Rising Vietnamese Idols Uprize Unleash Their Musical Powers, Ready to Conquer the Global Stage

Uprize, Vietnam's fresh and dynamic seven-member idol group, is on a mission to redefine the boundaries of music. With their debut album, "Thăng," soaring to the top of the iTunes Vietnam chart and trending on YouTube Music, the band members - Leon, Lavm, Dylan, PN, Wonbi, Bex, and O.D - are ready to share their unique sound with the world. In an exclusive interview, Uprize emphasized that they refuse to be confined by genre or label. "We won't set limits for ourselves," Leon states emphatically, a sentiment echoed throughout the conversation. Born from the finalists of the hit Vietnamese televised talent competition "Show It All," Uprize is the country's first idol group modeled after K-pop, backed by SYE - a joint venture between YeaH1 Group and Sony Music. The band members work together collaboratively, without fixed roles in songwriting or performance, resulting in an original sound that blends their collective energy and youthfulness. "We aim to express our vitality and determination, as well as our refusal to be limited," Leon explains. "Our goal is always to explore new musical frontiers and share our confidence with our audience." The group's creative team describes "Thăng" as a title track comprised of seven interconnected musical pieces, symbolizing the collaborative process that drives Uprize's music. "We don't divide roles rigidly," Lavm says. "All members contribute to building the foundation for our songs." Uprize has been open about drawing inspiration from Korean expertise while maintaining their distinct identity. "What we bring to the table is our musical personality, our style, Vietnamese culture, and the essence of the seven of us," Lavm notes. "We see ourselves as a powerful fusion of Korean and Vietnamese influences, rather than a copy." Despite operating in an industry increasingly dominated by English-language hits, Uprize plans to continue singing primarily in Vietnamese. "English isn't our only medium for reaching global audiences," Dylan explains. "People from all over the world enjoy Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Brazilian music without understanding the language, because they can feel the energy and emotion. We are proudly Vietnamese, and we want the Vietnamese language to be part of our journey." The partnership with Sony Music has been a crucial aspect of Uprize's launch, providing valuable support that has strengthened rather than altered their initial aspirations. "We're incredibly grateful for Sony Music's investment and companionship," Dylan says. "Our dream hasn't changed, but with this backing, it has become more achievable and clearer." Performance lies at the heart of Uprize's identity, with their energetic stage presence captivating audiences at events like Coca-Cola Fest and the 10-hour Y Concert marathon. "Our performances are an extension of our studio sessions," PN explains. "The music moves us, and it inspires our stage presence. We want to dance with the rhythm and enjoy ourselves on stage." Asked about their broader message beyond entertainment, PN points to their dedicated fanbase, known as Rizer, and the shared experiences of young people navigating pressure and change. "We're a group of passionate music lovers who care about our fans and the community," PN says. "If given the opportunity, we'd be honored to represent the power of youth and share our struggles with our audience." Bex highlights Rizer's early support as a significant milestone in Uprize's journey, noting that they sold out their pre-order run before the album's official release. "That achievement is something we're incredibly proud of," Bex says. "It's also sparked curiosity among fans around the world." Wonbi views the scrutiny of being one of Vietnam's first idol-model boy bands as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden. "We won't shy away from pressure - we're proactive, and we're ready to embrace it," Wonbi says. "The greater the pressure, the stronger our resolve will be. We're here to face challenges, to overcome them, and to prove ourselves through our music." When asked which song they would play for a listener encountering V-pop for the first time, Uprize points to their powerful title track, "Thăng," whose music video depicts each member with a unique superpower, reflecting their collective strength. "We wanted to show our progress since the show, and 'Thăng' encapsulates our musical spirit and identity as a group," O.D explains. Looking ahead, Uprize plans to extend beyond Vietnam, with YeaH1 Group organizing a world tour later this year, including a U.S. stop under the banner "V-Beyond." The band views this concert series as a stepping stone toward the global stage. "We're incredibly excited," PN says. "In the coming time, Uprize will perform and release our second album as soon as possible. In the U.S., it's all new to us. Through 'V-Beyond,' we want to gain a deeper understanding of our audience and the market, and to experience something truly extraordinary."