Latest news with #Riize
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
XngHan Steps Into the Spotlight With Superb Solo Debut: 'It's A New Beginning for Me'
'I'm very excited,' K-pop star XngHan tells The Hollywood Reporter about his solo debut. 'My heart swoons.' The 21-year-old, officially making his solo debut today with his artist project XngHan and Xoul, is equal parts excited and optimistic on a Zoom call from his label SM Entertainment's Seoul headquarters as he speaks of his new chapter as a soloist. More from The Hollywood Reporter Foo Fighters' New Drummer Revealed (Exclusive) Jess Glynne Criticizes White House for Using Viral Jet2 Holiday Sound in Deportation Meme: "Makes Me Sick" Avex Music Group and S10 Report Early 2025 Chart Successes XngHan's debut has been highly anticipated by much of the K-pop community. Late last year, it was announced that the K-pop star, who previously went by his name Seunghan, would be leaving the boy group Riize, just days after the news of his return from a lengthy hiatus. When it was later announced that he'd be debuting as a soloist, XngHan received genuine well wishes from fans across various K-pop fandoms – somewhat of a rarity in online music spaces these days. XngHan's first single, 'Waste No Time,' is a pitch-perfect choice for his debut track. As the singer puts it, the 'refreshing' summer song talks of not wasting any time and spreading his 'boundless wings' – perhaps a perfect parallel to XngHan himself, who seems eager to tackle this new chapter head-on. The single is accompanied by a B-Side, 'Heavenly Blue,' is similarly catchy and the perfect soundtrack for a sunny summer day. XngHan contributed to writing lyrics and choreographing for the song. Below, the XngHan speaks with THR about 'Waste No Time' and 'Heavenly Blue,' his exit from Riize and what his hopes for the future. I think there are a lot of people who are eager to hear how you're doing these days. How are you feeling ahead of your debut? I made sure that I worked out. I've been practicing my dance skills and also my vocals, so that I can keep everything rolling and going. My solo debut is just around the corner, so I'm very excited. My heart swoons. You seem very happy. To talk about your future, I think we need to talk a bit about the past. How are you feeling, looking back on what I assume has been an at times difficult year? How do you feel looking ahead? I used that time to look back on myself. I think it was a time given to me for more self-improvement, so I was really using that time to make sure that I got better at stuff. I think it was a time where I was trying to get ready for a new start, so I think all the things I learned along the way are definitely going to be something that I can use going forward as a fuel, so I'm very excited and looking forward to my debut as a soloist. I think there are a lot of people who are really excited to see you debut and have been waiting for it since your time with Riize. Although you're no longer with Riize, you worked and trained alongside them. Do you have any wishes for them? But also what hopes do you have for yourself as a soloist? I know that Riize is doing so well, and] I'm rooting for them as a fellow artist. I hope they stay healthy and well. [Since] I'm also preparing my new launch as a soloist, I hope people stay tuned [for my debut]. I'm really going to pour my heart and soul into this. Why was it so important for you to change your stage name? Do you see this as opening a new chapter for you? Yeah, it's exactly as you said. I think it's a new chapter for me, a new challenge for me, and I'm very much looking forward to it. The reason why I wanted to include the letter X is because it symbolizes infinite potentials, [an] infinity of possibilities. It's also the unknown variable when it comes to mathematical formulas. I think it symbolizes that I am now opening up the doors to all the different potentials and possibilities that I could dig into. I wanted to use this letter X to show that. I think with this new artist brand, I can show you different facets of myself. How has your training been? What do you feel like you've been focusing on in terms of practicing for your debut 'Waste No Time' the most? I guess the focus in training for this single was that it had to be fun. It's a very vibing kind of song, so I wanted to give it that refreshing mood and vibe. Especially since it's a summer song. Actually, the good thing was that it wasn't very challenging to get ready for these songs. It was actually a very fun experience for me, especially since I got to work together with Xoul, the dance crew comprised of two people. It was really fun. It was almost like we were just playing around, but we were making something and creating something. I felt very much at ease preparing for the songs. Can you tell me about your collaboration with Xoul? Do you find yourself feeling a little more comfortable working alongside them, given you've previously worked in a group setting? Yeah, it's definitely a lot more comfortable [especially] because our interests align. These are two professional dancers, so all three of us are bonded by our love and passion for dance. We would be working [on choreography], but we'd also be having a lot of fun dancing. It just made me feel so comfortable and at home working together with them. How did this concept that you would have a dance crew with you come about? Why did you feel it made the most sense for you right now? I thought long and hard about with whom I should collaborate, and I think my top priority was to bring to the table something new, something refreshing, something people haven't seen before. I myself love trying new things and that's how we got to brainstorming ideas. Then I thought my forte is definitely performance, so why don't I start from there and gather a group of professional dancers, and that's how I gathered my first batch of Xoul. How do you envision this looking like for you going forward in the future? One of the ideas that I have in mind… I've always had this dream of creating a band, so that could be one idea. But right now I'm going to really focus on the Xoul dancers. We're just going to nail the performances. I have a lot of time ahead of me, and I think I have a lot of potential, a lot of possibilities. I'm going to open it up to all the different things that I could do. Do you feel you've had any big changes in the way you work? Did you realize any new strengths during your debut preparation? When I was working on this debut, there's the B-side track called 'Heavenly Blue,' and I contributed to writing the lyrics for the song. I also created the choreography together with Xoul. It was my first time trying to pen the words of my own song, and I realized that I'm actually pretty good at it. I think I do have a little bit of a forte in writing [lyrics]. I think for any soloist, it's a bit daunting, having to figure out who you'll be as a singer. What was that process like for you? I'd like to be a soloist who appears the same on and off stage. I changed the S in my name to an X, but it's actually not that different sonically because it's still Seunghan. I want to be a soloist who can really be his true self on stage and show his true colors and essence. That's what I'm trying to go for. 