Members reflect on growth, performance and the mindset behind second EP “II”
K-pop sensation Riize has unveiled its highly anticipated second EP, “II,” on Monday, featuring the dynamic lead single “Do Your Dance.” This latest release showcases the group’s distinctive free-spirited energy and undeniable confidence across six tracks, including “Soar,” “D-D-Done,” “Overdrive,” “Like a Bomb,” and “In a Loop.”
SM Entertainment reports that Riize’s “II” achieved remarkable success, selling over 910,000 copies within its first day of release. This impressive feat secured the No. 1 spot on Hanteo Chart’s daily album chart. The EP also dominated digital album sales charts on China’s QQ Music, earning a prestigious Triple Gold certification for surpassing 750,000 yuan in sales. In Japan, the album soared to No. 1 on local streaming platform AWA’s real-time rising chart and landed at No. 2 on RecoChoku’s daily album ranking.
Globally, Riize’s “II” hit No. 1 on iTunes Top Albums charts in five regions—Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia. It further solidified its international appeal by ranking in the Top 10 across 11 countries worldwide, including Singapore, Brazil, Turkey, Colombia, Taiwan, and the Philippines, underscoring Riize’s growing global footprint.
Below is an exclusive Q&A with the members of Riize, offering insights into their exciting return with “II,” as provided by SM Entertainment.
Q. This marks your first comeback since “Fame” in November 2025. How do you feel about returning with a new album?
Wonbin: All the songs on this EP are exceptional, truly making it a masterpiece. That gives me immense confidence as we embark on promotions. I’m just eager to perform these tracks on stage as soon as possible.
Sohee: It’s incredibly exciting because it’s been seven months since our last release. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our fans, Briize, for their patience and unwavering support. All of us feel incredibly confident about this album, and we truly hope everyone looks forward to it and listens to it a lot.
Q. How would you define your second EP “II” in your own words?
Sohee: “II” is a truly fun album. I enjoyed every aspect of it, from the very first listen to the entire preparation process. I believe this album will be etched in my memory for a long time as a joyful and exciting experience. I sincerely hope those positive feelings are also conveyed to all our listeners.
Anton: For me, “II” represents movement and progression. In simple terms, it’s our first Korean album released this year, so it feels like the beginning of our full-fledged activities. Until now, we’ve primarily showcased our concerns and the growth we experienced while pursuing our dreams. Through this album, I believe people will see Riize as a group that takes decisive action rather than dwelling on worries. I wanted to convey the strong feeling that Riize’s journey toward reaching new heights and pushing further has truly begun.
Eunseok: “II” is like a vibrant box of crayons, brimming with different colors. All six tracks possess their own distinct style, so I think it’s enough if listeners simply enjoy them in whatever way they prefer.
Q. What kind of song is the lead track “Do Your Dance?”
Shotaro: My first impression was that it sounded incredibly trendy and current. There are so many fun elements in both the performance and the lyrics, such as Wonbin’s catchy line, “Scratch it all you want, no marks on my youth,” and my part, “Break charts, break hearts, all this Riize on your feed.” I hope listeners discover the parts they enjoy the most.
Eunseok: It’s a versatile song that fits any situation, but I’d particularly recommend listening to it when you need a boost of confidence or when you simply want to forget your worries and just have fun.
Sungchan: The performance for “Do Your Dance” also features many standout moments. Right before the chorus, there’s a unique part where we momentarily stop moving and only snap our heads to the beat. Even during practice, it felt incredibly satisfying whenever we nailed it perfectly together. I think it will definitely leave a strong impression on viewers too.
Wonbin: You’ll definitely feel the intense passion we poured into this track, a passion that can overcome even the summer heat. The line “head, hips, shoulders, toes” is a truly catchy hook that will undoubtedly stay in your head, and you’ll likely want to keep watching the performance.
Sohee: As I mentioned earlier, I hope people will associate this album with the keyword “enjoyment.” While each song has its own meaning, there’s no need to over-analyze everything. Just feel the music and enjoy the moment.
Anton: I think the phrase “like a pro,” which appears in the lyrics, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the song. To me, it’s more than just a phrase; it’s a powerful mindset. You don’t necessarily have to be a professional in a specific field. Being able to genuinely enjoy the process and bravely overcome difficulties is what a true professional mindset is all about. While preparing for this comeback, I learned many new things and gained even more confidence. I truly hope listeners can experience and gain that same confidence when they listen to “Do Your Dance.”
Q. The performance for “Do Your Dance” is already gathering high anticipation. Is there a part that stood out even to the members?
