RIIZE Announces Winter Comeback ‘Love 119’ Amidst Member Hiatus

RIIZE has unveiled the teaser for their eagerly awaited winter-themed single, “Love 119.” It’s set to drop on January 5 at 6:00 PM KST. The teaser only features six members due to Seunghan‘s ongoing indefinite hiatus. It depicts the group joyfully playing in the snow, which instantly warmed the hearts of their fans.

RIIZE 라이즈 ‘Love 119’ MV Teaser

About ‘Love 119’

In a press release, SM Entertainment described “Love 119” as a soft, mellow pop dance song. It has a dreamy atmosphere, steady drum beat, and sweet piano riffs. This marks a significant shift from RIIZE‘s previous tracks like “Get a Guitar” and “Talk Saxy,” which were known for their powerful performances and upbeat melodies. Fans can hardly wait for the group’s new musical direction.

SM Entertainment sent out a press release describing “Love 119.” The agency called it a “soft, mellow pop-dance song with a dreamy atmosphere, steady drum beat, and sweet piano riffs.” The release also notes that the lyrics poignantly capture the essence of first love. This makes it a perfect match for the winter theme, as people tend to get more sentimental in wintertime.

However, fans’ excitement for this comeback is tinged with sadness due to Seunghan‘s absence. The idol recently took an indefinite hiatus following controversies related to his past. While some fans say he didn’t need to take this step, the significant backlash from netizens seemed to justify his decision. The announcement of a six-member comeback has elicited mixed reactions. Many are demanding Seunghan‘s return and expressing reluctance to support the comeback because he’s not part of it.

RIIZE continues to make strides

Despite this, RIIZE continues to make strides in the industry. Recently, they were appointed as house ambassadors for the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. They joined the ranks of prominent Korean figures like Bae Doo-na, BTS‘ j-hope, Felix from Stray Kids, Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon, Hyein from NewJeans, Jung Ho-yeon, LE SSERAFIM, and Song Joong-ki. This partnership, announced just three months after RIIZE‘s debut, highlights their rising status in the music and fashion industries.

Louis Vuitton expressed excitement about the partnership. “The group has garnered significant attention for its confident and trendsetting fashion sense. We look forward to embarking on this creative journey together with RIIZE,” the brand stated.

As RIIZE prepares for their “Love 119” release, the K-pop community is abuzz with anticipation and support for the six members, while also hoping for Seunghan‘s eventual return. This comeback promises to be a bittersweet yet significant milestone in the group’s journey. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: RIIZE’s new single is set to tug at listeners’ heartstrings. Source: X/@riizefolder.