Ni-ki / Nishimura Riki

A beach encounter, the ball hits you. What do you do? Ni-ki (born Nishimura Riki) is a Japanese singer, rapper, and the main dancer of the South Korean K-Pop boy group ENHYPEN. He was born on December 9, 2005, in Okayama, Japan, and is regarded in the music industry as one of the greatest dance talents of the fourth K-Pop generation due to his exceptional abilities. As the youngest member (Maknae) of the seven-member group, he gained international recognition in 2020 on the survival show I-LAND. Key Profile Data Stage Name: Ni-ki (니키) – a combination of his surname Nishimura and his given name Riki. Birth Date: December 9, 2005 (20 years old) Hometown: Okayama, Japan Height: approximately 186 cm Group Role: Main Dancer, Rapper, Maknae (youngest member) Fandom Name (Solo): Nikitties Career and Background Ni-ki was a passionate dancer from a very young age in Japan. Before his breakthrough in South Korea, he danced as part of the group SHINee Kids and performed as a background dancer at concerts for the well-known boy group SHINee. In 2020, he participated in the South Korean survival show I-LAND, organized by Belift Lab (a subsidiary of HYBE). In the final on September 18, 2020, he finished in fourth place in the global audience voting, securing his spot in the group. On November 30, 2020, he officially debuted with ENHYPEN with the mini-album Border: Day One. Current Activities Besides group activities, Ni-ki is increasingly active in the fashion world. Together with his bandmate Jungwon, he graced the cover of the July 2026 issue of the renowned Esquire Korea magazine. He also regularly takes part in international fashion events, including collaborations with high-end brands like Prada. Ni-ki of ENHYPEN is known for his multifaceted personality, often described as a mix of mature professionalism and youthful playfulness. While he exudes extreme confidence and an almost aloof demeanor on stage, offstage he displays the typical character traits of the group’s youngest member (Maknae). Ni-ki’s Key Character Traits Playful and Mischievous (Playful Maknae): He loves playing pranks on his older bandmates (especially Jungwon and Jake) or teasing them in a playful manner. Ambitious and Detail-Oriented: When it comes to dancing, he shows remarkable maturity. He learns choreographies exceptionally quickly and is a perfectionist. Observant and Profound: Fans and fellow members often describe him as very attentive. He sometimes stays in the background during talk shows, carefully analyzes situations, and frequently expresses his gratitude to the people behind the scenes. Externally Cool, Internally Soft: Due to his intense gaze and serious facial expression (Resting Bitch Face), he can initially seem distant. Privately, however, he is very affectionate. In the early days of the band, for example, he couldn’t fall asleep without hugging someone or something. Within ENHYPEN, Ni-ki shares a very close bond with his bandmates, and he also maintains strong connections with other K-Pop idols in the industry. Having moved from Japan to South Korea alone at a young age, his group members quickly became like a surrogate family. Closest Friendships within ENHYPEN Sunoo (The “SunKi” Duo): This friendship is particularly beloved by fans. The two share a classic “Tom and Jerry” dynamic. They continuously tease each other but also provide immense emotional support in vulnerable moments. Jungwon: As the group’s leader, Jungwon takes particularly good care of young Ni-ki. They share a deep professional chemistry and recently appeared together on the cover of Esquire Korea. Jake & Jay: Both often take on the role of older, protective brothers. Jay (who also speaks fluent Japanese) frequently helps Ni-ki feel more at home in Korean culture and language. Friendships with Other K-Pop Idols (95er- & Japan-Line) Key (SHINee): One of the most touching stories in the K-Pop industry. Ni-ki danced alongside Key when he was a child in SHINee Kids. Years later, they reunited as successful colleagues on music shows. Key continues to support Ni-ki and acts as a mentor. K (&TEAM): The two met on the survival show I-LAND. Although K did not debut with ENHYPEN at that time, the two Japanese idols remained extremely close and often display their connection in joint TikTok challenges. Other Japanese Idols: Ni-ki gets along well with members of other groups who also hail from Japan, such as members of TREASURE or NCT.

Updated September 23, 2026