ArtistSM Entertainment
Riku
Maeda Riku (前田 陸 / 마에다 리쿠), born June 28, 2003 in Fukui, Japan, is the main rapper of NCT WISH (엔시티 위시), SM Entertainment's Japanese-majority NCT sub-unit. Standing 174.8 cm tall with blood type AB and an ISFP personality, Riku was cast through the 2022 SM Global Audition and trained for approximately one year before securing his place in the group through NCT Universe: LASTART, where his sharp delivery and stage presence set him apart from the competition.
His role models are his younger sister and NCT's Mark, whose versatility across rap and dance shaped Riku's own approach to performance. He lists watching animations and movies among his hobbies, and his most treasured possessions are letters from people he loves. Riku took a hiatus from NCT WISH's activities during part of 2024 for personal reasons before returning to full participation in early 2025. Since then, he has appeared across all of the group's releases: poppop (April 14, 2025), COLOR (September 1, 2025), and the upcoming full-length debut Ode To Love (April 20, 2026). He has said that if he had not become an artist, he would have worked at a bakery -- a reflection of his understated, grounded character.
1 articles3 creditsDebut: February 28, 2024Japanese
Gallery
Discography
2026
Ode To LoveAlbum
2024
WishfulAlbum
2024
WishSingle
Fans Also Ask
Who is Riku from NCT WISH?
Riku, full name Maeda Riku (前田 陸), born June 28, 2003, is the main rapper of NCT WISH, SM Entertainment's Japanese NCT sub-unit. He was cast through the 2022 SM Global Audition and trained for approximately one year before competing on NCT Universe: LASTART to join the final lineup.
Is Riku from NCT WISH Japanese?
Yes, Riku is Japanese. His full name is Maeda Riku (前田 陸) and he was born on June 28, 2003. Five of the six NCT WISH members, including Riku, are Japanese, making NCT WISH SM Entertainment's most internationally composed NCT sub-unit.
Why did Riku go on hiatus?
Riku took a hiatus from NCT WISH's activities during part of 2024 for undisclosed personal reasons. He returned to full participation in 2025 and has been active with the group since, including as part of the lead-up to their debut full-length album Ode To Love in 2026.
How was Riku selected for NCT WISH?
Riku was cast through the 2022 SM Global Audition and trained with the label for approximately one year. He then competed on the survival show NCT Universe: LASTART, where he was selected as one of the six members to debut in NCT WISH, SM Entertainment's final NCT sub-unit.
