[Q&A] "This year is Riize's summer"... Practicing like crazy, I'll show you on stage rather than with words

[Sportschosun Reporter Baek Ji-eun] The group RISE is making a comeback.

RISE will release their second mini-album 'II' at 6 p. m. on the 15th.

This album includes six songs of various genres, including the title track 'Do Your Dance,' as well as 'Soar,' 'D-D-Dawn,' 'Overdrive,' 'Like a Bomb,' and 'In a Loop. ' The title track 'Do Your Dance' is an up-tempo dance song that combines hip-hop beats with electronic pop sounds. The contrast between the intense distortion 808 bass that dominates the overall atmosphere of the song and the nonchalantly cool, repeating chorus adds to its charm.

The performance is also garnering anticipation for its visual appeal, featuring pointing choreography and signature hand movements that unfold according to the lyrics. BRIIZE will hold a countdown live stream to celebrate the album release on their YouTube and TikTok channels at 4:30 PM on the 15th.

The following is a Q&A with BRIIZE. - This is your comeback since the single 'Fame'.

It has been a while since you promoted with a new album; what are your thoughts? Wonbin: I think it is a 'masterpiece' because all the songs are good. I feel confident in our promotions because of that.

More than words, I just want to show it to you on stage as soon as possible. Sohee: I am excited because it is our comeback after 7 months, and thank you to BRIIZE (official fan club name) for waiting for us.

All of our members have tremendous confidence in the album, so we hope you look forward to it and listen to it a lot. - If you were to define your second mini-album 'II' in your own words? ▶ Sohee: 'II' is a fun album! From the moment I first heard the songs to the preparation process, I enjoyed everything I did.

Even after a long time has passed, I think this album will remain in my memory as a source of fun and joy. I hope this feeling is conveyed to you all as well.

Anton: 'II' is movement. To put it simply, since this is the first album Rize is releasing in Korea this year, it feels like our activities are starting in earnest.

While we have mainly shown the struggles involved in the process of Rize's growth and realization so far, I think through this album, you will be able to meet a Rize that moves with action rather than contemplation. I wanted to convey the feeling that Rize's journey to go higher and further has begun.

Eunseok: 'II' is a crayon wearing a variety of colors. Since all six songs on the album have different styles, I think it is enough if you enjoy them in the way you prefer.

- What kind of song is the title track, 'Do Your Dance'? ▶Shotaro: I thought it was trendy from the first impression. There are many fun parts in both the performance and the lyrics.

Like Wonbin's line, 'Even if I scratch it, it won't leave a scratch, my youth,' and my part, 'Break chart, break heart, all this rise on your feed'. I hope you find the fun that suits your taste.

Eunseok: It is a song that fits well no matter when or where you listen to it, but the perfect time to listen to it is when you want to gain tremendous confidence or forget all your worries and just have fun. Sungchan: There are also many killer parts in the performance.

In particular, the section right before the chorus where we stop moving to the beat and just turn our heads—Tap! Tap! Tap!—we felt a sense of exhilaration when we were in sync during practice. I think it will leave a deep impression on the viewers.

Wonbin: You will be able to experience our passion that is enough to beat the hot summer. The song has a catchy hook called 'Head, hips, shoulders, toes' that will keep lingering in your ears, and you will also want to keep watching the performance that Rise does best.

Sohee: As I mentioned in the album introduction earlier, I hope we are remembered by the keyword 'enjoy. ' Although every song has a cool meaning, please don't try to interpret it too much.

Just feel and enjoy Rise! Anton: I think 'Like a Pro,' which is also a lyric, is the core of the song. To me, it is a mindset.

I believe that even if you are not a professional in a specific field, overcoming difficulties while enjoying the process is what constitutes a professional mindset. I also learned new things while preparing for the comeback, and thanks to that, I feel like I gained more confidence, so I want to give that confidence to the listeners as well.

