Rather than debut with a mini or full album, RIIZE have blitzed the market with digital singles. While it’s nice to promote music more often, I firmly believe that — during the first year of a rookie’s debut — every song needs to be a stone-cold classic. Like… one mega-hit after another to quickly cement their status. This is easier said than done, but RIIZE’s wobbly trajectory still worries me.
After debuting with the one-two punch of Memories and Get A Guitar, the group’s sound feels in flux. SM Entertainment’s throwing whatever they can at the wall, and in the case of Love 119 that comes dangerously close to “NCT b-side” material. The idea of a soft, emotional winter single is smart, but Love 119 doesn’t lean far enough in this direction. Instead of the melodic approach suggested by the verses, the track centers itself around a boisterous chant.
What do we do about all this chanting?? I don’t automatically hate chanting as a musical approach, but for whatever reason every K-pop group who uses it ends up sounding exactly the same. It’s become such a cloying, canned sound. Love 119‘s chorus would have worked much better with a more nuanced approach — maybe a softer spoken-word delivery rather than shouting at the top of their lungs. After all, the rhythm is catchy and I like the gentle piano that supports it. Love 119‘s moody soundscape fits the season well and RIIZE are clearly gifted vocalists, but so far their batting average is frustratingly inconsistent.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Do you mean “every song needs to be a stone-cold classic”? You forgot the s after need.
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There’s also a missing word between “after” and “debuted”.
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Thanks. Gosh… I guess I was too caught up in my feelings to make grammatical sense lol
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Never mind this reply. I didn’t realize it was supposed to be debuting instead of debuted. It’s okay, the article’s all good now.
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it sounds like an outtake for NCT DREAM’s Candy EP, judging by the song’s winter vibe and some of the producers (David Wilson, MZMC and dwilly).
I like it, verses are really good, I love the adlibs and most importantly Sohee’s high notes… but the chorus could’ve been stronger and the chanting turned into a post-chorus or at least a refrain.
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Anyways, my thoughts about the song. I do like the song, I just wish it was more melodic and had a better chorus. I really thought 2024 would be done with chanting.
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is it just me or this song feels scattered and unfinished? Like they created snippets and just mashed them together with zero coherence?? i feel like they tried to follow the memories formula but forgot the amazing chorus and the bursts of power and joy. idk it’s just kinda boring??? even after 5 listens i cannot remember anything about this song. while i didn’t like talk saxy on the first listen the bridge had me in a chokehold so much so that i quickly grew to love the whole song. what is this… disappointing…
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end shout a thons….pls
8/10 for me
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By far my least favorite RIIZE song… I honestly think it would’ve been a better track if the chanted chorus was the post-chorus. Then, in place of, we get an actual sung chorus that tugs my heartstrings.
I’ll give it to them for having a great cinematic MV for the song.
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damn, the chanting chorus is really disonant with the verses. 😖
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I feel like the song is trying to do too much. It sounds like it is trying to be the obligatory soft romantic song release on cue so many after the initial debut, but be a mid-tempo instead of slow, but be sung with beautiful falsettos, but retain the SM trademark NCT sound, but sing as solos, but have the chant as a chorus.
In the end, its just too cluttered, too over thought.
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This track, with its sampling of one of Korea’s most enduring ballad hits, will probably a better fit for the domestic audience in the same way wispy coffeehouse consistently performs.
The verses and general vibe are really quite nice, but yeah, an iconic chorus would really seal the deal.
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I can just sense the tingling frustration in the air on this post😅. Yes they do be causing worries with this one, I was in with the teasers that showed a lovely melody, something of a caffee vibe in winter, and then today here I am taken aback with this chanting as you said. Reaaally hope this is the first and last miss of this year, and that this becomes a grower because I can’t remember a single verse yet.
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I’m glad the tingling frustration was evident! haha
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Each of Riize’s releases are so different, I still have no idea what the group’s sound actually is. They could release something like NCT’s Cherry Bomb next time around and it wouldn’t feel like a surprise. I don’t believe every song needs to be a massive hit in the first year. Having one and some moderate hits is good enough. But what I do absolutely believe a group needs is a clear sonic direction so that when the group has a comeback, listeners can automatically say “yes, this sounds like X.”
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I should clarify that when I say “hit” I don’t mean in the commercial sense. In the first year or so, there just isn’t much room for bland or filler releases. New groups should be leading with their very best material, song after song. After they’re established, I think there’s more room for branching out into other sounds and approaches.
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Another middling release.
I’ve come to accept that Siren was nothing more than a taste of something we’ll never have.
I’ll be fairly disappointed if this continues, but they’ll get another chance, lol.
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I like this a bit, not Get A Guitar good, but pretty decent. I think the chanting and mid-tempo beat kinda work here, mostly as a first generation mid-tempo sound.
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The music video is really engaging, and it has you wondering why they are all so upset.
Unfortunately though, the song itself lacks that emotion.
Where’s the big OST-esque chorus?
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This slayed so hard so idc or gaf if you disagree.
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Nice to meet you, too!
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First time commenting here, but I’ve lurked for a while!
This song would have been sooo good if the “119 119, save my life…” part was sung in a whispery way. There’re these nice ad-libs in the chorus, but you just can’t hear them because of the chanting.
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And this song is now gaining momentum, climbing up charts after weeks of release. Maybe your taste is not GP’s taste.
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This song has actually grown on me a lot. It will be featured in my “Risers and Faller” post this weekend.
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