Niki, whose real name is Nishimura Riki, is a rising star from Japan and one of the standout members of the boy group ENHYPEN. Known for his captivating visuals and exceptional dancing skills, Niki is renowned for setting new standards in dance performances.
Biography
- Full Name: Nishimura Riki
- Japanese Name: にしむら りき
- Korean Name: 니시무라 리키
- Nickname: Niki
- Date of Birth: December 9, 2005
- Nationality: Japanese
- Profession: Main Dancer, Rapper
- Height: 185 cm
- Weight: 60 kg
Early Beginnings and Dream to Become an Idol
From a young age, Niki was exposed to dancing, which led him to perform on stage at Tokyo Dome as a dancer for SHINee during their SHINee World 2017 concert. Inspired by his senior, Key from SHINee, Niki decided to pursue a career as an idol. In 2019, he moved to South Korea to follow his dream.
Niki’s Journey on I-LAND
After joining Belift Lab as a trainee, Niki quickly gained attention for his impressive dance skills, often ranking high in skill evaluations. His talent earned him 90.9% of the votes to secure a spot on I-LAND. During the show’s first test, Niki confidently expressed his desire to be the center, showcasing his leadership and stage presence.
Showcasing His Dance Skill
Niki’s exceptional ability to memorize choreography in just 10 minutes made him stand out during his time on I-LAND. His quick learning and sharp performance skills earned him the center position in several performances.
ENHYPEN’s Debut and Niki’s Impact
ENHYPEN, a boy group formed through I-LAND, debuted with 7 members: Heeseung, Sunoo, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Jungwon, and Niki. Following the show, they debuted with two MVs, “Choose-Chosen” and “Dusk-Dawn”. Niki, known for his unique and bold style, quickly earned the nickname “dance machine” due to his powerful performances and remarkable dance abilities.
In November 2020, Niki officially debuted with the group through their mini-album BORDER: DAY ONE and the title track “Given-Taken.” Niki was overwhelmed by the support from fans, particularly from Japan, and vowed to continue working hard to deliver even more impressive performances in the future.
Controversies
On September 2, 2024 Ni-ki posted a landscape photo along with an encouraging message for fans on the Weverse app, urging them to push through the week as the weekend was approaching.
Ni-ki wrote: “As long as you endure until tomorrow, the weekend will be here… hwaiting Engene. Heh.” In the comments section, he had a brief exchange with a fan:
- Fan: In Korea, tomorrow is a holiday.
- Ni-ki: Tomorrow is a holiday?
- Fan: Yes, tomorrow is Samiljeol.
- Ni-ki: I’m jealous.
Ni-ki’s comment quickly sparked controversy on Korean online communities, particularly on theqoo, where it generated nearly 1,500 comments. This was due to the fact that March 1 (Samiljeol) is the day commemorating the Independence Movement against Japan, a significant holiday for the Korean people.
On March 1, 1919, the entire Korean population rose up against Japanese colonial rule, with over a thousand protests across the country, resulting in approximately 7,500 casualties. After Korea gained independence, March 1st became a national holiday.
The fact that Ni-ki is Japanese intensified the reaction from Korean netizens. Soon after, Ni-ki deleted the post and issued an apology on Weverse: “Hello, this is Ni-ki. I apologize for being careless regarding the important national holiday, Samiljeol. I have realized my mistake and immediately deleted the post. I will be more careful in the future.”
