The group RIIZE (RIIZE, SM Entertainment) will stand at Tokyo Dome from today (21st) through the 23rd for three days for the first world tour "RIIZING LOUD" (Rizing Loud) special edition performance.
In particular, RIIZE's performance this time is receiving great attention as it is the record for the "K-pop boy group to enter Tokyo Dome in the shortest time," and the members themselves shared their impressions.
Below is a Q&A about RIIZE's first Tokyo Dome performance.
Q. How do you feel about setting the record as the K-pop boy group to enter Tokyo Dome in the shortest time?
Shotaro: I'm very grateful. It means there are people who support us and watch over us. Thinking back, on a Japanese broadcast in 2022 where NCT's Yuta hyung and I appeared together, hyung asked me what my goal was five years from then, and I said I wanted to stand at Tokyo Dome. I'm thankful to the members who always stood by me and gave me strength so I could make that dream come true.
Eunseok: I still can't believe it. It's also the place where I had my first stage during SM Rookies. It's amazing that we can fill that place only with BRIIZE, our official fan club name. I'm thankful that the members take care of each other and perform well, and I want to say let's make another great stage this time.
Seongchan: Just being able to perform is great, and since it has another meaning, I'm happy. From the old fan-con tour when dome venues felt distant to now, I'm grateful to the members who have supported and relied on each other to come this far, and I want to tell them they did a good job.
Wonbin: When we first started touring under the name RIIZE, my dream was to meet BRIIZE in progressively larger venues. I'm glad I could achieve that dream again. The "RIIZING LOUD" tour that started last year doesn't have much left, but thanks to the members who have been there, I was able to keep my spirits up and do well. Thank you!
Sohee: I think it's meaningful just that RIIZE has come to a large venue like Tokyo Dome. It's a position we can stand in because we've worked hard with the same dream as the members. Members! You worked so hard, and let's continue to show many great things from now on.
Anton: At first I couldn't believe it. Records are something someone can break someday, after all. Still, I'm proud of who we are now. I hope RIIZE continues to rise higher through hard work. What I want to say to the members is… being the youngest in RIIZE isn't easy (laughs), but thank you for taking care of me in your own ways.
Q. Are there any points you are looking forward to in this performance?
Shotaro: The stage is large, but we will try to make BRIIZE feel closer to us. Look forward to a new set list. The members and company staff talked together and poured effort into the performance. I hope it can be a show that lets BRIIZE go home happily.
Eunseok: The "All of You" stage. Since it's a song that was released not long ago, I hope it becomes well known, and it's our first time performing on such a large stage. There's a part of my solo that BRIIZE likes as a killing point, so I'm also thinking about choreography variations.
Seongchan: I'm looking forward to the "All of You" stage. Since it's our first Japanese single in a while, I feel we need to show it well. We also prepared a cover song that is famous, so most people will probably know it. Many BRIIZE come from far away, so we want to make happy memories over the three days.
Wonbin: We have stage equipment we've never used before. I'll stop the spoilers here… Among the stages, I'm most looking forward to "Fame." There are times when I shout "Scream!" when the song starts, and I'm curious how much cheering BRIIZE will give.
Sohee: First of all, I'm expecting our BRIIZE's group singing of "Bag Bad Back" to fill the venue. Looking forward to it, BRIIZE! And please look forward to the last section before the encore. I can't tell you which song it is, but I predict the members will probably dance until they collapse at that time, and BRIIZE will be extremely excited.
Anton: If I had to express it only by sound, you'll meet a point that goes "swoosh~." The stage I'm most excited about is "9 Days," but the reason is still a secret (laughs). Later, when we look back on RIIZE's history in 10 years, we'll make a performance we won't regret.
Q. Before the performance, what did you say to each other to cheer each other on? Which member seems the most nervous?
Shotaro: The day before yesterday and yesterday after practice we ate and talked with the members and said let's do well. Wonbin has a strong sense of responsibility and tends to give meaning to each stage, so he seems nervous. Conversely, Eunseok seems less nervous than other members. During rehearsal he seemed somehow relaxed.
Eunseok: Rather than words, the moments practicing our breathing together remain in my memory. We set the goal not to make mistakes and to enjoy the stage. Everyone seems to have just the necessary amount of tension, but if I had to pick one person, it's Shotaro hyung. He said many friends would come to watch. Surprisingly, Seongchan looks like he's not nervous. For me, running a stage simulation in my head makes my nerves go away… I've already simulated it once.
Seongchan: We share feedback more than saying fighting (laughs). Before the final rehearsal, I remember we all greeted the people who helped create the show and asked them to take care of the three days of performances. Because it's a Japan performance, I think Shotaro hyung is the most nervous. The member who might cry is also Shotaro hyung! I'm much more relaxed about the stage now, but I'm a little nervous because I want to do the speaking parts a bit better.
Wonbin: I think I'm the most nervous… When we first came to Tokyo Dome as RIIZE for the "2023 MAMA AWARDS," I was so nervous my hands trembled when I went on stage. Compared to then, now it's a good kind of nervousness, the tension needed to perform. I'm really excited. With the members, since the tour is ending, we often said let's work hard for the remaining shows.
Sohee: I don't think we're a team that shouts fighting. All our practice and the stage itself are RIIZE's fighting. If someone lacks something, we talk about it, fill it in, and try to fix it together. The nervous member is Shotaro hyung. He's very detail-oriented, so maybe even more this time. Conversely, Eunseok hyung seems not to get nervous, always steady. Actually, I won't try to relieve my nerves; I'll try to keep a moderate level of tension.
Anton: Sometimes we jokingly pick a member to give a "fighting" cheer. Yesterday before rehearsal, Wonbin hyung was chosen as the person in charge of cheering. In that way we feel fighting from our own fun. Honestly, the level of nervousness is similar for all of us. After finishing rehearsal, everyone said it would feel real only right before the show. I think I'll be most nervous when I rise on the lift to come on stage… Still, feeling nervous is because you want to show something well, so it's actually a good thing.
Q. RIIZE, who are achieving your goals as you say them, what would you set as your next goal?
Shotaro: I want to see more BRIIZE and more orange lights in bigger venues. I also want to receive bigger awards with RIIZE's music.
Eunseok: Rather than aiming for a specific venue, I want everyone to know RIIZE and listen to our songs often enough. Regardless of venue size, we'll work hard so RIIZE keeps flying everywhere.
Seongchan: I want to become an artist who shines in a given year someday. I hope our music and stages receive a lot of love.
Wonbin: I think RIIZE's goal is to be a team that performs well. I said this when the "RIIZING LOUD" tour began: I hope not only BRIIZE but also the general public feel "I want to see a RIIZE concert." RIIZE is continuing to grow and I think we've done well, but from now on I want to do better. We'll be a consistent and steady team, so please look forward to it. We'll show you!
Sohee: First, thank you so much to BRIIZE who brought us this far! Isn't the next goal after the dome probably a stadium? Recently we performed at SMTOWN LIVE at a stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and I remember Anton saying he wanted to stand on a stadium stage.
Anton: Like the question said, I hope we continue to be known as "RIIZE who achieve what they say." My long-standing goal has been to perform at a stadium in New Jersey where I lived in the U.S. A short-term goal is that in 2026 RIIZE's music reaches more people's hearts.
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment.
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