Get to Know ARISE!

Twin sisters JIHO and JIHU discuss going from a bigger group to a duo, life in New Zealand, their different personalities, and more!

Photo courtesy of BY-U ENTERTAINMENT

Please introduce yourselves and describe what special traits and skills you both bring to the group!
Shine as one! Hello, we are ARISE! JIHO gives uniqueness to our music with her voice, and JIHU's charisma gives power to our performances!

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? 
Our music is not going to be what everyone expects! We bring something that isn't in the industry nowadays!

Did the same experiences inspire you both to pursue music careers? 
We started dreaming of becoming K-pop idols together! Our friend back in [New Zealand] asked us if we could join her for her K-pop dance performance, and that was the start! 

Do you remember experiencing any culture shock when you first moved to New Zealand? What major differences did you notice from life in Seoul?
When we went to [New Zealand] the first time, neither of us could speak any English besides “Hello.” We still don't really know how we adapted to using English well… maybe it's the [effect of having] native friends! Seoul and [New Zealand] have very different environments, more buildings [versus] more nature. Both are great and very entertaining in their own ways!

Would you ever consider switching singer and rapper roles?
We think it would be interesting - especially for the fans to see! 

What are your interests outside of music?
We both love to draw, [and JIHU loves] to design characters and make random fashion designs for fun!

How similar or different are your personalities, and do you think those similarities or differences are present in your music or performances?
[Regarding] MBTIs, JIHU is ESFP and JIHO is ISTJ. From just [that], you can tell that our personalities are different! We don't think those differences show in our music or performances, but we believe we match each other pretty well!

Do you address each other differently when you’re in “practice mode” instead of just talking to each other as sisters?
We're very silly and energetic, but when it comes to “practice mode,” we try to focus more and stay serious. 

Was it difficult to adjust after the group became just a two-member one? 
ARISE's identity has changed quite a lot due to the fact that right now, it's not really [considered] a group. [But since] we [have been] together for a long time, it wasn't too difficult to adjust to the changes. 

Photo courtesy of BY-U ENTERTAINMENT

Please describe your new single, “RUN IT”!
“RUN IT” is a hip-hop track with JIHO's powerful rapping and JIHU's charismatic vocals. It's a song that has [the] message “We will show ourselves to the world! ARISE has arrived, and we are ready to RUN IT!”

The single album has “EP.1” in the title. Does this mean there are more “episodes” coming soon?!
We are preparing another “episode”! We can't say what it's going to be like, but it will have a different story and charm from EP.1!

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
In the short term, we’re preparing for music shows and our upcoming album, RE:BOOT EP.2. We’re also preparing for overseas performances, and we want to meet our international fans as soon as possible. In the long term, our plan is to release a full album, then appear on broadcasts, hold concerts both domestically and internationally, and go on a world tour.

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourselves or your music?
Without rushing, we want to gradually become an unforgettable artist with our music and performances. We wish to be able to have a concert for our fans, EYZ. Please continue to give ARISE lots of love and support! Thank you!

Check out ARISE’s new single here!

View the Substack version of this piece here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.