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Photo by Esther Kim

Following the release of their first album ODYSSEY, RIIZE made history as the first K-pop group to perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival [ACL]. The group, whose name combines the words “Rise” and “Realize,” is composed of members SHOTARO, EUNSEOK, SUNGCHAN, WONBIN, SOHEE, and ANTON. RIIZE cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with when they gained 1 million Instagram followers just four days after their debut in 2023, and sold over 1 million pre-orders of their single “Get A Guitar” within that same week. 

Since then, RIIZE has become no stranger to a stage—specifically a festival stage—playing Rolling Loud Thailand, Busan International Rock Festival, Summer Sonic, Tecate Emblema (where they also made history as the first Korean artist to perform at the festival), and now, ACL! We had the chance to chat with the group about their historic performance, what RIIZE’s fanbase “BRIIZE” should expect from their upcoming North America tour, and what they look forward to when they visit the States. 

Photo by Esther Kim

OnesToWatch: You are the first K-pop group to play ACL in the festival’s history. What does this historic accomplishment mean to you? 

SHOTARO: I was amazed by the lineup this year - there are so many artists who are active and making waves globally. When I first heard that we’d be part of it, it honestly felt like a dream come true. At the same time, I felt a certain sense of pressure because we’re representing K-pop at this festival in a way. That made us want to work even harder and push ourselves to do better. I’ve watched many festivals around the world and can sense the weight that comes with it. But more than anything, I just hope we can truly enjoy the moment together with the audience tomorrow.

SUNGCHAN: “t’s such an honor to be the first K-pop artist to perform at a major festival like ACL. Through this opportunity, I hope we’ll be able to take part in even more festivals across the U.S. in the future. While preparing for this performance, I also studied English a lot so that I could communicate better with our fans BRIIZE here. I hope many people will come see our stage at ACL and get to know more about RIIZE through this performance.

Photo by Esther Kim

You are about to embark on your upcoming “RIIZING LOUD” Tour in the U.S. and seem to have found a second home here, even filming some of your music videos in Los Angeles. What is something that you look forward to when you visit the States, and what are you looking forward to on tour? 

SOHEE: As you mentioned, we even filmed our debut music video in LA, so it really feels like we have a special connection with the U.S. and there’s this excitement that never goes away every time we come here. I think it’s the vibe - all of us in the group really love the energy here. We always feel recharged when we come, and we look forward to meeting our dancers again too. It feels like there’s always something fun waiting for us. 

I also love the weather, the scenery, and even just walking around - it all makes me super happy. With the U.S. tour coming up, I’m so excited for the energy and vibe we’ll feel on stage, and for the amazing energy from our fans, BRIIZE. I can already imagine how much fun it will be sharing those moments together. And maybe, just a small personal goal - improving my English a bit more this time!” 

ANTON: Personally, being from the States myself, I always look forward to coming back home. As the only member from the U.S., I do feel a bit of pressure and a sense of responsibility when it comes to promoting here. But since ACL is our first festival performance in the U.S., being able to share the stage with such incredible global artists is a huge honor and an amazing opportunity for us, and I’m truly grateful for it.

Our first North American tour is also coming up very soon, and the members and I will be visiting many cities we’ve never been to before. We’ll be meeting some fans for the first time since our debut, which makes it even more special. I believe this tour will be an unforgettable experience not only for us but also for our fans - and I’m already looking forward to coming back to the U.S. even more in the future.

Photo by Esther Kim

Wonbin and Anton, you both play instruments on tour. How did that come about and were you excited to show BRIIZE another side of you as performers? 

WONBIN: I first got into playing instruments when I was a kid. My dad also used to play guitar, so I naturally picked it up as well. I was really inspired by watching artists like Michael Jackson - singing, performing, and playing guitar - and that made me want to do the same. 

Even though I’ve played guitar for quite some time, I realized I haven’t really had many chances to show that side of myself properly to BRIIZE. So being able to perform with my guitar on this tour felt really special and fulfilling. I hope everyone will look forward to seeing a longer, cooler, and more elevated version of my performance with the guitar in the future.

ANTON: I started getting into playing bass and guitar about a year ago. I mostly taught myself through YouTube while listening to and watching artists that I personally look up to. I’m really glad I decided to pursue that interest, because it led to my first live bass performance at the MMA Awards. After that, I was able to prepare a bass performance with WONBIN for our RIIZING LOUD Tour, which was such an amazing experience. I hope our fans in the U.S. will enjoy that part of the show as well.” 

Anton, you grew up in New Jersey and will be performing in New York for the first time on this tour. What does this homecoming show mean to you? 

