SM Entertainment has just launched their new Kpop boy group named “RIIZE”. Regarding this name, Korean netizens expressed mixed reactions and concerns, causing a slight controversy. Continue reading to learn more about RIIZE members, including their names, profiles, ages, Instagram, and the severe controversy surrounding the SM new boy group.
SM Launches New Boy Group “RIIZE”: All About the Members Profile, Age, Instagram, and Slight Controversy
Following a series of lawsuits, scandals, and severe issues, one of Kpop’s giant entertainment companies SM Entertainment finally launched a new boy group after 7 years of debut absence.
On July 31, Korean media outlet Sports Kyunghyang reported that SM Entertainment had announced the debut of their new boy group. The report further revealed that SM’s new boy group would debut very soon in September with the name: ‘RIIZE’ (pronounced same as ‘rise’).
RIIZE is a new boy group from SM Entertainment, launched seven years after the debut of their most recent project, NCT, in 2016. The group’s name, “RIIZE,” combines the word “rise” and “realize”, which means “a team that grows together and realizes their dreams”.
According to SM Entertainment, RIIZE is a new Kpop boy group consisting of 7 members with top-tier skills and visuals. And this group will soon present its very own unique style of music and new genre: “emotional pop”.
Simply put, SM Entertainment defines “emotional pop” as a distinct genre where the members are expected to express a rich array of emotions through their music.
As “emotional pop rookies”, RIIZE will capture inspiration from various daily experiences. Through their music, they will channel these emotions, aspiring to evolve into “emotional pop artists” who resonate with music enthusiasts worldwide.
Together, RIIZE will rise to the top of world music and realize their dreams.
However, given the controversies surrounding the group and its members, will the new SM boy group, RIIZE, truly rise or will it only falter?
RIIZE Members Name, Profile, Age, and Instagram
Further in the report, SM Entertainment revealed that the new boy group RIIZE consists of 7 members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Won Bin, Seung Han, So Hee, and Anton.
And here are the complete name, age, and profile of SM new boy group RIIZE members, according to their official Instagram account.
1. Shotaro
Resigning from NCT in May 2023, Shotaro now debuts as one of the eldest RIIZE hyung line members.
2. Eunseok
One of the most popular SM rookies in 2022, Eunseok, finally makes his grand entrance to the Kpop industry. With the nickname “Silver Stone”, Eunseok now debuts as one of the hyung line members of RIIZE along with Shotaro.
3. Sungchan
Similar to Shotaro, fans may notice Sungchan as a former NCT member. He now debuts as one of RIIZE members with the nickname “Jinsu”.
4. Won Bin (Wonbin)
Won Bin (also known as Wonbin) is one of the most mysterious members of RIIZE. There is not much information available about him besides his divine and sharp visual.
5. Seung Han (Seunghan)
Along with Eunseok, Seunghan is also one of the most popular rookies of SM Entertainment. Thankfully, he will debut very soon as one of SM’s new boy group members, RIIZE.
6. So Hee (Sohee)
You might recognize his name as it is commonly used as a female name, including South Korea’s top actress Han So Hee.
However, as one of the most talented members of RIIZE, Sohee will soon prove worthy and rise to the top of South Korea’s brilliant artists.
7. Anton
At last, the final member of RIIZE is Anton. Reportedly the maknae of RIIZE, Anton is the son of famous Korean producer Yoon Sang.
And through this video, it is almost certain that Anton has inherited his father’s talents. Topped with stunning visuals, Anton will rise and grow to be one of Kpop’s most brilliant artists.
The SEVERE Controversies Revolving the New Boy Group’s Name and Members
Still, despite all the hype and viral enthusiasm about this new SM boy group, apparently, RIIZE has already ignited various severe controversies. And it all happens even before the new boy group makes its debut.
The Name “RIIZE”
Following the announcement of the group’s name, South Korean netizens expressed mixed reactions about what the name entails.
A post on South Korea’s online forum TheQoo revealed mixed reactions towards the group’s name. While some of the netizens like how RIIZE is a simple yet deeply-thought name, others are more concerned about its existing image.
That is because RIIZE is pronounced the same as ‘rise’. In South Korea, this name is closely related and deeply embedded with the name “Ryze”, a character from their most popular game franchise, League of Legends.
Moreover, League of Legends has also released a song with the same title: “Rise”, capturing the popularity and iconic image of the name.
These existing brands then trigger controversies as netizens question SM’s creativity in building a new iconic brand name.
Member Sohee and His Controversial Past
On top of everything, the most severe controversy now revolves around one of SM new boy group members, RIIZE Sohee.
Another post from TheQoo emerged on August 1, revealing the controversial past of RIIZE member Sohee. According to the community post, RIIZE Sohee had turned off his popularity among fans even before his debut because of his unfavorable past habits.
The post further revealed that RIIZE Sohee’s face appeared in multiple photos of a hunting bar in Jungang-dong called Glam. And for the record, a hunting bar (hunting pocha) is a place where strangers meet and hook up.
Additionally, Korean netizens noticed that one of Sohee’s friends appeared to be wearing Irezumi-style tatoos. In South Korea, this type of tatoo is famous for being close relations to gangsters.
#라이즈 #소희 이정도면 양심?…이 아니라 걍 생각이 제로인거아닌가 (제로즈❤️) 과거가 더러우면
— 쟌텐녀 (@im1ohnny) July 31, 2023
알아서 데뷔를 안햇어야하는게 아닌가?#우리의씨발점에서 pic.twitter.com/NbjOsx74Sp
“If it’s this bad, not only does he not have a conscience, he does not have any brain!
If you have dirty past, you should’ve excluded yourself from debuting.”
@im1ohnny on Twitter.
And most importantly, a now-deleted post from Twitter revealed his using Korean swearing word as wordplay:
“At our starting point.” = sibaljeom, a wordplay with Korean’s equivalent of f*ck, ssibaljeom.
Finally, what do you think about all these facts on SM new boy group RIIZE and its controversies? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Also, keep yourself up to date with Korean Entertainment news on Kpoppost’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
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