'3rd Debut Anniversary' RIIZE: "We Love the Stage" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

Group RIIZE released an interview through their agency SM Entertainment on the 4th to mark their third debut anniversary.

Debuting in 2023, RIIZE has gained popularity with numerous hit songs such as "Get A Guitar," "Love 119," "Boom Boom Bass," and "Fly Up," along with unique performances.

After completing their first world tour this year, which drew 420,000 audiences across 21 regions worldwide, they achieved their fourth cumulative million-selling album with a mini-album released in June. Their title track "Do Your Dance" has remained on the Billboard Top 40 Radio Chart for three consecutive weeks, continuing their global activities.

[The following is a Q&A to commemorate RIIZE's third debut anniversary]

- What are your thoughts on celebrating your third debut anniversary?

▶Shotaro: All our activities have been meaningful and full of memories, so I consider them precious times. There were moments when I wondered if we were doing well or if we were on the right path, but I am grateful to BRIIZE (the official fan club name) for giving me confidence and guiding me positively. We will work hard in the future for both BRIIZE and ourselves.

▶Eunseok: It still doesn't feel real... But above all, we are thankful to BRIIZE who have stayed by our side and supported us without change. The reason we could reach this point is thanks to BRIIZE's love.

▶Sungchan: I feel a great sense of gratitude thinking about how many moments we have shared as RIIZE with BRIIZE. Because I was able to experience both good and difficult times together with the members and BRIIZE, I am who I am today. In the future, I want to continue our activities while cherishing every moment just like now.

▶Wonbin: It feels like we have grown deeper and more closely connected by sharing many memories and emotions with BRIIZE. There are still many things we haven't said or shown, so I hope BRIIZE will walk with us until the end of RIIZE's journey and listen to all our stories.

▶Sohee: Every time we celebrate our debut anniversary, I strengthen my resolve. We will cherish each day.

▶Anton: Thinking about myself from three years ago, it seems like a lot has changed, but actually, not much seems to have changed significantly. My goal has always been growth, and that remains the same today. I also realized how far we still have to go. Still, I feel I am learning more each day about what kind of life I want to live, what kind of person I want to become, and what I want to do.

- Do you feel that you have grown more than you were a year ago, or have you discovered something new about yourself?

▶Shotaro: By experiencing concerts and festivals, I think my ability to release the energy I possess has increased compared to last year. Also, I am an MBTI 'E', but lately, it feels like I become a bit more of an 'I' type when talking to strangers!

▶Eunseok: I feel I have more composure on stage. Besides performing the set tasks well, I can now enjoy the moment and focus on it. Although there are still areas for improvement, I feel that I am still growing a little bit on stage.

▶Sungchan: I have started to look around with more composure. Instead of just thinking about having to do well, I value the process itself of being together with the members. Ah! I also realized that I like challenging new things more than I thought. I don't want to stay only in familiar areas and would like to show you many new sides of myself.

▶Wonbin: Should I call it coping methods? Whatever stage or schedule, the practice environment is always different from the actual scene. When minor problems arise, I can now judge more clearly and quickly how to solve them and move forward (laughs)!

▶Sohee: I realized that I love and enjoy the stage more than I thought.

▶Anton: I want to think that I have grown in every aspect, but since growth is something that must continue, I also feel there are still shortcomings. Still, compared to my appearance a year ago, I think I am becoming a bit more mature and responsible, working hard for my dreams.

- Looking back at RIIZE's stages over the past year, what is the most memorable stage and why?

▶Shotaro: It's hard to pick just one, but still, Tokyo Dome. Seeing countless fan lights, and all of us BRIIZE gathered in one space... I was greatly shocked in a good way. The feeling gave me goosebumps; it is difficult to explain exactly.

▶Eunseok: Of course, the Tokyo Dome concert is the most memorable. It was also the largest stage among RIIZE's solo concerts, and it made me want to meet more BRIIZE on even bigger stages in the future.

▶Sungchan: It was the Seoul finale of our first world tour. All the past moments came rushing back at once. From the excitement and nervousness at the start of the tour to all the various emotions felt while meeting BRIIZE in many regions... I felt proud that we did well until the end, and it made me realize again that we must create even better stages in the future.

▶Wonbin: Tokyo Dome. It was a dream stage. When I first stepped onto the Tokyo Dome stage for the year-end awards show, I only imagined what it would be like if all the audiences were our fans. Since this place made that imagination a reality, it is more memorable and leaves a stronger aftertaste. Let's meet again someday! In an even bigger place!

▶Sohee: The time spent with the members while performing at Lollapalooza in three South American countries is memorable. Because we poured all our energy into the stage, I think other memories also remain positive.

