"'Always by RIIZE's side'…RIIZE's 3rd anniversary Q&A"

[Dispatch=Myung-ju Lee] "Coming this far is thanks to BRIIZE's love."

RIIZE marked their third anniversary on the 4th. They debuted on September 4, 2023, releasing their first single 'Get A Guitar'.

Since then, they have released numerous hit songs. They released 'Love 119', 'Boom Boom Bass', and 'Fly Up'.

Recently, they achieved their fourth million-seller record. Their second mini album 'II' surpassed one million cumulative sales just four days after release.

They also captured the global market. With the title track 'Do your dance', they charted on the US media base 'Top 40 Radio Chart' for three consecutive weeks.

<RIIZE Third Anniversary Q&A>

Q. Your thoughts on celebrating the third anniversary

- Shotaro: I think every activity has been meaningful and created many memories, so it's been precious time. There are moments when I wonder if I'm doing well, if this is the right path. I'm grateful to BRIIZE, our fan club, who gives me confidence and guides me in a positive direction. I will work hard for BRIIZE and myself going forward.

- Eunseok: It still doesn't feel real, but above all, I'm grateful to BRIIZE for being by our side all this time and supporting us unchanged. We were able to come this far because of BRIIZE's love.

- Sungchan: I feel increasingly grateful thinking that many moments together with BRIIZE as RIIZE have accumulated. I exist now because I've shared good and difficult moments with my members and BRIIZE. I want to continue to cherish each moment and perform going forward.

- Wonbin: While sharing many memories and emotions with BRIIZE, we've grown closer and become more bonded. There are still many things I haven't said and much I haven't shown, so I hope BRIIZE will walk with us until the end of the RIIZE journey and listen to all our stories.

- Sohee: Every time I mark a debut anniversary each year, my resolve becomes stronger. I will spend each day cherishing it.

- Anton: Thinking of myself three years ago, I've changed a lot, but in some ways it doesn't feel like much has changed. Growth has always been my goal and remains so. I've also come to know how far the path ahead is. Still, as time goes on, I feel like 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 try.

Q. What is a point where you feel more growth compared to a year ago, or have you discovered something new about yourself?

- Shotaro: Through concerts and festival experiences, I think my ability to express the energy I have has grown compared to last year. And I'm an MBTI 'E', but recently when talking with unfamiliar people, I seem to have taken on a bit of an 'I' tendency!

- Eunseok: I feel more at ease on stage. Beyond just executing what's planned, I've become able to enjoy the moment and focus. There's still much to improve, but I feel I'm continuing to grow little by little on stage.

- Sungchan: I've come to look at my surroundings with more ease. Rather than just thinking I need to do well, I'm now placing importance on the process itself of being together with my members. Oh! I also discovered that I actually love challenging new things more than I thought. I don't want to stay only in what's familiar and want to show many new sides of myself.

- Wonbin: I'd call it problem-solving. Whatever stage or schedule, the practice environment is always different from the actual setting. When small problems arise, I've become able to judge more clearly and quickly how to resolve them and how to move forward.

- Sohee: I realized that I love and cherish the stage more than I thought I did.

- Anton: I want to say I've grown in every way, but since growth is something that must continue, I also think about my shortcomings. Still, compared to a year ago, I think I'm becoming slightly more mature and responsible, and working toward my dreams.

Q. Looking back at RIIZE's performances over the past year, what stage stands out most in your memory and why?

- Shotaro: It's hard to pick just one, but Tokyo Dome. Seeing countless fan lights and realizing that only our BRIIZE gathered in one space... I was shocked in a good way. The feeling is indescribable.

- Eunseok: The Tokyo Dome performance stands out most for me as well. It was the largest stage of RIIZE's solo performances, and it made me think about wanting to meet more BRIIZE on even bigger stages in the future.

- Sungchan: The first world tour Seoul finale performance. All the past time came flooding back. From the excitement and nervousness at the start of the tour to all the emotions felt while meeting BRIIZE in various regions... I felt proud that we did well until the end, and I feel like I've renewed my determination to create even better stages moving forward.

- Wonbin: Tokyo Dome. It was a stage I'd dreamed of, and when I first stood on the Tokyo Dome stage for the year-end awards ceremony, I only imagined what it would be like if all the audience members were our fans. The place that realized that imagination is more memorable and the aftertaste lingers. Let's meet again someday. On an even bigger stage!

