Ryo

Ryo

료
  • Korean Name:료
  • Nickname:Maltese
  • Birthday:August 4, 2007
  • Nationality:Japanese
  • Zodiac Sign:Leo
  • Height:166
  • Weight:52
  • MBTI Type:INTP
  • Blood Type:A
  • Occupation:Singer, Idol
  • Years Active:2024-Present
  • Agency:SM Entertainment

Biography

Hirose Ryo is a Japanese singer and performer based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT and its Tokyo-based sub-unit NCT WISH, formed and managed by SM Entertainment and Avex Trax. Ryo officially debuted with NCT WISH in February 2024 following his participation in the survival program NCT Universe: LASTART.

Early Life and Education

Hirose Ryo was born on August 4, 2007, in Kyoto, Japan. He grew up with his mother and older sister. Ryo developed an interest in music from a young age and was discovered by SM Entertainment scouts while attending a concert of labelmates, which led to his recruitment as a trainee.

Career

Pre-Debut and NCT Universe: LASTART (2023)

In 2023, Ryo participated in NCT Universe: LASTART, a reality survival program produced by SM Entertainment to select members for a new NCT sub-unit. Competing alongside fellow trainees, he finished in fifth place, securing his position as a member of the upcoming unit.

Debut with NCT WISH (2024–Present)

Ryo debuted as a member of NCT WISH on February 28, 2024, when the group released their first digital single, Wish, in both Japanese and Korean versions. NCT WISH is the sixth official sub-unit of NCT and actively promotes in both Korea and Japan.

Within NCT WISH, Ryo serves primarily as a sub-vocalist, contributing to the group’s vocal sections and performances. Fans and profiles have noted his bright and active stage presence, hobbies such as watching movies and drawing, and his dream of becoming an astronaut if he had not pursued music.

Discography

YearTitleType
2023Hands UpSingle
2024WishSingle
2024SongbirdSingle
2024SteadyMini Album
2025WISHFULStudio Album
2025poppopMini Album
2025ColorMini Album
2026WISHLISTStudio Album

Fun Facts

  1. Ryo’s mother is a fan of SM Entertainment artists, and he often attended concerts together with his older sister.
  2. He attended an NCT 127 concert in Saitama with his sister, where he was cast by SM Entertainment staff while waiting in line to buy official merchandise.
  3. His story is often described as “straight out of a novel”: a fan who went to a concert, got scouted on the spot, and eventually debuted as a member of the very group he admired.
  4. He was first cast while in fifth grade of elementary school. After that, he continued practicing in Japan and sent monthly audition videos to SM Entertainment.
  5. In 2022, he moved to South Korea, trained as an SM trainee for about one year, and then participated in NCT Universe: LASTART.
  6. He ranked 5th place in the survival program and officially debuted as a member of NCT WISH.