- We are looking forward to the performance of the title track 'Do Your Dance. ' Is there a part that the members also think looks cool? ▶Wonbin: This is the first time we’ve done such a relaxed chorus choreography in all the 'Rise' performances so far.

Usually, our feet don't have time to stay on the ground during the chorus, but in 'Do Your Dance,' they do stay on for a brief moment. Since the point is to hold our breath, be relaxed, and simplify the movements, I think people might actually find it appealing.

Shotaro: I liked Sohee's choreography in the intro of the first verse. It’s the part where they shout 'Cut!' It felt fresh from the moment I first saw the draft.

Sohee pulled it off with a hip vibe, and I thought it suited her well. For the 'Heads, Hips, Shoulders, Toes' section, we tried to capture the vibe even if the movements weren't big, and we also paid attention to the dance break.

Sungchan: The part in the dance break where Shotaro hyung does the 'shamanic ritual' is really cool (laughs). I don't think there is anyone who can dance like that.

(Shotaro: I think there might be?) No, who else could possibly do that kind of movement? If you're a good dancer, I think you'll want to try following along. Wouldn't it literally become a 'challenge'? - Is there anything you felt you grew while working on this album compared to your previous ones? ▶Sungchan: Since this is an album prepared after finishing our first world tour, I think I naturally felt growth and change without even realizing it.

Especially while recording, I thought more about how to sound to suit the song, and I even sang while imagining myself standing on stage. Anton: It's not just me; I think the members have become more natural about expressing their thoughts compared to when we first debuted, and our mindset has changed.

We started to voice our opinions more comfortably. While recording, asking, 'Can we try it like this?' There were parts where Shotaro and Wonbin asked more questions and offered their opinions regarding the performance as well.

- Memorable behind-the-scenes episodes from the album preparation process ▶ Anton: Even though Shotaro had injured his ankle, he participated in all the choreography practice for 'Do Your Dance. ' I remember spending time with him constantly, memorizing at least the upper body movements.

(Looking at Shotaro) I thought he was really cool back then. Wonbin: Is it time for compliments? Then I would choose Anton.

Anton worked non-stop without sleeping to create the background music for his individual trailer. Even on the day of filming, Anton had to leave immediately without getting much sleep, so it must have been tough, but I think he pulled it off well.

Shotaro: Anton also came up with various ideas for the fireworks scene at the end of the individual trailer. Seeing him communicate with the director about how to best perform the acting, I also thought that was cool.

- The title track 'Do Your Dance' is a song that awakens everyone's confidence. What is the source of RISE's confidence? ▶Shotaro: It's definitely the amount of practice.

Practice is important. And clothes are important too.

My confidence really skyrockets when I like the clothes (laughs). That's why, when we were practicing 'Do Your Dance,' I even picked out outfits that suited the members and gifted them.

Eunseok: I also think I gain confidence when I practice enough. Sungchan: Above all, it's the reaction of BREEZ.

Wonbin: That's right. It's more exciting when BREEZ's reaction is good.

I also gain confidence when my hair, makeup, and styling are done well. Sohee: The mirror.

I look in the mirror when I dance and when I monitor. If there is no mirror, my confidence drops.

(Aren't there no mirrors on stage?) When I stand on stage, instead of a mirror, there is BREEZ! Anton: On stage, it's the members. When the members are by my side, their mere presence gives me confidence.

- Words you want to hear or aspirations for this activity ▶ Shotaro: These guys are cool. Eunseok: Now, even saying they are cool isn't enough.

I want to earn the title of 'Stage Masterpiece'. Sungchan: I'll go with aspiration.

Everyone worked hard to get this far, and I'm going to show you what I can really do. Wonbin: I want to hear people say, 'Rise can do this kind of thing too,' 'Their momentum is great,' and 'Even if they aren't fans, they definitely want to see Rise's performance.

' Sohee: Wow! Rise is good at the stage! Anton: As expected of Rise. Reporter Baek Ji-eun silk781220@sportschosun.com