Wonbin: This is notably the first Riize performance where the chorus choreography feels this relaxed and fluid. Usually, our feet barely touch the ground during a chorus, but in “Do Your Dance” they do for a moment, creating a unique dynamic. The key is to exercise restraint, maintain composure, and strip away any unnecessary movements. I believe that subtle restraint will appear particularly appealing to viewers.
Shotaro: I genuinely loved Sohee’s choreography in the opening of the first verse, specifically during the line “They shout cut.” I thought it felt incredibly fresh and innovative from the very first time I saw the demo version. Sohee pulled it off in a remarkably cool way, and it truly suits his style. For the “head, hips, shoulders, toes” section, I focused intently on bringing out the right vibe, even though the movements aren’t large, and I also dedicated a lot of attention to the dance break to make it impactful.
Sungchan: I think Shotaro’s moves during the dance break are absolutely incredible. I truly don’t believe there’s anyone else who can dance quite like that.
Shotaro: I’m sure there is!
Sungchan: No way. Who else can execute that kind of unique movement with such precision? I think people who are skilled at dancing will definitely want to try copying it. It could genuinely become a challenge of its own, sparking a trend.
Q. Aside from the lead track, which side tracks are you most attached to?
Eunseok: The song that immediately captured my attention was “Like a Bomb.” Sohee also really enjoys it. It features a clear structure and a beautifully crafted melody, which is a style I personally find very appealing. Compared to our other tracks, it feels more mainstream, so I anticipate a lot of people will genuinely like it.
Sungchan: Definitely “D-D-Done.” It’s become my all-time favorite Riize song. I adored it right from the demo stage, and I believe I’ll continue to come back to it even years from now. It’s an easy-listening track that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
Shotaro: “D-D-Done” and “Overdrive.” I’ve always been drawn to house and R&B hip-hop music, and both these songs perfectly fit that style. They’re absolutely perfect for summer. I even imagined performing them — “D-D-Done” feels like an energetic festival song, while “Overdrive” would sound absolutely amazing at a concert with huge speakers, creating an immersive experience.
Q. Compared to previous albums, how have you grown while working on this one?
Sungchan: Since this album followed our first world tour, I believe I naturally experienced significant growth and change, almost without even realizing it. While recording, I thought more carefully and deeply about what kind of vocal tone would best fit each specific song, and I also sang while vividly imagining how the performance would look and feel on stage.
Anton: Not just myself, but all of us have become far more comfortable expressing our thoughts and ideas compared to when we first debuted. Our entire mindset has shifted significantly. We are now much more willing to openly share our opinions, whether it’s asking, “Can I try it this way?” during recording sessions or proactively offering creative suggestions for performances. Shotaro and Wonbin also contributed many valuable ideas this time, showcasing our collaborative growth.
Q. Do you have a message for Briize, who have been waiting for this comeback, and a message for your fellow bandmates?
Shotaro: Briize, let’s make this Riize’s summer and Riize’s year together! To the members, let’s keep working hard just a little longer with this incredible momentum. I’m counting on all of you!
Eunseok: Thank you so much for waiting patiently, Briize. Let’s create countless fun and unforgettable memories together during this exciting promotion period. Bandmates, fighting!
Sungchan: I am always incredibly grateful to Briize for their unwavering support. This is only the beginning of our journey, so let’s continue to enjoy every moment together. Bandmates, let’s have an amazing and fun time during this promotion cycle.
Wonbin: Being a fan often means constantly going through cycles of waiting and anticipation. I understand that this can be challenging at times, so truly, thank you for waiting for us with such dedication. We promise to repay that patience with exceptional new music and unforgettable performances. Please look forward to everything we have prepared. Let’s go, mates!
Sohee: Briize, you know you’re my absolute favorite, right? Thank you for celebrating our 1,000th day since our debut with us, and thank you immensely for patiently waiting for this exciting comeback. To both Briize and my incredible members, let’s make this year burn brightly together with our collective passion.
Anton: It’s hard to believe it’s been almost three years since we began our promotions. Riize has grown exponentially thanks to the immense love and support Briize has consistently given us, and whenever I feel that unwavering encouragement, it provides me with the strength to work even harder. Thank you, always. This album, “II,” is brimming with songs that perfectly suit the summer season, so I believe it will be incredibly satisfying for both us and our dedicated fans. Please listen to it a lot and enjoy. And to the members — you’re all absolutely amazing. Let’s continue to keep rising higher and achieving our dreams together.
This interview from a press release issued by SM Entertainment was translated into English using AI and edited by The Korea Herald staff. — Ed.
