No one could stop RIIZE's rise.
From the 4th to the 6th, RIIZE held their first solo concert tour 'RIIZING LOUD' at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, meeting over 31,000 audience members over three days. Notably, the Seoul performance achieved a complete sellout of all seats, including additional limited-view seats opened only for fan club pre-sale, allowing the popularity of RIIZE to be recognized at a glance.
This performance was a shout of ambition and a new journey for RIIZE towards greater heights, reinterpreting the narrative of the classic Greek 'Odyssey' through RIIZE's unique music. The narrative of their journey as a team was structured engagingly into five sections: beginning, joy, resistance and escape, liberation and expansion, and conclusion, enhancing immersion.
Additionally, RIIZE decorated the entire performance space as a giant sailing ship with two triangular LED structures measuring 21m high and 11m wide, kinetic stairs moving in the air between them, a large lift installed like a deck in a protruding stage, an 8.7m sail set, and a water curtain with a circumference of 40m pouring down from 20m above.
In the 'beginning of the journey' phase, RIIZE kicked off the show with 'Ingeol.' They then passionately performed 'Siren,' 'ODyssey,' and 'Combo,' raising the atmosphere with 'Combo.' Show-taro first asked, 'Thank you all for coming to RIIZE's first solo concert. How was it from the first song?' before sending greetings to the crowd.
The members' personal comments were also not to be missed. Sung-chan stated, 'Wow. It's already the last day of the concert in Seoul. You guys waited a long time for the concert, right? You know we're going to pour everything we have into our stage, so please enjoy it today.'
Next, Show-taro said, 'It's already the third day of the Seoul concert, how are you all?' feeling nervous, as it's the last day. He expressed excitement upon hearing cheers right from the opening, stating, 'This is just the beginning, so let's go all the way to the end, okay? Let's give it our all!'
Eun-seok also asked, 'Are there anyone who came the day before yesterday? Or yesterday? A lot of you showed up. The cheers and singing from the day before yesterday and yesterday were really great. Will we do even better today?' He then urged, 'Since it's the last day, let's have a great time together. If anyone in the standing area needs water, let the security staff know, and they will take care of it. So please keep that in mind and enjoy.'
Next, Won-bin shared, 'Wow, today is really the last performance, and I've been very nervous backstage. I want to do well. But the more I try to do well, the tenser I feel. I'll focus and do my best today. Since it's the last one, I'll be extra sexy, cute, and cool. So please look forward to it. Got it? Let's go!'
Main vocalist So-hee expressed, 'Everyone, it's the last day. What should we do then? We have to give it our all, despite having no energy left. RIIZE will perform until we collapse from exertion, so please enjoy. That's all we need. I promise to show you a perfect stage, with no regrets until the very end.'
Finally, Anton, wiping his sweat, said, 'It feels like I'm going to burst out sweating. As the hyungs said, today is the last day. Having done two performances, I feel like we've got our groove.' He added, 'Actually, I was the most nervous today, being the last day, but I'll give it everything I've got, so please enjoy until the end.' After finishing their comments, the members changed outfits on stage and performed 'Memories,' alongside the title track of their first Japanese single 'Lucky' and 'Be My Next' in Korean version.
In the 'joy of the journey' part, RIIZE showcased their warmth through 'Passage + Midnight Mirage,' 'Hug,' and 'Love 119.' The cheers from the Breezes were also crucial. The members exclaimed, 'Wow, that gave me goosebumps,' 'The chanting is amazing. Today is number one,' and 'That was a chanting that resonated in our in-ears.' Anton commented, 'When we're on the lift during the first performance, we can see below, right?' remarking, 'The Breezes were dancing down there.'
The members, while encouraging the passionate fans, also kept an eye on their health in the hot weather. Won-bin even suggested 'wave surfing' to match the vibe. During this time, Eun-seok led out to the protruding stage and successfully encouraged the fans to wave, catching everyone's attention. Together, the members wrapped up the 'joy of the journey' session with '9 Days' and 'Show Me Love.'
Next, in 'resistance and escape,' they performed 'Honestly,' 'Talk Saxy,' and 'Impossible' back to back, adding RIIZE's sexy charm. Won-bin asked, 'Does anyone know what's different from yesterday?' and Anton replied, 'We performed 'Impossible' on the main stage. While preparing for this stage, we hoped for more opportunities to perform closely, so we changed the stage a bit. How was it?'
Also, Show-taro said, 'I felt good seeing the Breezes' tension rise as soon as 'Impossible' started. Thank you,' while So-hee remarked, 'The Breezes' energy is really good today. I think group performances are really fun,' prompting a cheers battle by section. The members divided the standing area into four sections and half of the designated seats to encourage responses. They remarked, 'Dopamine is bursting,' and 'You all deserve to enjoy the last performance,' adding, 'Let's become our monsters,' following up with a cover stage of EXO's double title track 'Monster' from their third regular album and ended with 'Bag Bad Back.'