'Waste No Time' is so much fun and a great debut single. Why did you feel like it was the right fit? The genre of the track is electronic dance, which incorporates a wide range of sounds. That's something I liked about the song, and it was in line with the kind of concept that I wanted to go with. When I thought about performance, I thought this was a song that could really mesh well with the performance that I can show on stage. When I heard the demo of the song, I knew right away that this was the right one. From the very beginning, I really wanted this song to be my debut track. Can you tell me a bit about working on choreography for this project and what that experience was like? To be honest, it was quite challenging in the beginning because it was my first time and [Xoul's] first time collaborating. We all had our own style, so it was very hard to come to a consensus in the beginning. But I realized that I was the one who had to lead the debate, so I orchestrated [the process] between us three, and they were very happy to give me a lot of ideas. I was happy to share my ideas, even the very bizarre ones. We had a lot of fun sharing and tossing around ideas and coming up with the choreography. To look ahead – you're at a new starting line, which can be nerve-wrecking but at the same time, very exciting. What are you hoping the future looks like for you as a soloist? What are your aspirations for the year ahead? Maybe it's a little early to say this, but my ultimate dream and goal is to drop an album where I creatively contributed in all the different aspects of all the tracks, including the choreography and writing the lyrics and the composition of the songs. That's my ultimate dream. [Also] to have that album drop and perform it live and receive the love and support of the fans. That's my dream. As an artist, people's perception of you is often out of your control, but you're a human being and an artist. You've put a great deal of work into this debut and likely have an idea of how you want people to feel. How are you hoping to be viewed as an artist? I just hope that when fans watch my performance and see me performing live, they get so excited and happy. They can't help but dance. That's what I want the fans to view me as. When I'm on stage, I want to be remembered as an artist who just lights the stage on fire and nails every performance. Speaking of fans, do you have a message to the fans who have been eagerly awaiting your debut and supporting you from afar for a while now? Thank you for the long wait. Because the wait was so long, I created music that was worth the wait. I hope you stay tuned and really enjoy the music. I'm really going to pour my heart and soul into the promotion for this album. I hope you love the music and love me too. I'd like to give you the chance to close a chapter for yourself. Is there anything you'd like to add about your exit from Riize and about your debut? [My solo debut is] a new beginning for me, so I hope everyone can look at me from a fresh perspective. I'm going to try my hardest to burn the soloist XngHan into your brain. I'm going to work hard to do that. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Seunghan's Dual-Sided Debut: Exploring Summer Vibes with 'Waste No Time' and 'Heavenly Blue'
From Riize to Solo Star Seunghan The Summer We Needed: Seunghan 's Dual-Sided Debut Seunghan launched his solo career on July 31, 2025, with the digital single "Waste No Time." The title track shines with bright, addictive electronic dance beats, perfectly capturing the lively energy of summer days. The B-side, "Heavenly Blue," delivers a dreamy, emotional vibe evoking the calm and mystique of summer nights. These songs together illustrate the vibrant contrast of a summer day and night, expressing Seunghan's honest connection to youth. Not Just Back-up: The Birth of 'Seunghan & Soul' With a deep passion for dance, Seunghan formed his own creative crew 'Seunghan & Soul' alongside two peers. This group transcends traditional backup dancers, focusing on freedom and authentic performance. Notably, the choreography of "Heavenly Blue" was co-created with fans, emphasizing a casual, free-spirited style where everyone dances their own way. From Idol Pressure to Mongolia's Wild Winds: The MV Experience The music video was shot in Mongolia's vast natural landscapes, where Seunghan and his crew run freely across sprawling fields, visually symbolizing youthful freedom after a period of challenges. Recording was demanding due to complex rhythms and lyrics, but the resulting music exudes clarity and energy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo A New Chapter: Dreams Beyond Groups Looking ahead, Seunghan plans to explore band projects and diverse musical styles. He spends time refining his songwriting through reading and listening broadly. To his fans, he expresses gratitude with the line from "Heavenly Blue," "You're not the light, but you brighten me," highlighting his heartfelt connection. His journey is one of resilience and renewal. About Seunghan Seunghan, born Hong Seung-han in 2003, first gained recognition as a main dancer and vocalist in the K-pop group Riize under SM Entertainment. After leaving Riize in 2024 due to controversies, he dedicated himself to a solo career. Known for his strong vocals and powerful dance skills, he continues to develop creatively with his crew 'Seunghan & Soul.' His story is one of overcoming adversity and inspiring new beginnings.
