'Ankle Injury' Shotaro Takes the Tightrope.. RIIZE: "Now Even 'Cool' Isn't Enough" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

RIIZE is the group you can trust.

Boy group RIIZE will release their second mini-album 'II' (Two) at 6 p.m. on the 15th via various online music platforms.

This album includes the title track 'Do your dance', which vividly showcases RIIZE's free-spirited energy and confidence, along with 'SOAR', 'D-D-Done', 'Overdrive', 'Like a Bomb', and 'In a Loop', totaling six tracks.

- Below is a Q&A regarding RIIZE's comeback with their second mini-album 'II'.

Q. This is a comeback since the single 'Fame'. It has been a while since you've promoted with a new album. What are your thoughts?

- Wonbin: Since all the songs are good, I think it's a 'masterpiece album'. With that, I feel confident about our promotions. More than anything, I just want to show you on stage as soon as possible.

- Sohee: It's been seven months since our last comeback, so I'm excited. Thank you, Blinks, for waiting for us. All of us members have tremendous confidence in this album, so please look forward to it and listen to it a lot.

Q. If you were to define the second mini-album 'II' in your own words?

- Sohee: 'II' is a fun album! From the moment I first heard the songs until the preparation process, I enjoyed everything. Even after a long time, I think this album will remain in my memory as something fun and joyful. I hope this feeling is conveyed to you all as well.

- Anton: 'II' is movement. If you think about it simply, since this is RIIZE's first album released in Korea this year, it feels like our official promotions are starting. Until now, we mainly showed you our thoughts and struggles in the process of RIIZE growing and realizing itself, but through this album, I think you will meet RIIZE moving with action rather than just thinking. I wanted to convey the feeling that RIIZE's journey to go higher and further has begun.

- Eunseok: 'II' is a crayon wearing various colors. Since all six songs in the album have different styles, I think it's enough if you enjoy them in the direction you want.

Q. What kind of song is the title track 'Do your dance'?

- Shotaro: From the first impression, I thought it was trendy. There are many fun parts in both the performance and the lyrics. Whether it's Wonbin singing 'Scratch it, no scratch My youth' or my part, 'Break charts, break hearts, all this RIIZE on your feed'... I hope you find the fun that suits your taste.

- Eunseok: It's a song that fits well no matter when or where you listen to it, but the timing I recommend is when you want to gain tremendous confidence or when you want to forget all worries and have fun.

- Sungchan: There are many killing parts in the performance. Especially the section right before the chorus where you stop moving to the beat and just turn your head, 'tap! tap! tap!'... Even during practice, we felt a sense of satisfaction when we were in sync. I think it will leave a deep impression on those watching.

- Wonbin: You can experience our passion that can overcome the hot summer. There's a hooking point in the song, 'Head, hips, shoulders, toes', so it will keep ringing in your ears, and you'll want to keep watching RIIZE's best performances.

- Sohee: As I mentioned in the previous album introduction, I hope it's remembered with the keyword 'enjoy'. Each song has a wonderful meaning, but please don't try too hard to interpret it. Just feel and enjoy RIIZE!

- Anton: 'Like a pro', which is also part of the lyrics, seems to be the core of the song. In my opinion, this is a mindset. Even if you're not a pro in any field, I think overcoming difficulties while enjoying them is what makes a pro mindset. While preparing for this comeback, I learned new things again, and thanks to that, I gained more confidence, so I want to give that confidence to the listeners as well.

Q. The performance of the title track 'Do your dance' is also expected. Is there a part that even the members thought was cool?

- Wonbin: This is the first time we've had a chorus choreography where we let go of our strength like this in RIIZE performances. Usually, there's no time for feet to touch the ground during the chorus, but in 'Do your dance', they touch the ground for a moment. The point is to hold your breath, be relaxed, and do fewer movements, so I think you might find it more charming.

- Shotaro: Sohee's choreography in the first verse intro was great. It's the part where she shouts 'She's cutting it'. From the first time I saw the draft, I thought it was fresh. Sohee pulled it off stylishly, and I thought it suited her well. For the 'Head, hips, shoulders, toes' section, even though the movements weren't big, we tried to keep the vibe, and we also paid attention to the dance break.

- Sungchan: In the dance break, the part where Shotaro-hyung rides the tightrope is really cool (laughs). I don't think there's anyone else who can dance like that. (Shotaro: I think there might be?) No, who else can do that move? If you're someone who dances well, you'll want to try following along. It will literally become a 'challenge', won't it?

Q. Aside from the title track, which track in the album do you have the most attachment to?

- Eunseok: The song that caught my attention right away was 'Like a Bomb'. Sohee really likes this song too. The structure is clear, and the melody is well-composed, so it's my personal favorite style. It feels more mainstream compared to other songs, so I think you'll like it a lot.

