RIIZE to Drop First Japanese Single ‘Lucky’ on July 29th, A New Emotional Pop Experience
RIIZE is set to release their first Japanese single, "Lucky."
Coming out on July 29 at midnight on various global music platforms, "Lucky" showcases RIIZE's special "emotional pop" style, centered around the theme of love. The single features three tracks: "Lucky," "Be My Next," and "Same Key."
The title track "Lucky" is an upbeat funk pop song with rhythmic drums and a catchy chorus. The fun lyrics encourage boldly going after love, comparing adding an extra leaf to a three-leaf clover to make a lucky four-leaf clover.
Promotional images from the single were shared on RIIZE's official accounts starting on July 22nd, and a teaser for the "Lucky" music video was released on YouTube's SMTOWN channel at midnight on July 28th. The full "Lucky" music video will come out at the same time as the single, building excitement.
Another track, "Be My Next," is a hip-hop song with lively electric guitar, synthesizer, and energetic 808 drum sounds. The lyrics talk about the feelings at the start of a love story. The single also includes "Same Key," which was popular as RIIZE's first Japanese drama OST.
RIIZE's first Japanese single "Lucky" will also be released as a physical album in Japan on September 5, marking their Japanese debut.
Is Jisoo’s Acting the Main Problem in "Newtopia"? - Here's Why Fans Are Worried About the New Zombie Series
The new OTT series Newtopiahas faced mixed reactions, with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo's acting and a slow storyline making viewers question if the show can survive.
Released on the 7th, Newtopiaon Coupang Play promised to offer something fresh in the K-zombie genre. The drama follows an unlikely couple, Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park Jung Min), a late-blooming soldier, and his girlfriend Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), as they fight to survive in a zombie-infested Seoul.
The mix of zombies and romantic comedy sounded like an interesting twist, but the show hasn’t exactly hit the mark.
Jisoo’s second lead role after Snowdrop in 2021 was highly anticipated. But many fans and critics have been concerned about her acting, especially after she received some backlash for her unclear pronunciation and awkward expressions in her previous project.
Director Yoon Sung-hyun, aware of the concerns, said at the press preview, “Since Jisoo hadn’t acted for a long time after her last project, I was also initially worried, thinking, ‘Will she be okay?’ But Jisoo dedicated herself, doing script readings four days a week. She worked hard, and as a result, I had no doubts or difficulties. By episode 8, you'll feel that only Jisoo could have portrayed Young-joo. She did an amazing job.”
Despite his words of praise, Jisoo’s performance still left fans worried. While she showed some improvement, her portrayal of Young-joo seemed inconsistent, lacking the calmness expected from the character. However, her "girl crush" image, with her background as a "campus goddess," did add some intrigue to her role.
The main issue, however, wasn’t just Jisoo's acting. Newtopiaalso struggled with its pacing. While other recent hits like Trauma Center or Trigger grab attention right from the start, Newtopiaspent too much time in the first episode on Jae-yoon’s military life and Young-joo’s personal struggles, making it feel like a waste of time. The show failed to showcase the humor and zombie elements it promised, leaving many viewers unimpressed.
On top of that, some characters came off as annoying, like Jae-yoon’s colleague, Line Ho (Im Seong Jae), and the "unlikable" senior character Seojin-wook (played by Kang Young Seok). Even Park Jung-min didn’t do much to help the show move along, making the 57-minute episode feel even longer.
Thankfully, the show picked up pace in episode 2, finally diving into the zombie chaos. But will that be enough to save Newtopia? With the first episode still fresh in fans’ minds, the jury’s still out on whether this K-zombie drama can find its footing and deliver the thrills viewers are hoping for.
The remaining six episodes of Newtopiawill air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week. Stay tuned to see if the series can bounce back!