▶Anton: A moment that was a bit more special to me was the New York performance of our first world tour. It was the first time I went with the members to the place where I grew up, so I felt various emotions at that time.

- RIIZE is working hard together. If you could give one compliment to a member that you usually can't say, representing the team, what would it be?

▶Shotaro → Sohee: After living as roommates with Anton and me in the dorm, I got to feel your charm well. So I think I came to like 'Lee So-hee' more. Whether on stage, teamwork, or talking, thank you for being a pillar of our team, Sohee.

▶Eunseok → Anton: Anton. You worked hard as the youngest member for three years, and I hope you continue to get along well with your older brothers as the eternal youngest. I want to tell you that you are always doing well and your efforts in everything are really cool. Keep working hard just like now~

▶Sungchan → Shotaro: You brighten up the team's atmosphere. Even during difficult times, you take care of the members and show positive energy, so I rely on you a lot. Thanks to that, it seems the team has become more comfortable and cheerful. I always want to say thank you. And since dancing well is too natural for you, I won't mention it (laughs).

▶Wonbin → Eunseok: As always, I like your calm and straightforward nature. Even though I have watched you for nearly eight years (since the trainee days), your consistent presence still helps create a good atmosphere in our team. Let's do well together in the future!

▶Sohee → Sungchan: Your witty speaking skills will never lose out anywhere. Thank you always being the mood maker of the team, and let's continue to take care of our health just like now~

▶Anton → Wonbin: To Wonbin-hyung. Thanks to you, I have grown a lot. Since I have seen you since before our debut, I know what kind of person you are originally, so watching your growth often motivates me to work harder too. From the stage to variety shows, it is cool that you put your heart into everything for RIIZE. Let's continue to work hard together for RIIZE and BRIIZE in the future!

- What is your mindset as you head toward your fourth debut anniversary, or what are your personal goals?

▶Shotaro: Participating in producing performances that will be remembered by my name, studying English hard to converse well with BRIIZE even in English, and consistently creating my own content!

▶Eunseok: My goal is to meet more fans on bigger stages. Rather than being easily satisfied, I want to keep moving forward. Next year, we will work hard to be loved by many people with better music and stages.

▶Sungchan: Personally, I want to develop my skills so that when people watch our stage, they think, 'Sungchan has grown a lot.' Also, showing BRIIZE a stage where they have no regrets wherever we perform is my biggest goal.

▶Wonbin: As the years accumulate, I feel the weight increasing... but I believe RIIZE will continue to do even better. Since we are busy with activities, it seems I haven't shown much of myself outside the stage, so I want to show more of who I am to the world in my own way.

▶Sohee: For our fourth anniversary, RIIZE wants to be together with many people in even bigger venues. To do that, we must strengthen our resolve and move forward, right? We will work hard!

▶Anton: To Anton next year. What else will happen within a year? I hope you stay healthy in body and mind and stand closer to your dreams. I believe in fate, but since this life is only once, I will live without regrets through my own choices rather than just following fate passively.

- If you were to express your feelings to BRIIZE with three words?

▶Shotaro: I will always be by your side. Or, "I love you," forever, my vitamin. Since BRIIZE is always by our side, we will always be by BRIIZE's side too, so let's love each other (laughs)!

▶Eunseok: 'Loving' BRIIZE, I always feel 'hope' from your existence. I want to be with you 'forever'.

▶Sungchan: Gratitude, happiness, together. BRIIZE is the great power that allows us to stand on stage, so we are 'grateful', and the moment we meet such BRIIZE is 'happy'. We hope to 'be together' at the 4th and 5th anniversaries as well and build many memories. Let's walk together for a long time.

▶Wonbin: Waiting, existence, strength. RIIZE and BRIIZE can only meet if there is mutual 'waiting', but we make each other 'exist', and that itself makes us 'strength' to each other. Without the fans, we would not exist either. We are always grateful.

▶Sohee: Reason, motivation, companion. BRIIZE is my reason for moving, my motivation, and a companion I cannot live without.

▶Anton: Journey, inspiration, goal. We started our 'journey' with BRIIZE on September 4, 2023. You are the ones who give me 'inspiration' and also the 'goal' I must keep reaching for. So, regardless of age, nationality, or gender, I want to continue this life journey sincerely together. Everyone has their own lives, and we hope RIIZE can be a presence that stays outside reality for a while and helps make reality happier. In the future, I will work hard to become someone worth cheering for. We will always cheer for BRIIZE's journey, inspiration, and goals too.

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*This content was translated by AI.