[Exclusive]Rise "Honored to share the stage with Yoon-a and IU... Lee Jun-young's main career feels new" [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with Rise, recipients of the 'AAA 2025' Grand Prize for Performance of the Year, Motive, and Best Artist

-Continuing from Interview ①.

-The 'Ember to Solar' and 'Fame' stages you presented at 'AAA 2025' at the time became a hot topic. The explosive energy and immersion on stage were impressive; is there a secret to Rise's unique performance style.

▶Eun-seok: This style of dance break is the first time since we were trainees. There were falls and many twists and turns, but thanks to Seong-chan and Anton supporting us, we were able to perform well.

▶Seong-chan: We prepared a dance break as a trump card for the 'AAA 2025' performance, and we had the opportunity to show it at concerts afterward. I remember being happy that we were able to present it again in front of our fans.

-Among the LINE-up attending 'AAA 2025', was there any actor, singer, or stage you really wanted to see.

▶Eun-seok: U-KISS senior Lee Jun-young. I was impressed by him as an actor after watching his acting works, so seeing him showcase his main career as a singer felt new and good. He performed hip-hop dance, and it was truly cool.

▶Anton: It was an honor and a pleasure to experience the atmosphere where singers and actors support each other at 'AAA 2025' for the first time.

▶Seong-chan: I had fun watching the drama 'I Was Fooled'. I was happy to meet senior IU at 'AAA 2025'. I remember her saying in her remarks, 'Although I won an award for an acting work, seeing singers on stage made me want to pursue my main career,' and 'It's amazing.' I look forward to and support senior IU's acting and her main career. Seon Bae-nim-i (수상)

▶So-hee: After the 'AAA 2025' awards ceremony, I went to do an interview and was able to meet senior Yoon-a. Even though it was a short time, she took good care of us and even took a photo with us; she was so beautiful. I never thought I would be at an awards ceremony with seniors, so it was even more amazing that I got to meet her in Kaohsiung.

-Since last year, you have been busy with various activities. Looking back on your activities so far, what part do the members feel they have grown the most in.

▶Won-bin: It seems that stage experience accounted for more than 80% of our activities, so I think we have become much more relaxed during performances. When we took the stage at 'Lollapalooza', it was a strange environment, and there were difficulties with language, so I was very worried. But as we faced it directly, we gradually adapted. As a result, I think we became more relaxed on stage, and I feel we have grown significantly in that aspect.

▶Anton: I attended the Songkran Festival in Thailand. It was an honor to take the stage as the headliner of the 'K2O Songkran Music Festival' for the first time. There was more water on stage than I expected, so I was worried at first, but I think I was able to adapt to the situation gradually and finish the stage well. I think I grew even more by experiencing various things.

▶Shotaro: Even when difficult situations or unexpected variables arise, I think we have learned to enjoy those moments as well. I feel that I have grown a lot in that aspect. Also, I think we will be able to show a more grown-up Rise in the performances that are to come. Of course, there were parts that were regrettable and areas that were lacking, but we kept thinking about it together as members and tried to move forward in a better direction. We are still preparing intensely to show even better stages and appearances.

-As you continued a long-term world tour, there must have been many moments where you relied on each other. Especially, if there is a member who was most supportive or whom you relied on the most, who is it.

▶Won-bin: I relied on everyone. Performing for about three hours is not easy, and thinking about doing it alone would be dizzying. I think it was possible because we had members.

-Rise concluded an approximately eight-month journey with the finale of the '2026 Rise Concert Tour 'Rising Loud' in Seoul' last March. At that time, Anton shed tears during the performance; what was the meaning behind those tears.

▶Anton: I wanted to give a touching moment to the fans (laughs). Actually, as I was talking, I think I became overwhelmed. It felt like I suddenly realized something, as if I had been hit. Just as there are moments when you cry while listening to good music, I felt similar emotions then. It was also the end of the tour, and thinking that we had successfully concluded that long time together with the members, various emotions rose up. The members teased me a lot, but I think getting to stand at Tokyo Dome was a truly amazing experience. As the thought 'We are doing well' came to mind, emotions naturally welled up.

-Continuing in Interview ③.

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*This content was translated by AI.