It’s official: SM Entertainment is entering a new era! The agency confirmed that their new boy group RIIZE is making its debut in September.
In a press release on Monday, July 31, the agency announced that RIIZE will have “seven-top notch members who have both skills and visuals.”
‘SM said, "Rise is made up of seven elite members who have both skills and visuals.”
RIIZE official instagram will open at 12AM KST on August 1.
Not only releasing member teasers, but also releasing a variety of content that will allow you to meet RIIZE’s unique charm. pic.twitter.com/gpiJiuvUjk
— riize folder (@riizefolder) July 31, 2023
SM Entertainment continued that these members will each have their own unique characteristics and strengths. The group will also “embark on a new ‘realtime odyssey’ together as one team.”
The agency added that RIIZE will “write a new chapter of music history.”
What we know about RIIZE
Combined from the words “rise” and “realize,” SM Entertainment explained that the group name RIIZE is meant to symbolize how the team will grow and achieve their dreams.
As of writing, there’s no details yet about the group’s debut album. But the agency confirmed that RIIZE’s musical genre will be “emotional pop.”
For weeks, eagle-eyed fans have been speculating that RIIZE would be the group’s name after they discovered that SM Entertainment has applied new trademark over the phrases “Rise&Realize” and “RIIZE.”
Some have also discovered social media accounts that use the said name.
SM Entertainment said that the RIIZE’s official Instagram account will be launched on August 1, alongside the introduction of the members.
In May, SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk first confirmed that the new boy group will have former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro and SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan as part of its lineup. The seven-piece act will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities.
RIIZE will serve as the agency’s first boy group in seven years following NCT. SM Entertainment’s latest group was aespa, which made their debut in 2020.
Meanwhile, aside from the RIIZE, SM Entertainment is also currently forming the last unit of NCT. Through the reality series, NCT Universe: LASTART, they will be looking for members of NCT Tokyo.
Featured image Former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan and SMRookies Eunseok and Seunghan are confirmed to be part of RIIZE. Credit: Facebook/NCT and SM Rookies’ page