SM Entertainment
In a highly-anticipated debut, SM Entertainment introduced Riize, a seven-member K-pop boy group, on Monday. The group marks SM Entertainment's first boy group launch in seven years and is produced by SM Wizard Production, a subsidiary responsible for managing renowned boy bands like Super Junior and EXO.
The name "Riize" is a fusion of "rise" and "realize," symbolizing the group's commitment to realizing dreams through continuous growth. Lee Sang-min, director of SM Wizard Production, shared this sentiment during a press conference in Seoul.
Riize is composed of talented members, including Seunghan, Wonbin, Sohee, Anton, Shotaro, Eunseok, and Sungchan. Notably, some of these members have already made brief appearances in the media before their official debut: Anton is the son of Korean music producer Yoon Sang, while Shotaro and Sungchan are former members of NCT U.
What sets Riize apart is their mission to introduce a unique music genre called "emotional pop." Kim Hyung-kook, another director of SM Wizard Production, explained that this genre aims to convey the diverse experiences and emotions the members face and feel through their music.
SM Entertainment's innovative approach includes real-time sharing of the group's journey through their official Instagram account even before their debut. This strategy proved to be incredibly successful, as their debut album, "Get A Guitar," garnered 1.03 million preorders, instantly positioning Riize as a million-seller upon their debut. Their popularity has also attracted interest from various brands for advertising campaigns.
In addition to their domestic activities, SM Entertainment has ambitious plans to expand Riize's reach internationally. The agency recently signed a label contract with RCA Records, one of Sony Music's flagship labels, home to renowned artists such as Doja Cat, Justin Timberlake, and Khalid. This partnership suggests that Riize's debut single, "Get A Guitar," is likely to be released in the United States as well.
"Get A Guitar," the group's debut single, revolves around the theme of their time together as trainees. The album, which includes the title track "Get A Guitar" and the pre-release single "Memories," showcases a wide range of emotions.
Wonbin, one of the members, highlighted the infectious appeal of the title track, especially the funky guitar rhythms and the repetitive chorus, making it incredibly catchy. The music video for the title track was filmed in Los Angeles, featuring scenes of group dancing, guitar playing, and skateboarding on guitar-shaped boards.
During the press conference, Riize performed their title track, showcasing their precise choreography and captivating duo and trio dance sections. The group emphasized that they are not only skilled performers but also talented musicians.
"I've been playing the guitar since elementary school. It started as a hobby, but I received professional training after joining SM," shared Wonbin. Anton expressed his aspirations for music composition, stating that he is currently learning music composition and hopes to create music for the group in the future.
Riize's busy schedule includes the release of new singles in November and December, as well as a new album in the first quarter of the coming year. The group expressed their gratitude for the support and love they have received, both in Korea and internationally, vowing to continue delivering exceptional performances and music that resonates with their growing fanbase. Sohee concluded, "We hope many people can relate to our music, and we look forward to more opportunities to connect with our fans."
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