Riize Unveils Teaser for Debut Album Odyssey

Riize has dropped a teaser for their debut album, Odyssey, stirring anticipation among fans. The album, slated for release on May 19, is less than a month away. According to SM Entertainment, the record will feature ten tracks, and pre-orders are already underway. This marks Riize’s first release in nearly a year, following their EP Riizing in June 2024. To build hype, the group launched a dedicated social media account, Riize_Odyssey, where they plan to share song snippets and promotional photos for the album.

Eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed that the Odyssey promotional image features only six members, despite Riize originally debuting as a seven-member group. The absence stems from a 2023 scandal involving singer Seunghan, sparked by leaked photos showing him smoking and kissing a woman. Seunghan was temporarily sidelined from Riize, only to return briefly in October 2024. His comeback, however, ignited a firestorm. Korean fans called for a boycott of the group and staged protests outside SM Entertainment’s headquarters, leading to Seunghan’s second exit from Riize just two days after his reinstatement. This decision outraged international fans, including those in Russia, who felt Seunghan was treated unfairly. In Korea, such behavior—public smoking and dating—breaches cultural norms for idols, who are often expected to maintain a pristine image. Internationally, however, many viewed Seunghan’s “missteps” as trivial, arguing they wouldn’t raise an eyebrow elsewhere. Amid the fallout, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would embark on a solo career, with his debut as an independent artist scheduled for the second half of 2025.

Formed in September 2023, Riize swiftly carved a niche in the K-pop scene with hits like Get a Guitar, Love 119, and Lucky, the latter resonating strongly in Japan. In 2025, the group recorded Hug, a cover of a TVXQ classic, to celebrate SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary.