The Pulse of K-Entertainment

Riku
ArtistSM Entertainment

Riku

Maeda Riku (前田 陸, 마에다 리쿠), known professionally as Riku, is the main rapper of NCT WISH, the Japan-focused unit that closed out NCT's long expansion plan under SM Entertainment. Born in Fukui on June 28, 2003, he entered the company through the 2022 SM Global Audition and moved quickly enough through training to become one of the most distinct performers on NCT Universe: LASTART.

Riku's appeal sits in precision. He is not built around noisy swagger. He gives NCT WISH a tighter rhythmic edge, then sharpens it with clean stage detail and quick shifts in expression. That balance has been part of the group's identity since the February 2024 debut single Wish and carried through WISHFUL, poppop, COLOR, and Ode To Love. Even during the 2024 hiatus that briefly pulled him out of activities, the official messaging around the group made clear that his place in the lineup remained intact.

Back at full strength, Riku now reads as one of the members most responsible for NCT WISH's performance snap. He links SM's training polish to the easier chemistry that makes the team work in Japan and beyond.

1 articles5 creditsDebut: February 28, 2024Japanese

Gallery

Discography

2026
Ode To LoveAlbum
2025
COLORMini Album
2025
poppopMini Album
2024
WISHFULAlbum
2024
WishSingle

Fans Also Ask

Who is Riku from NCT WISH?
Riku, born Maeda Riku on June 28, 2003 in Fukui, Japan, is the main rapper of NCT WISH. He joined SM Entertainment through the 2022 SM Global Audition and later secured his place in the final lineup through NCT Universe: LASTART.
Is Riku from NCT WISH Japanese?
Yes. Riku is Japanese and is part of the Japanese-majority lineup that defines NCT WISH. His background is central to the group's Japan-market identity, while his rap delivery helps connect that positioning back to the wider NCT performance style developed under SM Entertainment.
Why did Riku go on hiatus?
Riku temporarily stepped back from NCT WISH activities in late 2024 for health-related reasons, with the group's official channels announcing that he would focus on recovery. SM and the Japanese official site continued to frame him as part of the six-member lineup, and he later returned to full group promotions.
How did Riku join NCT WISH?
Riku first entered SM Entertainment through the 2022 global audition, then trained before appearing on NCT Universe: LASTART. The show served as the public build for NCT WISH, and Riku's performance style, stage composure, and rap tone made him one of the members who stood out early.
What songs and albums has Riku released with NCT WISH?
Riku has been part of NCT WISH's core catalog from the start. His credits include the 2024 debut single Wish, the 2024 album WISHFUL, the 2025 mini albums poppop and COLOR, and the 2026 full-length release Ode To Love, which together map the group's opening era.

Latest Articles