ANTON: Being able to perform in the place where I grew up feels surreal. The other members have already had the chance to experience that kind of homecoming, but for me, this will be the first time. I’m not exactly sure what to expect, and I do feel a little nervous knowing that there might be people seeing us for the first time - and seeing me not just as the guy from New Jersey, but as a member of RIIZE.” 

What is your favorite song to perform live and why? 

SHOTARO: I’d say “Bag Bad Back” and “Siren.” They’re both very close to the style of music I personally enjoy. When we performed “Bag Bad Back,” I didn’t expect it at first, but so many fans sang along during the “bag bag bag” part, which made me really happy. When the crowd joins in like that, it gives me such a rush of energy and it’s honestly one of the best feelings on stage. So for ACL too, since we’ll be performing both songs, I really hope everyone in the crowd can have fun with us.

EUNSEOK: For me, it would have to be our opening song, “Ember to Solar” of the RIIZING LOUD Tour. It feels like the true beginning of it all - it’s full of energy and really sets the tone for the entire show. It’s the kind of song that bursts open right from the start, allowing us to show a powerful and dynamic side of RIIZE, so I always enjoy performing it.

SOHEE: My favorite song to perform is “Show Me Love,” which was added to our setlist for the RIIZING LOUD Tour from our album ODYSSEY. Toward the end of the song, there’s an outro section where the fans sing along with us (Sohee hums), and that moment always gives me goosebumps. It’s when I truly feel like, “Wow, I’m a singer now.” Sharing that moment with our fans - hearing their voices blend with ours - feels so beautiful and emotional every single time.

If someone was learning about RIIZE for the first time, what is a song that you would recommend they listen to or a performance they should watch? 

SUNGCHAN: For performances, I’d definitely recommend “Bag Bad Back.” It’s one that we put a lot of effort into, and I think it really captures what RIIZE’s performance style is all about. As for a song, I’d say “Get A Guitar.” I think it perfectly represents the kind of sound and musical direction that RIIZE pursues, so it’s a great introduction for anyone getting to know us for the first time.

WONBIN: If someone’s discovering RIIZE for the first time, I’d definitely say “Siren” - whether it’s the music video or one of our live performances. It was our debut song, and it really shows how powerful our energy can be on stage. I think “Siren” is the perfect song to let people know what kind of team RIIZE is. 

Photo by Esther Kim

You just celebrated your second anniversary as a group, congratulations! What is some advice that you would give your predebut selves? 

EUNSEOK: I’d just tell myself to hang in there and keep going. If you work hard, the day will come when your efforts finally shine, so just endure a little longer and stay strong.

WONBIN: I’d tell my pre-debut self to build as many of your own strengths as possible. That’s the time when you have the most freedom to do so, so make the most of it. Once you debut, things get busier, and you might not have that same space to grow, so I’d remind myself to keep creating and expanding my repertoire while I can.

What is a genre that you’d like to explore next? 

SUNGCHAN: I’d personally like to try a retro-style hip-hop sound - something with an old-school vibe. I think it would be fun to really dive into that kind of performance.

SOHEE: Not just speaking for myself, but RIIZE is a team that has already explored so many different genres. One style I’ve always wanted to try though is strong rock music - something with real intensity, the kind that makes you want to shake your head and just go all in. Personally, I think it would be really exciting to take on that kind of sound, and I’d love for us to keep challenging ourselves with a variety of new styles in the future.

What kind of music do you listen to when you’re on tour? Who are your OnesToWatch? 

SHOTARO:  recently came across a song called “Candy” by Claudia Valentina, and I’ve really been into it. The beat is great, and it’s the kind of song that gives you a boost of energy - like something you’d want to listen to on your way to work. I also listened to a lot of Justin Bieber last night. Swag II is amazing, but the one that really moved me was “Life Is Worth Living.” The message in that song is so beautiful, and it gave me a lot of comfort.

EUNSEOK: Before going on stage, I usually listen to our own songs to get into the right mindset, but I also listen to a lot of great artists like The Weeknd. I really enjoy the sound and vibe of his music - songs like “Die For You” are some of my favorites. I also listen to a lot of band music to lift my energy, and recently I’ve been really into a band called Mrs. GREEN APPLE from Japan.

WONBIN: Since I play guitar, I’ve been watching a lot of live performances by Prince lately. It’s not only because he’s such an incredible guitarist and vocalist, but also because his stage presence, silhouette, and style are so inspiring. I’m naturally quite slim, so seeing how he uses that to his advantage on stage makes me want to take inspiration from him for future performances.

The RIIZING LOUD North American tour kicks off on October 30th in Rosemont, IL. Will you be there?