NCT WISH member Riku garners attention as the cousin of Japanese idol Takahashi Ai from Morning Musume

NCT WISH member Riku is the latest K-Pop idol to garner attention for his connection to celebrity family members!

It's been revealed that Riku, who debuted as a member of NCT WISH simultaneously in Korea and Japan on February 28, is the cousin of a beloved Japanese idol, Takahashi Ai of Morning Musume. 

Takahashi Ai was a member and the main vocalist of Morning Musume from 2001~2011, graduating from the group on September 30, 2011. In fact, it's known that the former Japanese idol has voiced her support for her younger cousin since his days on survival program 'NCT Universe : LASTART'. Last October, she was seen attending one of the shows for NCT WISH's pre-debut tour, posing for a cute photo backstage with Riku afterward.

Another pre-debut photo of Riku posing for a promotional shoot for Takahashi Ai's cosmetic brand, 'Aimmx', was recently discovered by netizens as well. 

Takahashi Ai is also well-known as a K-Pop fan herself, with her favorite artists being Big Bang, 2NE1, and BoA.