If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the K-pop corner of the internet lately, you've definitely seen him. The guy who moves like he doesn't have a skeletal structure and somehow looks seven feet tall on stage despite being just twenty years old. We're talking about Ni-ki. He's the youngest member of ENHYPEN, the group’s resident dance prodigy, and honestly, the person most likely to make you feel like you've achieved nothing with your life by comparison.
It's actually kinda wild. Most of us were struggling with basic algebra at his age, but Ni-ki is out here winning Grand Prizes at MAMA and headlining world tours. People are constantly asking how old is Ni-ki because his stage presence feels way too mature for someone who only recently left his teens.
The Current Numbers: How Old Is Ni-ki Right Now?
Let's get the math out of the way first. Nishimura Riki—known to the world as Ni-ki—was born on December 9, 2005.
As of right now, in early 2026, Ni-ki is 20 years old.
He’ll be turning 21 this coming December. It’s a bit of a mind-trip for long-time fans (ENGENEs) who remember him as the tiny 14-year-old kid on the survival show I-LAND back in 2020. Back then, he was this shy Japanese trainee who barely spoke Korean but could out-dance everyone in the room. Now? He’s basically a fashion icon who speaks fluent Korean and stands at about 186 cm (6'1"). Growth spurts are real, folks.
Why His Age Actually Matters in K-pop
Usually, an idol's age is just a number on a profile. But with Ni-ki, it's a huge part of his narrative. He’s the maknae (youngest) of ENHYPEN, but he carries the weight of a main dancer.
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K-pop history is full of "dance machines," but Ni-ki is a bit different. He started dancing when he was three. Three! While most of us were learning not to eat crayons, he was mimicking Michael Jackson videos for five hours a day in his parents' dance studio in Okayama, Japan. This "head start" is why he’s so technically proficient today. By the time he was nine, he was already performing with SHINee as a "mini" version of Key.
There's this weird paradox where he’s the baby of the group that the older members (like Heeseung and Jay) want to protect, but on stage, he’s the one leading the most difficult choreographies.
The Evolution from Riki to Ni-ki
You’ve probably seen some fans call him Riki. That’s his birth name. The name "Ni-ki" is actually a clever little portmanteau:
- Ni comes from his surname, Nishimura.
- Ki comes from his first name, Riki.
It's simple, catchy, and honestly, it fits the "hyphen" branding of ENHYPEN perfectly. It's funny because he actually came up with the hyphenated spelling himself before the group name was even announced. Talk about fate.
What’s He Up To in 2026?
If you think he’s slowing down now that he’s in his twenties, you’re dead wrong. ENHYPEN just released their 7th Mini Album, THE SIN: VANISH, in January 2026. It’s been a massive success, especially coming off the heels of their three Grand Prize wins in 2025.
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Ni-ki has been more involved in the creative side lately too. In their recent interviews for the new album, he mentioned that he’s feeling a lot more satisfied with the "completeness" of their work. He isn't just a kid executing steps anymore; he’s an artist helping craft the story.
A Quick Look at the ENHYPEN Age Gap
To give you some perspective on where Ni-ki sits in the group hierarchy, here’s how the ages currently stack up:
- Heeseung: 24 (The oldest "fake maknae")
- Jay: 23
- Jake: 23
- Sunghoon: 23
- Sunoo: 22
- Jungwon: 21 (The leader, despite being second youngest)
- Ni-ki: 20
Being the youngest by about a year or more means he’s grown up in the spotlight under the eyes of six "older brothers." That probably explains why he’s so competitive but also surprisingly resilient.
Addressing the "Dance Prodigy" Label
Is it hype? Not really. Even experts like Kento Mori (Michael Jackson’s former dancer) have praised him. The kid can literally watch a choreography once and memorize the whole thing in ten minutes.
Most idols need days of practice to get "sync" down to a science. For Ni-ki, it seems like muscle memory. He’s mastered everything from ballet and jazz to hip-hop and acrobatics. If you watch his solo "Artist of the Month" performance or his more recent stages on the WALK THE LINE tour, the level of control is just scary.
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Common Misconceptions About Ni-ki
People often think he's cold because he has a very sharp, "cool" exterior on camera. Honestly? He’s just a massive introvert who loves gaming and photography.
Another big one: people assume he’s the leader because he's so tall and dominant on stage. Nope, that's Jungwon. Ni-ki is perfectly happy being the mischievous younger brother who pranks the others and then takes high-quality photos of them for his private collection.
What you should do next:
If you haven't seen it yet, go watch the performance video for "No Doubt" or anything from the new THE SIN: VANISH album. Pay close attention to his footwork—it's usually where he sneaks in the most complex details. You can also follow the official ENHYPEN Twitter or TikTok to see his "Ni-ki-log" updates, which give a much better look at his actual personality behind the "dance god" persona.