Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop group RIIZE in a backstage photo from the Manila stop of their 'RIIZING LOUD' concert tour at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2026. Photo from RIIZE's X account

Article (news)

RIIZE returns to PH with thrilling performances, playful pick-up lines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768715724289RIIZE.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop group RIIZE in a backstage photo from the Manila stop of their &#x27;RIIZING LOUD&#x27; concert tour at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2026. <em>Photo from RIIZE&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The members of RIIZE still speak fondly of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/7/17/riize-s-1st-ph-outing-fans-energy-exceeds-expectations-1307"><strong>first time they performed</strong></a> in the Philippines. Shotaro even recalled a milestone from the 2024 stop of their “RIIZING DAY” fan concert tour, when they performed “Boom Boom Bass” for the very first time on tour.</p><p>But beyond the career firsts, what lingered most for the six-piece was the passion of the Filipino BRIIZE. That same fervor surged through the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday as RIIZE returned for their “RIIZING LOUD” concert tour, greeted by thunderous cheers that made the reunion feel instantly familiar.</p><p>“Because of your loud screams and cheers, the mic is bouncing off,” Shotaro said via an interpreter after his group kicked off the night with the high-energy “Ember to Solar” and “Siren,” followed by the headbang-inducing pop-rock anthem “Combo.”</p><p>“I remember when we were here last time, your passion and cheers were just amazing,” he said.</p><p>His bandmate, Eunseok, added: “After our fan con, we were actually looking forward so much to be back. It feels like I can totally feel the emotions I felt from our previous visit.”</p><p>Sohee, the group’s main vocalist, even noted that the audience truly lived up to the tour’s title, “RIIZING LOUD.”</p><p>The crowd’s enthusiasm was so palpable that, even while the members were on standby backstage minutes before the concert’s start, Wonbin shared, “I could totally hear how loud your cheers were.”</p><p>“I love how this vibe is right now so I hope until the end, we’ll continue with these exciting cheers,” Wonbin said.</p><p>Not that Wonbin even needed to ask because throughout the nearly three-hour concert, the Filipino fans poured out their excitement at seeing RIIZE: singing along with the group, bursting into giggles or shrieks at almost every little endearing thing the boys did, and even jumping to the hype tracks.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTnXrkEk8T9/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1026&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A5080922.000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1059" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong>Fueled by fans’ energy</strong></div><p>It was the fans’ energy, the members later shared, that fueled them onstage. And it was easy to see why, given the intensity of some of the performances: gorgeous harmonies and charismatic raps paired with physically demanding choreographies, marked by ever-shifting formations and intricate footwork.</p><p>By the end, the concert felt like a continuous exchange of energy that left both the boys and their fans exhilarated.</p><p>At one point, Anton even told the crowd: “We can hear you guys through our in-ears, you know.”</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:514px;height:835px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2012523897724272910&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-01-18T03%3A57%3A53.741977%3A82af3b3d-a723-4cd7-8810-b22381cd83e3%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=6e9530b2ee65790f512e817000af2cc31f2ae1c7&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="2012523897724272910"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>Among these rousing numbers were the openers, along with the sublime house-influenced “Impossible”; latest bangers like “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/11/24/k-pop-group-riize-returns-with-single-fame-1742"><strong>Fame</strong></a>” and “Bag Bad Back”; funky fan favorites like “Get A Guitar” and “Boom Boom Bass”; and the 1950s rock-and-roll–inspired “Fly Up” that transformed the stage into something akin to a mini musical, complete with show-stopping choreography. </p><p>The group also paid homage to labelmates EXO with a cover of the hard-hitting 2016 single “Monster.”