
Riku's Profile
- Full Name: Ooe Riku
- Native Name: 大江梨久
- Nicknames: Squirrel
- Birthday: Oct 26, 2002 (22 years old)
- Blood type: AB
- Height/Weight: 162 cm (5’4”) / 48 kg (106 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Debut: Dec 2, 2020
- Position: Lead Vocalist
- MBTI: ESFP
- Birthplace: Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
- Current Agency: JYP Entertainment
-
Nationality:
Japanese
- Profession: Singer
- Language Skills: Japanese, Korean
- Group: NiziU
Riku, whose full name is Oe Riku, was born on October 26, 2002, in Kyoto, Japan. She grew up in a family with an older brother and showed a passion for music and performing from an early age. While attending Uji City Kohata Junior High School, Riku joined the brass band club and played the trumpet at school events.
Early life
Her love for K-pop began in elementary school when she became a fan of groups like KARA, Girls’ Generation, and ITZY. She self-studied Korean, enrolled in K-pop dance classes in Japan, and persistently pursued her dream of becoming an idol despite facing many language and cultural barriers.
Career
In 2020, Riku participated in the reality show “Nizi Project,” jointly organized by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music. She ranked 6th in dance, 4th in vocals, and finished the program in 2nd place overall. On December 2, 2020, Riku officially debuted with NiziU as the lead vocalist, launching with the single “Step and a Step.”
As the lead vocalist, Riku sings the main parts in introductions and choruses and often represents NiziU in interviews regarding vocal techniques. She appeared in Stray Kids’ music video “Back Door,” participated in major music shows such as Kōhaku Uta Gassen and Music Station Ultra Super Live, and featured in many popular entertainment programs.
Strengths
Riku possesses a bright, clear vocal tone and is often likened to a “nimble squirrel” due to her lively demeanor, radiant smile, and signature habit of winking with her left eye.
In terms of personality, Riku is known as NiziU’s “energy vitamin” — always cheerful, humorous, and able to relieve tension. She is famous for her straightforwardness and sincerity, sometimes showing mild “pouting” when tired but quickly regaining her balance. Riku has an excellent memory for dates, earning her the nickname “the group’s walking calendar.” Her distinctive Kansai dialect adds a charming touch, and she continuously improves her Korean to adapt to the multinational environment.
Riku’s MBTI type is ESFP — an extrovert who lives in the moment, is emotionally expressive, and highly adaptable, perfectly matching her youthful, energetic idol image.
Fashion
Riku’s fashion style emphasizes comfort and simplicity but always includes personal highlights. On stage, she often chooses youthful and dynamic outfits that match her bright image. Riku and the other members also actively promoted the NiziU Live with U 2024–2025 OFFICIAL GOODS collection, contributing to the group’s growing influence in the fashion industry.
Challenges
When debuting in Korea with the album “Press Play,” Riku shared her feelings of being overwhelmed by the need to learn Korean quickly and adapt to a demanding environment. At an online fan meeting at the end of 2023, she admitted to occasionally doubting herself due to the hectic schedule and dissatisfaction with certain performances.
In early 2021, a few months after debut, Riku had a minor misunderstanding with Mayuka while preparing for the online concert “NiziU Live with U 2021.” However, they quickly reconciled, demonstrating their ability to adjust and maintain harmony within the group.
Fun Facts
- She was once chased by a deer while feeding it in Nara, which gave her a rather amusing “fear of deer.”
- She loves watching mukbangs, especially featuring Korean dishes like live octopus.
- She enjoys admiring beautiful hands and often feels envious of people with long, slender fingers.
- She tends to complain when tired but always stays composed on stage.
- She is “terrible” at filling out administrative forms.
- She loves going out to eat with close members like Miihi and Mayuka.
- As a child, she dreamed of opening a bakery and a flower shop.
- If she were a dog, Riku thinks she would “bark all day” because of her high energy.
Photo Gallery






References: Kprofiles, Wikipedia, MyDramaList, NiziU interviews and reality shows.