Korea Herald
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Riize announces North American leg of tour
Riize is slated to visit eight cities in the US and Mexico for its ongoing international tour 'Riizing Loud,' label SM Entertainment announced Monday. The band expanded its tour to North America, adding seven stops in the US — including New York and Seattle to Los Angeles — as well as Mexico City. The tour will now hold concerts across 22 cities around the world through February. The group kicked off the tour in Seoul on July 4-6 with three shows that drew more than 30,000 concertgoers. Over the weekend, it went live in Hong Kong and will head over to Saitama, Japan, this week for a two-show gig. The band released its first full album, 'Odyssey,' in May and sold close to 1.8 million copies in the first week. The main track from the album, 'Fly Up,' picked up five television music chart show trophies in Korea.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
K-pop Group Riize Announces Venues and Ticketing Details for North American Tour Leg (Exclusive)
K-pop group Riize is heading out on tour this fall, stopping at the Peacock Theater, The Theater at Madison Square Garden and more venues across North America, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned. The boy group announced the North American leg of their first solo tour, Riizing Loud, last week, with stops in eight cities across the U.S. and Mexico. The group is heading to the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois, on Oct. 30 for the first night of the tour leg before traveling to New York's The Theater at MSG and D.C.'s The Anthem. The group's last U.S. stop is in L.A. at the Peacock Theater; they'll then head to Mexico City for a night at the Velódromo Olímpico. More from The Hollywood Reporter KCON L.A. Returns - How to Secure the Best Ticket Deals (and Stream the Festival Online for Free) Kelly Clarkson Just Kicked Off Her Vegas Residency - Here's How to Save on Last-Minute Tickets The Best U.S. Music Festivals of 2025, from Lollapalooza to Ohana Fest 'We're excited to connect and get closer with Briize (official name for fans) from even more places through our North American tour,' Riize said in an exclusive statement to THR. The group is expected to perform all songs from their recently release full-length album, Odyssey, in the U.S. for the first time during the tour. 'Since this is our first solo concert, the number of songs we'll perform on stage has increased compared to last year's fan concert, so we're all focusing on keeping our energy up and are also studying languages,' the group continued. 'We're working hard to prepare a show that Briize will love, so please look forward to it.' Riize kicked of the Riizing Loud tour earlier this month with three sold-out shows in Seoul, South Korea. The three concerts drew over 31,000 fans, according to a release. Tickets for the tour, which is being produced by the group's Korean label SM Entertainment and promoted by AEG Presents, are set to go on sale for the general public on Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. local time. Fans can register for an early presale on Weverse, the Hybe-owned fan platform, beginning Wednesday, July 17 at 4 p.m. PT. Fan presale will be held Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. local time, while local and AEG presale begins Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. local time. Presales end Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. local time. The full details for Riize's upcoming North American leg of the Riizing Loud tour are below. Riizing Loud in North America 2025 Dates and Venues: Oct. 30 in Rosemont, IL, at the Rosemont Theatre Nov. 1 in New York at The Theater at Madison Square Garden Nov. 2 in Washington, D.C., at The Anthem Nov. 4 in Duluth, GA, at the Gas South Arena Nov. 7 in Seattle at WAMU Theater Nov. 9 in San Francisco at The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Nov. 11 in L.A. at the Peacock Theater Nov. 14 in Mexico City at Velódromo Olímpico Riizing Loud in North America Ticketing Timeline: July 17 at 4 p.m. PT through July 30 at 8 p.m. PT: Fan club presale registration is held on Weverse Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. local time: Fan presale begins Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. local time: Local and AEG presale begins Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. PT: Presales end Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. local time: General on-sale begins Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Korea Herald
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Riize stays atop Oricon chart with 1st LP
The first full album from Riize maintained the No. 1 spot on Oricon's Weekly International Album Ranking, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday. LP 'Odyssey' has swept a series of major music charts in Japan since its release in May. The album sold over 1.79 million copies in the first week, the year's highest sales for a K-pop album at the time. The boy band performed all songs from the LP at its two concerts in Kobe, Japan last week, along with 'Same Key,' which is part of its first single album in the country, 'Lucky.' The band is in the middle of international tour 'Riizing Loud' which will take it to Hong Kong this weekend, and 11 more cities, including seven in the US as well as Mexico City. The tour began earlier this month in Seoul and the three-date show drew more than 30,000 fans in total.
