Anton Opens Up to His Father About His Biggest Dream for RIIZE

RIIZE's Anton has opened up about his deepest musical aspiration: writing a song for his own group. In a candid appearance on the YouTube channel YojeongJaehyung, the 22-year-old idol sat beside his famous father, legendary Korean singer-songwriter Yoon Sang, and gave fans a rare look into the bond — and the shared love of music — that connects this remarkable father and son.

The episode, titled "Thank You, Father. Thank You, Son," brought together host Jeong Jae-hyung, Yoon Sang, and Anton in a warm conversation that quickly became the talk of K-pop communities. What started as lighthearted banter took a heartfelt turn when Anton quietly admitted that his ultimate goal as a composer is to craft a track worthy of RIIZE.

A Songwriter's Dream, Shared on Camera

When Jeong Jae-hyung asked Anton which artist he would most like to write a song for, the youngest member of RIIZE did not hesitate. "Honestly, someday I want to write a song for RIIZE," Anton said, his voice carrying both shyness and genuine conviction. He added that he also dreams of eventually penning something for superstar IU — then laughed and flashed a hand-heart pose at the mention of her name, charming both the hosts and the camera.

But Anton was careful not to put pressure on himself. "There is still so much about music that I do not know," he said. "I need time. Right now, my priority is my activities as a RIIZE member — I do not think I need to rush." For fans of RIIZE, who debuted under SM Entertainment in September 2023, the idea of Anton contributing original music to the group is a thrilling prospect. The group has already carved out a devoted international fanbase with singles like "Get A Guitar" and "Love 119," and their growing reputation for polished performances sets a high bar for any future self-written material.

The Gift That Moved His Father

Before the musical revelations, the episode warmed hearts with a simpler moment. Host Jeong Jae-hyung noticed the sleek watch on Yoon Sang's wrist and complimented it. Yoon Sang beamed. "My son flexed on me," he said proudly, referring to Anton's surprise gift. He then leaned over and gently ruffled Anton's hair before adding with a grin, "It is second-hand, actually — he knew I love watches." The room erupted in laughter, and Anton looked bashfully pleased with himself.

It was not the first time Yoon Sang had publicly praised his son's thoughtfulness. Earlier this week on the KBS2 variety show Rooftop Problem Solvers, Yoon Sang revealed that Anton used his very first paycheck to buy his parents gifts: a watch for his father and a separate present for his mother, acclaimed actress Sim Hye-jin. "He did not even show me his bank account," Yoon Sang joked. "But after that first settlement, he came home with a watch for me and something for his mom. I was completely caught off guard."

A Year Spent Together During COVID

The YojeongJaehyung conversation also circled back to a formative period that both father and son describe as pivotal. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anton relocated to Seoul to train with SM Entertainment — and the two lived together in a small apartment for a full year. They were almost entirely alone, since Anton's mother and younger brother were still based abroad.

"That year, I really got to know him," Yoon Sang said. "He was still teenager age, and we were both on edge. His training was not going the way he wanted, and I was dealing with my own things. His mother was overseas, so there was no one to mediate." He paused, then broke into a proud smile. "But he proved me wrong on everything I worried about."

Anton echoed the sentiment. "It was probably the first time in my life I spent a real stretch of time with just my dad. I learned a lot about him during that year — things I had never known before. It mattered a lot to me." The candid reflection drew a visibly touched reaction from host Jeong Jae-hyung, who said, "Even that sounds enviable."

From Skeptic to Proud Father

Yoon Sang's journey from concerned parent to vocal cheerleader is itself a story worth telling. When Anton first announced he wanted to become a K-pop idol, Yoon Sang admitted he was genuinely worried — not out of lack of support, but because he understood the industry's demands better than most. "Not everyone who wants to be an idol gets to be one," he said. "Music and idol activities are different things. Of course I was concerned."

His biggest worry, he confessed with a laugh, was dancing. "There is no dancing in our family," he said. Yoon Sang, one of Korea's most celebrated musicians since the 1990s, built his legacy on music composition and production, not choreography. Watching his son nail precise group formations and synchronized routines on stage was something he never could have predicted.

Three years into RIIZE's career, Yoon Sang says that anxiety has been replaced by pure pride. "Now when I watch him on stage, the energy is completely different. He has grown so much." Anton joined RIIZE as its youngest member and has evolved from a slightly reserved newcomer into one of the group's most expressive and confident performers — a transformation his father has watched from the audience.

At the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, Anton and Yoon Sang actually shared the stage in a moment that moved fans deeply. It is the kind of memory, Yoon Sang suggested, that makes every worried night of a gireogi appa — the Korean term for a father who lives separately while his family is abroad — worth it.

A Family Legacy Still Being Written

The musical thread running through this family does not stop with Yoon Sang and Anton. During his appearance on Rooftop Problem Solvers earlier in the week, Yoon Sang revealed that Anton's younger brother is also preparing to enter the K-pop industry. He noted that Anton himself had asked his sibling not to rush, suggesting the younger Yoon should focus on being fully ready before debuting.

It is a level of thoughtfulness that runs through much of what Anton says and does publicly. Where other young idols might leap at chances to assert individuality, Anton repeatedly frames his ambitions — the songwriting, the composing credits, the eventual solo music — in terms of what would be best for RIIZE as a whole. That collective instinct, instilled perhaps during those long pandemic days in a small Seoul apartment with his father, may be exactly what makes him so well-suited for the group he calls home.

For now, fans are happy to wait. The dream of an Anton-written RIIZE track is on the horizon — and if this episode is any indication, it will be worth every moment of anticipation.