</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:514px;height:764px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2012528295297044698&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-01-18T03%3A57%3A53.741977%3A82af3b3d-a723-4cd7-8810-b22381cd83e3%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=6e9530b2ee65790f512e817000af2cc31f2ae1c7&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="2012528295297044698"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>There were also more laid-back moments that allowed the members’ vocals to shine, including “Midnight Mirage,” “Show Me Love,” their cover of TVXQ’s 2003 debut single “Hug,” the main show closer “Another Life,” and selections from the encore set.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Pick-up lines</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Beyond the music, the boyishly handsome members of RIIZE brought plenty of “kilig” to their Filipino fans, each one delivering a swoon-worthy pick-up line.</p><p>“Keyboard ka ba?” asked Sungchan, the first of the six to give it a go, prompting the crowd to respond, “Bakit?”—before he dropped the line: “Kasi type kita.”</p><p>During Shotaro’s turn, he said, “Ginising mo kasi ang natutulog kong puso,” accidentally delivering the punchline first. Realizing his slip, the Japanese member sank to his knees in embarrassment before trying again, finally asking, “Alarm clock ka ba?” first.</p><p>The dashing Eunseok teased, “Siomai ka ba? Kasi I siomai love to you,” followed by Wonbin’s cheeky, “Ube ka ba? Kasi I only want ‘U, beh.’”</p><p>Sohee went next with, “Math ka ba? Kasi sa’yo ang bagsak ko,” before the soft-spoken youngest, Anton, capped the segment with, “Water ka ba? Kasi my love for you is tubig.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768715774678RIIZE2.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">RIIZE and their dancers take a photo with the crowd. <em>Photo from RIIZE&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘The best’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Before closing the show—presented by CDM Entertainment—with “One Kiss” and “Inside My Love,” the boys took turns praising and thanking the fans for their energy, while sharing their hope to return someday at a bigger venue with an even larger crowd.</p><p>&quot;Since our soundcheck [before the concert], we really felt your energy, which got us excited for the main show. And I can totally feel that Manila, you&#x27;re the best,&quot; Shotaro said.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s been a while since we came back but still, your energy has just been incredible, that&#x27;s why while we were on stage, we really had fun as well,&quot; he added.</p><p>For Wonbin, the crowd’s heartfelt cheers inspired them to deliver equally sincere performances, while Sungchan said, “Manila BRIIZE, I think your voices are beautiful, just as beautiful as your smiles.” Eunseok, meanwhile, described the night as “a great memory to cherish.”</p><p>“We can never forget our Manila concert tonight. Seriously, with no lie, we could totally feel all of your cheers and energy one by one, and that keeps RIIZE singing and dancing,” Sohee said.</p><p>Anton reflected on the group’s packed schedule over the past months, with their tour, year-end award ceremonies, and “preparing for this and that.”</p><p>“But seeing you guys always gives us a lot of energy, the energy to keep on going,” Anton said.</p><p>“I think because you guys are so amazing tonight, we will be able to come back someday. And when we do, as all the members mentioned, I really wanna see each and every one of your faces again,” he added, before promising to return and asking the fans to promise that they would be there to see the group again.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Setlist</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Ember to Solar</p><p>Siren</p><p>Combo</p><p>Memories</p><p>Be My Next (Korean version)</p><p>Lucky (Korean version)</p><p>Midnight Mirage</p><p>Hug (TVXQ cover)</p><p>Sticky Like</p><p>Love 119</p><p>9 Days</p><p>Show Me Love</p><p>Honestly</p><p>Talk Saxy</p><p>Impossible</p><p>Fame</p><p>Monster (EXO cover)</p><p>Bag Bad Back</p><p>Get A Guitar</p><p>Boom Boom Bass</p><p>Fly Up</p><p>Another Life</p><p>The End of the Day</p><p>One Kiss</p><p>Inside My Love</p>

<p>RIIZE returned to the Philippines with their 'RIIZING LOUD' concert tour, delivering exhilarating performances and kilig-inducing moments as they playfully shared Filipino pick-up lines.</p>

RIIZE returned to the Philippines with their 'RIIZING LOUD' concert tour, delivering exhilarating performances and kilig-inducing moments as they playfully shared Filipino pick-up lines.