ears have ever heard like, “Get a Guitar,” “Talk Saxy,” and “Love 119” and now they have released a full version of “Siren” as well as a new song, “Impossible”.
On April 18th, 2024, RIIZE released a mini single with “Siren,” and “Impossible”. Many fans were excited to finally be able to stream “Siren” legally, however, many were also upset because SM Entertainment had another member sing over SEUNGHAN’s part. But alas, the song is still just as cool as it was when the short version (that announced the group’s debut) was released on August 7th, 2023. This song has everything one needs to survive: Siren noises, yelling, whispering and amazing choreography (credited down below). The opening verse, sung by SUNGCHAN states that RIIZE is, “Back with a new generation” which signals that the 4th gen era is over, welcoming the 5th gen to set new trends, with harder choreography, and frighteningly younger idols. Their video also consists of the usual K-Pop group video props: A truck, a chair, and who can forget about the chandeliers. They also spend most of the video either griddy-ing or jumping off of said truck and chairs. Yet, I still cannot dislike this video at all. The members have shown just how talented they are from the very beginning, all while giving justice to SHOTARO and SUNGCHAN. Although there is no music video for the full song, it is okay because everyone misses SEUNGHAN, and wishes SM Entertainment would bring him out of hiatus and back into the group’s activities. He deserves it.
Now, onto “Impossible”! This song has a funky fresh summer vibe to it that feels a lot like you are walking out of the theater while the end credits of an animated movie blast. I love it! The music video (credited down below) has all of the members dancing in a train station and on a beach. This video emphasizes once again that all the RIIZE members are dancers. Yeah, they can sing and rap very well, but the dancing in this video is astounding. One member, SHOTARO, even surprises fans with a dance break that captures just how insanely cool the whole group is. However, it is not a RIIZE music video until one of the members is shirtless, and thankfully, SUNGCHAN takes that role. The outfits are very effortless Corbin Bleu chic, filled with oversized pants, crop tops, studded belts, tank tops, and one member wearing a full denim outfit… The member that stands out for me would be EUNSEOK. Though I am SHOTARO biased, EUNSEOKs visuals shined through and proved that he is just as beautiful and talented as the other members and definitely made me think twice about who my bias was. ANTON, the maknae (youngest member) also biased-wrecked me a bit. He is extremely tall so he stood out in that sense, but he also provided vocals to the track that added so much energy to the song. Same with SOHEE, it was a nice mix to hear the vocal line provide a smooth base that allowed the other members’ rapping skills to shine.
RIIZE is now going on tour and is also getting the recognition they finally deserve. There is no physical album for this single, but you can still stream both on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. So, if you have 5 minutes of free time, or need a good song to listen to when walking, give RIIZE a chance. Also, remember to stream their other songs such as: “Love 119,” “Talk Saxy,” and “Get a Guitar”. You won’t regret it. The only thing I ask, no, the only thing I beg is for SEUNGHAN to come back and perform with the group. No one should be put on hiatus because they kissed a girl. Free my man! RIIZE IS SEVEN.
Abby Graham| KXSU Music & Arts Reporter