RIIZE’s Epic 2025: From ‘ODYSSEY’ to Global Domination! ✨ We Break Down Their Unstoppable Ascent! 🚀

Hello Korea Fam! Sophia Kim here, and it’s been an absolutely monumental year for K-pop phenoms, RIIZE. As we reflect on 2025, it’s clear this group hasn’t just walked a path; they’ve carved an entire Odyssey. Here at Hello Korea, we’ve watched every meticulous step of their journey, from their debut album to sweeping world stages, and it’s nothing short of a masterclass in growth and undeniable star power. Let’s dive into the three pivotal keywords that defined their spectacular year!

Defining Their Sound: The ‘Emotional Pop’ Evolution with ‘ODYSSEY’

At the heart of RIIZE’s 2025 was the release of their first full-length album, ‘ODYSSEY,’ back in May. This wasn’t just an album; it was a definitive statement, meticulously crafted to encapsulate their unique identity within the ever-expanding ‘Emotional Pop’ genre. Featuring ten meticulously curated tracks, including the vibrant title song ‘Fly Up’ – complete with its iconic ‘youth musical’ concept music video and flawless performance – ‘ODYSSEY’ showcased the group’s incredible versatility, seamlessly blending dance, hip-hop, and ballads into a cohesive, narrative-driven masterpiece.

The members themselves expressed immense pride. Wonbin famously stated, “If someone asks what kind of team RIIZE is, this album alone will explain everything.” Meanwhile, Anton eloquently described it as “RIIZE’s identity” and the “start of RIIZE’s journey,” a testament to the album’s profound significance in their career trajectory.

But the innovation didn’t stop there. In November, RIIZE unveiled their single ‘Fame,’ a bold exploration of their artistic ideals that presented a captivating ‘NEW RIIZE’ persona. Embracing a daring Rage-style hip-hop, they delivered a high-difficulty performance that showcased a distinct, edgy charm. This track immediately captivated global listeners, dominating year-end stages and proving their chameleon-like ability to conquer any genre with style.

Sophia’s Take: The transition from ‘ODYSSEY’s vibrant youthfulness to ‘Fame’s edgy allure demonstrates RIIZE’s sophisticated understanding of image evolution. Their aesthetic narrative is just as compelling as their music, truly couture-level artistry!

Global Stages Awaited: The ‘RIIZING LOUD’ World Tour

2025 was also the year RIIZE undeniably solidified their status as global performers. Their first world tour, ‘RIIZING LOUD,’ commenced in July, electrifying an audience of 31,000 in Seoul alone before embarking on a whirlwind journey across 21 global cities. From Hyogo and Hong Kong to Tokyo, Bangkok, New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore, RIIZE proved their mettle on every stage, connecting with fans on an unprecedented scale.

Notably, RIIZE made history as the first K-pop idol group to perform at the prestigious Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) in Texas. Their unshakeable live vocals and breathtaking performances, delivered with iconic handheld microphones, utterly dominated the stage. Local daily and weekly newspapers, the Austin American-Statesman and Dallas Observer, hailed their set as among the ‘best performances,’ cementing their international acclaim.

The future looks even brighter for their live stages. We’re buzzing with anticipation for 2026, as RIIZE is set to make history again, entering Japan’s legendary Tokyo Dome in February – the fastest K-pop boy group to do so! Their ‘RIIZING LOUD’ tour will then culminate in a grand finale at Seoul’s KSPO Dome in March, followed by appearances at the iconic Lollapalooza South America across Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. This is an unstoppable force, truly.

The Upcurve Career: Chart Dominance and Accolades

As true luxury fashion connoisseurs know, consistent growth is key to timeless appeal, and RIIZE’s 2025 career trajectory has been nothing short of a magnificent ‘upcurve.’ Their first full album, ‘ODYSSEY,’ achieved the coveted status of three consecutive million-sellers, topping the Circle Monthly Retail Album Chart and China’s QQ Music Digital Album Sales Chart, even earning a ‘Platinum’ certification. In Japan, they secured a Gold Disc ‘Gold’ certification from the Recording Industry Association and claimed #1 on Oricon’s Weekly International Album Chart. Domestically, they soared to #3 on Melon TOP100 and an incredible #1 on HOT100.

The single ‘Fame’ also saw incredible success, surpassing 10 million streams on Spotify within just two weeks of its release, showcasing their undeniable global resonance. Their talent was further recognized with the highest honor in pop culture and arts, receiving the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation at the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. The year-end awards season saw them collect an astonishing 8 trophies from major ceremonies:

• 🏆 MMA (Melon Music Awards)
• 🏆 MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards)
• 🏆 AAA (Asia Artist Awards)
• 🏆 KGMA (K-Global Heart Dream Awards)

International recognition poured in from esteemed publications like Billboard, UK’s CLASH, and DAZED, all highlighting RIIZE’s 2025 discography in their year-end round-ups. Adding another jewel to their crown, they clinched a trophy at China’s grand music awards, TIMA, solidifying their global superstar status. These impressive metrics only fuel our anticipation for the next chapter of RIIZE’s extraordinary ‘Odyssey’ in 2026.

From defining their unique sound to conquering global stages and dominating charts, RIIZE’s 2025 has been a testament to their unwavering talent and ambitious vision. We can’t wait to see what heights they’ll reach next!

Editor: Sophia Kim 💎

🇮🇩 Read in Indonesian: Click here