RIIZE Marks Third Anniversary: "We Love the Stage More Than We Thought"

RIIZE marked its third debut anniversary Sept. 4, reflecting on three years of growth and the bond the members have built with one another and their fans. Since debuting in 2023, the group has released hits including "Get A Guitar," "Love 119," "Boom Boom Bass" and "Fly Up," while expanding its presence internationally.

This year, RIIZE completed its first world tour, drawing a combined 420,000 concertgoers across 21 regions, and earned its fourth million-selling album with its latest EP released in June. Lead single "Do Your Dance" also spent three consecutive weeks on Mediabase's Top 40 radio chart in the United States.

The following is a Q&A with RIIZE regarding its third debut anniversary, as provided by SM Entertainment.

Q. How does it feel to celebrate your third debut anniversary?

Shotaro: Every promotion has been meaningful and given me so many memories, so I consider the past three years very precious. There have been times when I've wondered whether I'm doing well or heading in the right direction, and I'm grateful to BRIIZE for always giving me confidence and guiding me in a positive direction. I'll keep working hard for both BRIIZE and myself.

Eunseok: It still doesn't quite feel real. More than anything, I'm thankful to BRIIZE for staying by our side and supporting us all this time. We've been able to come this far because of your love.

Sungchan: I'm grateful that we've accumulated so many memories together as RIIZE and BRIIZE. Both the good and difficult moments I've shared with the members and BRIIZE have made me who I am today. I want to continue cherishing every moment as we move forward.

Wonbin: I think we've become much closer after sharing so many memories and emotions with BRIIZE. There are still so many things we haven't said or shown you yet, so I hope BRIIZE will walk with us until the end of RIIZE's journey and hear all of our stories.

Sohee: Every time our debut anniversary comes around, I become even more determined. I want to make every day count.

Anton: When I think about who I was three years ago, I feel like I've changed a lot, but at the same time, the most important things haven't really changed. Growth has always been my goal, and it still is. I've also realized how far I still have to go. As time passes, though, I think I'm learning more about what kind of life I want to live, what kind of person I want to become and what I want to experience.

Q. Compared with a year ago, where do you think you've grown the most, or what have you newly discovered about yourself?

Shotaro: Through concerts and festivals, I think I've become better at bringing the energy I have inside out onto the stage. Also, even though my MBTI is "E," I've realized that lately I can be a little more "I" when I'm talking to people I don't know!

Eunseok: I've become more comfortable onstage. Instead of only focusing on doing everything exactly as planned, I've learned to enjoy and stay present in the moment. I still have areas to improve, but I can feel myself continuing to grow as a performer.

Sungchan: I've learned to slow down and look at what's around me. Rather than thinking only about doing well, I now value the process of working together with the members. I also realized that I enjoy taking on new challenges more than I thought. I don't want to stay with what's familiar, and I want to keep showing new sides of myself.

Wonbin: I think I've become better at handling unexpected situations. Rehearsals and actual stages are always different, so when something goes wrong, I've gotten quicker and clearer about figuring out how to deal with it and move forward.

Sohee: I realized that I love being onstage even more than I thought I did.

Anton: I'd like to think I've grown in every area, although growth is something that never really ends. Compared with a year ago, I think I've become a little more mature and responsible while continuing to work toward my dreams.

Q. What is your mindset heading toward RIIZE's fourth anniversary, and are there any personal goals you want to achieve?

Shotaro: I want to participate in creating a performance that people remember by my name, study English harder so I can communicate better with BRIIZE and continue creating my own content whenever possible.

Eunseok: My goal is to meet more fans on even bigger stages. I don't want to become easily satisfied or settle into what's familiar. I'll keep moving forward and work hard so that we can receive even more love through better music and performances next year.

Sungchan: Personally, I want to improve enough that people watching our performances can think, "Sungchan has really grown." My biggest goal is also to give BRIIZE, who wait for us, performances that leave no regrets wherever we go.

Wonbin: As the years add up, I do feel more responsibility, but I believe RIIZE will continue to do even better. We've been so busy that I haven't had many opportunities to show who I am outside the stage, so I'd like to show more of myself as a person.

Sohee: By our fourth anniversary, I hope RIIZE can meet even more people at bigger venues. To make that happen, I'll have to become even more determined and keep moving forward.

Anton: To myself a year from now, I wonder what will have happened by then. I hope you're healthy in both body and mind and standing a little closer to your dreams. I believe in destiny, but since we only get one life, I want to live without regrets through the choices I make rather than simply following where destiny takes me.