- Sohee: The memories I spent with the members while performing at Lollapalooza in three South American countries stand out. Since we gave our all on stage, I think other memories also remained positive.

- Anton: A moment that was more special to me was the first world tour New York performance. It was the first time I went there with my members to the place where I grew up, so I had various emotions at the time.

Q. RIIZE is currently working hard. Representing the team, if you could offer a word of praise to this member that you haven't said before?

- Shotaro → Sohee: Since I've lived as roommates with Anton and you, I've come to understand your charm better. So I think I've come to like you, Sohee, even more. Thank you for being a pillar for our team, whether on stage, in teamwork, or in talk. You're always appreciated.

- Eunseok → Anton: Anton. As the maknae for three years, you've gone through a lot, and as the eternal maknae, I hope you continue to get along well with us hyungs. You always do well and the way you put effort into everything is really cool. I want to tell you that. Keep working hard like now.

- Sungchan → Shotaro: You brighten the team's atmosphere. Even during difficult moments, you take care of the members and show positive energy, so I rely on you a lot. Thanks to you, the team has a more comfortable and enjoyable vibe. I always want to say thank you. And since it goes without saying that you dance well, I won't mention it.

- Wonbin → Eunseok: As always, I like how steady and resolute you are, hyung. I've known you for nearly eight years since trainee days, but you remain the same, creating a good atmosphere for our team. Let's keep doing well!

- Sohee → Sungchan: Your witty way with words won't lose to anyone. Thank you for always being the mood maker of the team, and keep taking care of your health like you do now.

- Anton → Wonbin: To hyung Wonbin. I've grown a lot because of you. Since I saw you before debut, I know what kind of person you originally are, so seeing your growth makes me try harder many times. From stage to entertainment, the way you put your sincerity into everything for RIIZE is cool. Let's keep working hard together—RIIZE, BRIIZE, let's lift each other up!

Q. What's your mindset heading into the fourth anniversary, or what's a personal goal you want to achieve?

- Shotaro: Participating in the creation of performances remembered by my name, studying English hard so I can communicate well with BRIIZE in English, and consistently creating my own content!

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

- Sungchan: Personally, I want to improve my skills so that when people see a performance, they think 'Sungchan has grown a lot'. Also, my biggest goal is to show BRIIZE, who waited for us, a stage without regret wherever we perform.

- Wonbin: As years accumulate, I feel the weight more, but... I believe RIIZE will continue to do even better. Since we've been busy with activities, I feel like I haven't shown much of myself outside of performances, so I want to show the world much more of who I am and what Wonbin is really like.

- Sohee: As we reach the fourth anniversary, RIIZE wants to share a stage with many people in larger venues. For that, I need to strengthen my resolve and move forward. I will work hard!

- Anton: To next year's Anton. What accomplishments will have been made in a year? I hope to be healthy in body and mind and standing closer to my dreams. I believe there is destiny, but since this life comes only once, I want to live without regrets through my own choices rather than simply following fate.

Q. If you were to express your heart to BRIIZE in three words?

- Shotaro: I'll always be by your side. Or love, forever, my vitamin. BRIIZE who's always there for us—I'll always be by your side too, so let's love each other!

- Eunseok: I 'love' BRIIZE, and I always feel 'hope' from your presence. I want to be together 'forever'.

- Sungchan: Gratitude, happiness, together. BRIIZE is the great force that allows us to stand on stage, so I'm 'grateful', and the moments of meeting BRIIZE like this are 'happiness'. I hope we can be 'together' at the fourth and fifth anniversaries and create many memories. Let's walk together for a long time.

- Wonbin: Waiting, existence, strength. RIIZE and BRIIZE need to 'wait' for each other to meet, but we make each other 'exist', and by that alone, we become 'strength' for one another. Without our fans, we wouldn't exist either. I'm always grateful.

- Sohee: Reason, driving force, companion. BRIIZE is the reason I move, my driving force, and an indispensable companion.

- Anton: Journey, inspiration, goal. Starting from September 4, 2023, we began a 'journey' with BRIIZE. You are an existence that gives me 'inspiration' and a 'goal' I must continue to reach. So regardless of age, nationality, or gender, let's authentically continue this life journey together. You all have your own lives, and I hope RIIZE can be an existence that steps outside reality for a moment and helps make reality happier. I will continue to do my best to become someone worthy of your support. I will always be cheering on your journeys, inspirations, and goals as well.