- Sungchan: Without a doubt, 'D-D-Done'. It's my 'favorite' song among all RIIZE songs. It was my taste from the demo, and I think I'll keep listening to it even after time passes. It's an easy-listening song, so you can enjoy it chill anytime.

- Shotaro: 'D-D-Done' and 'Overdrive'. I originally like house and R&B hip-hop music, and these songs fit that style. I thought they were perfect for summer. I've imagined the stage too; I think 'D-D-Done' would be cool at a festival, and 'Overdrive' would be great at a concert with big speakers.

Q. Compared to past albums, did you feel you grew while working on this album?

- Sungchan: Since this is an album prepared after finishing our first world tour, I naturally felt growth and change without even realizing it. Especially while recording, I thought more about how to produce sounds to fit the song, and I also sang imagining being on stage.

- Anton: Not just me, but I think the members have become more natural in expressing their own thoughts compared to the early days of debut, and their mindset has changed. They started expressing their opinions more freely. While recording, they ask more questions like 'Can we try this?', and in terms of performance, Shotaro-hyung and Wonbin-hyung also offered their opinions.

Q. A memorable behind-the-scenes episode during the album preparation process

- Anton: Shotaro-hyung had an ankle injury but still participated in all the 'Do your dance' choreography practice. I remember we spent time together, memorizing even just the upper body movements. (Looking at Shotaro) I thought you were really cool at that time.

- Wonbin: Is this the praise time? Then I'll choose Anton. Anton didn't sleep while working on the background music for his personal trailer. On the day of filming, Anton had to go out almost immediately without much sleep, so it must have been tough, but I think he did a great job.

- Shotaro: Anton also came up with various ideas for the firework scene at the end of his personal trailer. The way he communicated with the director about how to act (looking at Anton) was also cool. I thought so too.

Q. The title track 'Do your dance' is a song that awakens everyone's confidence. What is the source of RIIZE's confidence?

- Shotaro: Unconditionally, the amount of practice. Practice is important. And clothes are also important. You need to like your clothes for your confidence to skyrocket (laughs). So, while practicing 'Do your dance', I also picked out clothes that suited the members and gave them as gifts.

- Eunseok: I also think confidence comes when I practice enough.

- Sungchan: Above all, it's Blinks' reaction.

- Wonbin: That's right. If Blinks' reaction is good, I get even more excited. I also gain confidence when my hair, makeup, and styling are done well.

- Sohee: Mirrors. I look in the mirror when dancing and when monitoring. If there's no mirror, my confidence drops. (Isn't there no mirror on stage?) When you're on stage, Blinks are there instead of mirrors!

- Anton: On stage, it's the members. When the members are by my side, just their presence gives me confidence.

Q. Words you want to hear or your ambitions for this promotion

- Shotaro: These guys are cool.

- Eunseok: Now, even the word 'cool' isn't enough. I want to get the title of 'Stage Restaurant'.

- Sungchan: I'll go with my ambition. Everyone worked hard to get here, and I'll show you properly.

- Wonbin: I want to hear that RIIZE can do this too, that they have great momentum, and that even non-fans want to see RIIZE's stage.

- Sohee: Wow! RIIZE performs well!

- Anton: As expected, RIIZE.

Q. A word to Blinks who waited for the comeback, and a word to the members ahead of the promotions

- Shotaro: Blinks~ Let's make RIIZE's summer, RIIZE's year, together! Our members~ Let's work a little harder, I'm relying on you. (Everyone laughs) Don't laugh because I said that!

- Eunseok: Thank you for waiting, Blinks. Let's make many fun memories with this promotion too. Members, fighting!

- Sungchan: Always grateful to Blinks, and since it's just the beginning, let's continue to enjoy it fun. Members, let's have fun promoting!

- Wonbin: Being a fan means you have to repeat waiting and excitement. There will be tough times too, so thank you for waiting well. In return, RIIZE will repay you with good music and performances. Please look forward to it a lot. Members, let's go!

- Sohee: Blinks~ Do you know what I like the most? I'm grateful that you celebrated our 1,000 days of debut recently, and thank you for waiting for the comeback. Let's burn hot together this year with Blinks and the members!

- Anton: It's been almost three years since we started promoting. RIIZE has grown while receiving so much love from Blinks, and whenever I feel Blinks' unwavering support, I get the strength to work even harder. Thank you always. This album has many songs that fit summer, so I think it will be a satisfying album for us and for you all. Please listen to it a lot. To the members: You're cool! Let's keep going up!

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.