FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETNI-KI
- Stage name
- NI-KI
- Birth name
- Nishimura Riki
- Born
- Dec. 9, 2005
- Position
- Main Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper, Maknae
- Agency
- BELIFT LAB
- Fandom
- ENGENE
- Debut
- 2020
- Generation
- 4th gen
NI-KI is the youngest member of the K-pop group ENHYPEN, which formed in 2020 through the survival show I-LAND. He is best known as the group's top dancer, and he also sings and raps. In 2026 the group continues as a six-member act under Belift Lab after Heeseung's departure. In April 2026 he released a solo cover of "LIMBO" for fans, showing off both his low register and his falsetto.
Where they grew up
NI-KI was born in Okayama, Japan, and dancing was his first love. As a kid he joined a dance group that performed SHINee songs, where he handled the parts originally sung by Key, and he also danced in the background for a few SHINee performances. He later took part in an audition for BE:LIFT Lab and trained for about eight months. His taste in music goes back to early childhood: he has said he listened to Jackson 5 songs on cassette tapes from around age three, and Michael Jackson is the reason he wanted to become an artist.
Birth details: enhypenguide.com
In their own words
“Fans tend to really like my lower voice, so I wanted the cover to fully showcase that charm.”
“I wanted to share those feelings and memories with ENGENEs, which is why I decided to cover it.”
“Even if I was inexperienced and awkward, the person I am today exists because of who I was back then.”
- Michael Jackson sixkshop.tistory.com
- Jackson 5 He has listened to their songs on cassette tapes since age three. sixkshop.tistory.com
- SHINee As a child he performed SHINee songs in a dance group, taking Key's parts, and danced as a background dancer for the group. nolae.eu
- Keshi Watching Keshi's rehearsals at Coachella deepened his love for "LIMBO", which he later covered. sixkshop.tistory.com
Timeline
- 2020Trainee period
After a BE:LIFT Lab casting, he trained for around eight months.
- 2020Joined I-LAND
Announced on June 2 as a contestant on the CJ ENM and Big Hit survival show I-LAND.
- 2020Debut with ENHYPEN
Placed fourth in the global vote on September 18 and became a member of ENHYPEN, which debuted on November 30.
- 2021Radio DJ on ANNX
Hosted the Japanese radio program ANNX for a year, from 2021 to 2022, building his MC skills.
- 2025Coachella
Performed with ENHYPEN at Coachella and spent about two weeks in the United States preparing.
- 2026Group continues as six
In March, Belift Lab announced Heeseung's departure for a solo career, and ENHYPEN continues with six members.
- 2026"LIMBO" cover
Released a solo cover of Keshi's song in April.
Latest
- Esquire Korea July 2026 issue interview with Jungwon
Talked about his love of accessories, his Michael Jackson fandom, the advance screening of the film Michael, and how he has matured since earlier interviews.
sixkshop.tistory.com - "LIMBO" cover release
Released a cover of Keshi's "LIMBO" for ENGENEs, featuring his low voice and falsetto, which was well received.
sixkshop.tistory.com - Continuing as part of the six-member ENHYPENlatimes.com
Our coverage
BIGBANG Meets Dooly at MAMA as K-pop's Awards Season Calendar Fills In
ENHYPEN brings Dune to MAMA in Osaka, and the Korea Grand Music Awards and Melon Music Awards set November dates at Gocheok Sky Dome.
ENHYPEN Goes 'Dune,' BIGBANG Meets 'Dooly' at 2026 MAMA AWARDS Special Stages
A seven-artist stage with members of CORTIS, ZEROBASEONE, ALLDAY PROJECT and Hearts2Hearts joins the Osaka show's lineup of collaborations.
Photocard: The Debit-Card-Size K-pop Collectible Fans Pull, Swap and Price
From a 2010 Girls' Generation album to $13 Lucky Draw cards and tea-lounge swap meets, here is how the photocard works for U.S. fans.
Hot 100 vs. Billboard 200, Explained Through ENHYPEN, LISA and LE SSERAFIM
ENHYPEN's new single announcement comes with a Billboard 200 No. 1 behind it. Here is how the two chart names work in K-pop fan talk.
Soundcheck Package: The K-pop VIP Tier That Gets You Into Rehearsal
From BTS' first 200,000-won sound check seats to 2026 U.S. tour stops: what the pre-show tier includes, what it costs and how to buy one.
K-pop's Decline Shows Up in Stock Prices, Not in Album Sales or BTS Tour Grosses
Hanteo counted a record 49.53 million albums in the first half of 2026 and BTS passed $500 million on tour, while HYBE's share price nearly halved on margin worries.
BTS and Stray Kids Were Right: The Grammys' Asian Pop Award Is a Language Box
K-pop's four biggest companies reportedly sat it out, and the new category drew 116 entries to best Latin song's 519. That gap is a verdict on the category.
Stray Kids' 'THIS & THAT' Logs an Eighth Week at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums
ENHYPEN, CORTIS and BOYNEXTDOOR round out the top four, as ATEEZ and ENHYPEN line up November releases with ET drop times.
ENHYPEN Closes 'THE SIN' Series With November Spinoff Single and a U.S.-Only CD
"THE SIN : PARALLEL WORLD" arrives digitally Nov. 20, two months after the group's last comeback, and the physical album follows three days later.
Evan, Formerly Enhypen's Heeseung, Bets on Rock With Solo Debut 'Ride or Die'
In his first interview, the former Enhypen member talked about a turn toward rock, a second track built on hope and an Instagram following of about 5 million.
Jennie's 'Dracula' Remix With Tame Impala Is Back at No. 5 on the Hot 100
The viral remix gained one spot to match its best showing, while Katseye's 'Animal' rose to No. 28 and Stray Kids led K-pop albums.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Climbs Back to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
The collaboration gained one spot to match its best showing, as Katseye climbed and Stray Kids led K-pop albums on the Billboard 200.
- sixkshop.tistory.com: ESQUIRE JUL issue 2026 (NIKI & JUNGWON ENHYPEN ...
- latimes.com: Heeseung going solo; Enhypen will continue with six ...
- nolae.eu: Ni-ki (Enhypen) Profile
- enhypenguide.com: NI-KI | ENHYPEN - Kpop Profile (2026 Updated)
- kprofiles.com: NI-KI (ENHYPEN) Profile (Updated!)
Fan sites
- ENHYPEN Guide: NI-KI profileFan-run profile with key facts, personality notes, hobbies and likes.
- Kprofiles: NI-KI (ENHYPEN) ProfileFan-run profile and reference page.
Last researched Nov. 12, 2026