Maeda Riku

Maeda Riku is a Japanese singer and rapper, best known as a member of NCT Wish, the latest unit under SM Entertainment's NCT umbrella. Born in Fukui Prefecture, he debuted in February 2024 and quickly gained attention for his stable vocals and charismatic stage presence. As of 2026, he continues to promote with NCT Wish across Japan and Korea, building a loyal fanbase drawn to his earnest, hardworking attitude. Fans appreciate his bilingual fluency in Japanese and Korean, which helps him connect with audiences in both markets. Though still early in his career, Riku is seen as a promising talent within the NCT system, with potential for future solo endeavors.[edit]

Riku grew up in Fukui Prefecture, a coastal region known for its natural beauty and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. He was a quiet student but always passionate about music and dance. Inspired by SM Entertainment groups like EXO and SHINee, he decided to pursue a career in K-pop. He auditioned for SM's global auditions in Japan and passed, becoming a trainee and moving to Seoul. His training period lasted about two to three years, during which he focused on vocal performance, rap, dance, and learning Korean. He was selected as a member of the pre-debut team that would become NCT Wish and was officially revealed through SM's social media in late 2023.[edit]

Riku debuted with NCT Wish in February 2024, taking on roles as a vocalist and rapper. The group's debut single was highly anticipated as SM's first Japanese NCT unit. Over the next two years, NCT Wish released multiple singles and mini-albums, building a dedicated fanbase through promotions, variety shows, and fan meetings. Riku participated in group concerts and content creation for NCT's official channels. As of 2026, he has not pursued significant solo activities, focusing entirely on group projects. He is recognized within the group for his stable vocals and performance skills, contributing to NCT Wish's growing presence in both Japan and Korea.[edit]

Riku is known for a clean, fresh, boyish image, typical of NCT's younger units. On stage, he projects charisma and energy, but off stage he is described as shy and humble. Media often highlights his stable vocals and bilingual abilities. NCT Wish's official fandom name is WISH (also called Wishers). Fans appreciate his dedication to improvement and his heartfelt interactions during fan meetings. Since he does not have personal social media accounts, his voice is heard through group content where he speaks in a mix of Japanese and Korean, always expressing gratitude to fans.[edit]

Maeda Riku's journey from a trainee in Fukui to a central figure in NCT Wish has been marked by a fiercely protective community that rallies instantly when its members face scrutiny. The collective known as NCTzen BASIC, the sub-faction dedicated to the group, demonstrated this loyalty vividly when they mobilized to defend Riku against online criticism regarding his skin tone. This defensive unity is not merely reactive but proactive; the sheer scale of their support was on full display during a Seoul encore concert in April 2026, where the unit drew an astounding 33,000 fans, proving that Riku and his peers command a massive global stage presence despite their rookie status. His individual connection with supporters is further strengthened through official variety content like *NCT Universe: Lastart* and a robust Instagram presence where he engages directly with followers. Yet, amidst this organized enthusiasm, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated Maeda Riku without assigning him a current placement in the published rankings. He is currently the EVALUATED_UNRANKED subject within the system, meaning he holds no specific ordinal position in the Global Top 1,000 or any scope list at this time. While his fame is growing rapidly through viral moments like the visual comparison to his cousin Takahashi Ai, the data reflects a trajectory rather than a fixed rank. The narrative of his return from a hiatus in February 2025 remains a pivotal emotional beat for the fandom, showcasing deep investment in his well-being long before broader career milestones were reached.[edit]

Riku derives his stage name from the kanji 陸, which uniquely signifies both "land" and the number "six." He often credits EXO's Baekhyun and SHINee's Taemin as the primary artistic influences shaping his performance style. Although he appears reserved offstage, he channels immense energy during live acts, transforming completely under the lights. A source of deep personal pride for him is representing his hometown of Fukui Prefecture, a detail he shares warmly whenever interviewed. His training period was notably shorter than many of his peers, highlighting his natural aptitude. Beyond standard idol lore, Riku carries a significant family connection that became a focal point for fans: he is the cousin of Takahashi Ai, the legendary former leader of Morning Musume. This revelation in March 2024 sparked immediate interest across Korean and Japanese media circles due to Ai's iconic status. The narrative gained further traction in June 2026 when reports highlighted how closely Riku resembled his famous cousin, reinforcing the "idol lineage" story among followers. Another pivotal moment in his short career occurred in February 2025, marking his return from a hiatus that had worried his supporters. This event served as an emotional beat for the fandom, showcasing their deep investment in his well-being even before major crowd disruptions or physical incidents became part of his history.[edit]

Riku keeps his family life private. He has mentioned having a close relationship with his family, who supported his move to Korea for training. No public information about his parents or siblings is confirmed. He has not shared details about pets or his current household.[edit]

Riku's primary collaborators are his NCT Wish groupmates: Sion, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya. He has worked with SM Entertainment producers on NCT Wish's music. He has also interacted with senior NCT artists like NCT 127 and NCT DREAM during SM Town concerts and joint events.[edit]

As of 2026, Maeda Riku has no confirmed public romantic relationships. He has maintained a private personal life since debut, with no dating scandals or rumors. He is currently reported as single.[edit]

As a relatively new idol who debuted in 2024, Maeda Riku's financial standing is currently estimated based on group activities rather than individual ventures. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, his net worth stands at $300,000. His income streams are derived primarily from group album sales, concert tours, merchandise, and group-level endorsements. Like many trainees entering the industry, he likely began his career addressing initial debt obligations common within the SM system. However, as NCT Wish continues to gain traction across Japan and Korea, his financial situation is expected to improve alongside the unit's growing popularity. No individual endorsements or solo projects have contributed to his net worth yet, keeping his earnings tied strictly to the collective success of NCT Wish.[edit]