In the final regular performance session, 'Liberation and Expansion,' Won-bin played the electric guitar, and Anton played the bass, continuing with 'Get A Guitar' followed by 'Boom Boom Bass' and 'Fly Up.' Sung-chan asked, 'How did you all feel after running through today's performance until the end?' and Won-bin, catching his breath while sipping water, suggested, 'Since it's water time, let's do a toast,' bringing laughter.
Catching their breath, the members each mentioned their favorite performances. Anton said, 'I really liked the 'Fly Up' stage just now. I practiced wearing the Boxy today, which might have been meaningful for the Breezes. I also liked that Tai-ro hyung didn't get to wear it,' while Show-taro explained, 'I tried to make the production work somehow, but it didn't work out.'
Next, So-hee stated, 'I really loved performing 'Show Me Love' together,' while Won-bin commented, 'Did you hear the sound from 'Bag Bad Back' yesterday and today? If it comes through the in-ear, that's really big; it felt like we broke the roof.' Eun-seok disclosed, 'Personally, I felt that 'Be My Next' gave a feeling of close communication with the Breezes, so it was a more enjoyable stage.'
Additionally, Show-taro said, 'The chanting for 'Love 119' was amazing,' and Sung-chan added, 'I loved 'Monster.' It's a stage that can only be seen at 'RIIZING LOUD,' so I thought it was meaningful to cover a stage from our sunbaes, EXO. Now, Eun-seok, you have to do it. 'What is RIIZING LOUD?'
In response, Eun-seok said, 'RIIZING LOUD is eternal,' adding a special meaning. RIIZE showcased their vocal prowess by singing 'Another Life' as the last song of the regular stage.
Finally, in the encore stage and 'Closing the Journey,' RIIZE reappeared to sing 'The End of Every Day.' When asked how they felt after finishing the Seoul concert, Sung-chan remarked, 'Did you all really enjoy today's performance? I was so happy to perform in Seoul for three days, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thank you all. It truly feels unbelievable that for three days, the Breezes filled such a wide performance hall. I had been looking forward to this day since early this year when we were preparing for our regular album,' showing visibly emotional.
Sung-chan expressed, 'I believe this day will stay in our memories for a long time. I was happy to meet all of you over these three days, and as we're at the start of our journey, I hope RIIZE can become a group that can travel the world and give you strength and grow. I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone who made today's performance possible. And will you continue to join us on RIIZE's journey moving forward? Let's meet for a long time,' he said.
Show-taro said, 'As much as I waited for the concert, throughout these three days, I realized how beautiful and happy it is. Although we performed together as members, I still can hardly believe that we're together with the Breezes in this large venue. The scenery is so beautiful. The Breezes' figures are so lovely, and I want to thank all those who came to support RIIZE. I truly appreciate it. I hope you continue to cheer for us in the future.'
Eun-seok reflected, 'Time really flies. Before starting the first concert, I was really nervous about how it would go, but looking back at myself as I give the last ending comments, I feel that time really goes by quickly. Enjoyable times pass quickly, and it seems I enjoyed being on stage in front of the Breezes. I think this concert will be a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life.'
Won-bin asked, 'Hello, did you have fun? That's good if you did!' and lightened the atmosphere with a dialect, then continued, 'As always with fan concerts, I learn a lot while on stage, deepen bonds with the members, and feel that I become closer to the Breezes. Watching from the opening until now makes me very happy; I wonder how much more happiness we can bring you in the future? We promise to repay the Breezes tremendously, so just follow along. We will show you,' he vowed.
So-hee shared, 'I had so much fun and was so happy. It was such a precious time. I said this during the encore last September. I wish this moment would last forever. As I wished, I really feel like I'm still there. The Breezes always welcome us like we're in that moment. I hope this moment lasts for eternity. I will return as a more grown RIIZE. Thank you for enjoying so much, I love you.'
The last comments were entrusted to Anton. He stated, 'I wore glasses to show my dad. It's similar to what Eun-seok hyung said, but as much as we prepared, I feel nervous in that moment. The process for both the album and concert preparation had many instances, but it seems to have passed quickly. There are many regrets and things we've missed, but it will forever be a cherished and valuable experience and memory.'
Anton added, 'We don't know what will happen next. We want to keep reaching higher, want to grow, and love to perform in larger venues. Our members have worked hard, and we've had fun. As always, the Breezes are my goal, so I will continue to strive to grow, and let's go together.'
RIIZE concluded this concert by performing a total of 24 songs, including 'One Kiss' and 'Inside My Love,' as fan songs for the audience.
Meanwhile, after the Seoul concert, RIIZE will continue their tour in 14 regions worldwide, including Hyogo, Hong Kong, Saitama, Hiroshima, Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, Taipei, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, and Macau.
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment
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