RIIZE is here with a powerful new chapter as they release “Fame”, a three-track single that pushes deeper into the group’s emotional core. Out now through SM Entertainment and RCA Records, the project marks one of the group’s most expressive musical moments to date, leaning into raw honesty, self-reflection, and a bold stylistic edge. This acts as the follow-up to their official debut studio album, “ODYSSEY”.
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The release caps off a landmark year for the rising K-pop act, who recently celebrated the success of their million-selling debut album “ODYSSEY” and launched their global RIIZING LOUD tour. This new era sees the members draw back the curtain on their personal journeys, offering listeners a closer look at the pressures, ambitions, and vulnerabilities that have shaped them.
The spotlight falls first on the title track, “Fame”—written by Awrii, BIGONE, ChaMane, and HARING, with HARING also producing. The song opens with a striking electric guitar line before shifting into a mix of hip-hop, electro textures, and polished pop elements. Anton’s voice blends seamlessly with the electronic edge, while Wonbin’s vocals add power and lift the early momentum. Sungchan delivers the first verse with a steady hip-hop tone, weaving Korean and English lines together, followed by Anton’s powerful vocals in Korean. Eunseok then continues the verse with his deeper timbre, blending Korean and English, before Shotaro follows with matching energy and full of vibes.
The track builds through an upbeat pre-chorus delivered by Sungchan, Sohee, and Anton, before launching into a high-impact chorus. A catchy post-chorus hook follows, designed to stay with listeners all day long. The second verse leans further into hip-hop while giving each member a chance to stand out. As the song reaches its finale, Eunseok and Wonbin guide the final pre-chorus into a bright, pop-driven climax, closing with an addicting post-chorus by the band with lines from Sohee and Eunseok, ending with a standout hook line from Wonbin. Despite its bold production, the core message remains tender, revealing that their motivation stems from love rather than fame.
The music video builds on the track’s theme with a performance-focused concept. Directed by Hangyeol Lee, with Taesung Hwang as Director of Photography, it opens in an indoor space where the members appear relaxed—Anton playing guitar and Sohee skateboarding—before shifting into a full performance. Once the beat kicks in, the choreography takes over with sharp movements that match the intensity of the chorus.
A recurring visual motif introduces a grey-tiled, box-like room, where each member faces a stylised version of themselves. This contrast highlights the divide between their grounded personalities and their polished idol personas. As the video progresses, the band knock out flawless choreography, and it ends with the box room exploding. A brief blurred transition on Wonbin’s arm reinforces the merging of these dual identities, aligning with the song’s sentiment that their journey is driven by passion rather than the pursuit of fame. The choreography adds a final powerful touch, cementing why RIIZE continue to rise as one of K-pop’s standout groups.
“Something’s In The Water” opens the three-track EP, written by Elijah Waters, Josef Lamercier, Luke Titus, Mike Irish, and Seul-Gi Yu, with production handled by Elijah Waters, Josef Lamercier, Luke Titus, and Mike Irish. The track leans into a contemplative R&B pop sound, built on atmospheric production, a sinking bassline, and soft, lingering vocals. Its lyrics sit in that quiet space where unspoken worries live, encouraging listeners to acknowledge those internal tensions as part of personal growth.
From the first notes, a rich R&B tone flows through the track, and the chorus deepens that warmth with layered harmonies. The performance feels undeniably heartfelt, carrying an emotional weight that enhances the ballad-like quality at its core. It’s a song that speaks softly but confidently, connecting through its sincerity and its reflective mood.
“Sticky Like” closes out the release, written by Ned Houston, Tim Tan, WILJAM, and Yoon, with production from Tim Tan. The track leans into nostalgic pop-rock, blending piano, guitar, and dramatic percussion with a bright, radio-ready chorus. Its melodic warmth and lyrical focus on unconditional love highlight how someone special can bring out the best in you, echoing the charm of early 2010s pop.
The song opens with Eunseok singing the first lines, setting an introspective, heartfelt tone, before Sohee follows with a softer, melodic touch. Bringing Korean lyrics to the forefront with occasional English lines, RIIZE deliver vocals in a higher register, and the chorus introduces an addictive hook enhanced by falsetto, adding a “honeyed” sweetness to the track. Verse two introduces Shotaro’s slow-rap hip-hop section in a deeper register, creating contrast before Anton’s warm vocals and Sohee’s gorgeous R&B runs lift the melody again. The interplay of voices, harmonies, and subtle production textures mirrors the lyrics’ focus on love’s quiet power and the transformative effect of a meaningful relationship.
Anton then draws listeners into a soft, piano-led bridge sung in Korean, providing a reflective moment before the final chorus returns with full sweetness and pop energy. Sungchan and Anton deliver the post-chorus with heartfelt intensity, while Wonbin and Anton close the song with the final lines, leaving a gently resolute impression. Across the track, every member’s performance—from introspective verses to soaring hooks—reinforces the song’s emotional journey, capturing both vulnerability and joy in a cohesive, heartfelt R&B-pop ballad.
The arrival of “Fame” follows a series of standout moments for RIIZE throughout their rise this year, including the North American leg of the 2025 RIIZE CONCERT TOUR [RIIZING LOUD], which ran from October 30 to November 14. Their recent headline shows took them to major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Mexico City, while a landmark appearance at Austin City Limits made them the first K-pop group to take the stage at the long-running festival. Ahead of their US dates, the members also lit up the Empire State Building in their signature colour, sunrise orange, marking a symbolic milestone in their growing international profile
Alongside these North American achievements, the group has been travelling more widely as part of the broader RIIZING LOUD world tour, which launched with three sold-out concerts in Seoul on July 4, drawing an impressive 31,000 fans across the shows. They have since appeared at events including Tecate Emblema in Mexico, Rolling Loud in Thailand, and SMTOWN Live at The O2 in London. The tour will continue into early 2026 with additional dates across Asia, culminating in a major headline performance at Tokyo Dome—an early-career achievement reached by only a select number of K-pop boy groups.
RIIZE, made up of SHOTARO, EUNSEOK, SUNGCHAN, WONBIN, SOHEE, and ANTON, have quickly become one of the genre’s most exciting new acts. Since debuting in 2023 with “Get A Guitar”, which sold a million copies in its first week, the group has amassed numerous Rookie of the Year awards, gained acclaim from global media and secured high-profile partnerships, including their appointment as ambassadors for Louis Vuitton. Their releases throughout 2024 and 2025—from the RIIZING mini album to their full-length project “ODYSSEY”—have consistently reached million-seller status, cementing the group’s growing prominence on the world stage.
With “Fame”, RIIZE continue their upward trajectory while embracing a new level of artistic openness. The single reflects the group’s evolving identity and their commitment to connecting with listeners through honest storytelling—a quality that has become central to their meteoric rise.
“Fame”, the three-track single by RIIZE, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via SM Entertainment under exclusive license to RCA Records.
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