NCT 127 (Korean: 엔시티 127;RR: Ensiti Il-i-chil) is the first fixed and second overall sub-unit of the South Koreanboy bandNCT, formed and managed bySM Entertainment. They originally debuted on July 7, 2016, with their debutextended playNCT#127, with an original lineup of seven members:Taeil,Taeyong,Yuta,Jaehyun, Winwin,Mark, andHaechan.Doyoung and Johnny joined the unit in December 2016, ahead of their second EPLimitless, whileJungwoo, the final member, was introduced in September 2018 ahead of their firststudio albumRegular-Irregular. They are known for theirexperimental hip hop-based music, which they refer to as "neo music", as well as their vocal and rap abilities, choreographies, and performances.
After debuting in 2016, they broke into the domestic mainstream in 2017 with "Cherry Bomb", now recognized as one of their signature songs, and received greater international attention following the release of "Kick It" in 2020.
In April 2019, NCT 127's increasing global popularity prompted SM Entertainment to sign marketing and distribution deals withCapitol Music Group andCaroline Distribution, respectively. The unit subsequently released the EPWe Are Superhuman that year and their second Korean studio album,Neo Zone, in 2020, the latter becoming their first top-five entry on the USBillboard 200 and their first release to sell over one million copies.[3] In 2021, NCT 127 released their third Korean studio album,Sticker, and its repackaged versionFavorite. With a combined 3.58 million copies sold, it broke the record for the best-selling album of all time by an act under SM Entertainment and earned the group the Daesang[b] award at the31st Seoul Music Awards.[5][6]Sticker debuted at number three on theBillboard 200, becoming the longest and highest-charting K-pop album in the US in 2021.[7] In 2022, NCT 127 released their fourth Korean studio album2 Baddies, which sold 3.2 million copies and made them the second K-pop act to have three albums debut in the top five of theBillboard 200.[8][9][10]
In January 2016, SM Entertainment founderLee Soo-man delivered a presentation at the SM Coex Artium titled "SMTOWN: New Culture Technology 2016".[11] Lee announced that the label planned to debut a new boy group with an "unlimited" number of members, in alignment with their "culture contents" strategy. The group would have "sub-unit teams" of different members from different cities around the world, and the units would collaborate with each other frequently. Lee revealed the name of the group to be NCT, an acronym of the presentation title. NCT was to be SM Entertainment's first idol group to debut sinceRed Velvet in August 2014 and the label's first boy group to debut since South Korean–Chinese boy bandExo in 2012. During the presentation, Lee also announced plans to debut the first NCT unit within the first half of 2016 in Seoul and Tokyo, with sub-units based in Chinese cities to follow in the latter half of the year and units in Southeast Asia and Latin America later.[12][13][14]
On July 1, 2016, NCT 127 was announced as the second sub-unit, a Seoul-based, multi-national boy group that would promote actively in South Korea. The name "NCT 127" combines the acronym for Neo Culture Technology with the number "127", the longitude coordinate of the city of Seoul.[15]
History
2013–2016: Formation, pre-debut activities and early days
All ten members of NCT 127 were originally introduced throughSM Rookies, a pre-debut training team established bySM Entertainment.[16] Johnny was the first member to join the label through an American audition atChicago,Illinois, in 2007, while Yuta was recruited through the SM Global Audition inOsaka, Japan and Mark inVancouver, Canada in 2012.[17][18] The same year, Taeyong and Jaehyun joined the label after being cast by label employees and passing auditions and were the first members to be introduced through SM Rookies.[19][20][21] Taeil was the next member to join the label in 2013, despite having chosen twice before to not pursue an idol career.[22] Doyoung and Donghyuck joined the label in 2013, with Winwin being introduced through SM Rookies on January 5, 2016, andJungwoo on April 17, 2017.[23][24]
NCT 127's initial seven-member lineup performing inBusan in August 2016
Prior to the unit's debut, several members had solo activities during their time in SM Rookies, including Taeyong's music video for "Open the Door" and feature in Red Velvet's second single "Be Natural" (credited as SR14B's Taeyong) in 2014.[25][26] Taeyong then joined fellow trainees Johnny, Mark, Donghyuck, Yuta and Jaehyun in theMnet-produced reality showExo 90:2014.[27] Doyoung and Jaehyun became fixed MCs for the music showShow Champion from January to June 2015, while Mark and Donghyuck were Mouseketeers onDisney Channel Korea'sThe Mickey Mouse Club in July 2015.[23][28] The members eventually had their first official show, titledSMRookies Show, in Seoul in September 2015 and later inBangkok,Thailand in February 2016.[29][30] Taeil released his first solo soundtrack "Because Of You" for the television seriesThe Merchant: Gaekju 2015 on January 26, 2016, and Winwin, who appeared as a dancer for the live performance of NCT U's "The 7th Sense" during the sub-unit's first live performance in China at the 16th Music Feng Yun Bang Awards later in April 2016.[31][32] Along with other SM Rookies trainees, the members starred in their first reality show series, titledNCT Life, in the same month.[33] Taeyong, Taeil, Jaehyun, and Mark—all of whom previously debuted in NCT U—as well as Yuta, Winwin, andHaechan were confirmed to debut in NCT 127, the Seoul-based unit of NCT, on July 1, 2016.[15]
NCT 127 officially debuted with the release of the music video for "Fire Truck" on July 7, 2016, and had their debut performance onMnet'sM Countdown on the same day. They performed the single alongside another promotional song, "Once Again".[34][35] They released theirself-titled extended play (EP) on July 10, 2016.[36] The record was a commercial success, debuting at number two on theGaon Album Chart and rising to the number one position by the third week of its release, while reaching number two on theBillboard World Albums Chart.[37][38][39] In collaboration withCoca-Cola, NCT 127 released the single "Taste the Feeling" under theSM Station project on July 29 while continuing promotions for "Fire Truck" on television music shows such asMusic Bank,Show Champion, andInkigayo.[40] The group then collaborated with theW Korea magazine and modeling agency ESteem for a special performance video, which featured five members (Yuta, Taeyong, Jaehyun, Mark, and Winwin) performing a then-unreleased track, titled "Good Thing".[41] On December 20, NCT 127 released the music video for "Switch", previously issued as a bonus track onNCT #127, which featured other SM Rookies trainees (who were referred to as SR15B at the time of release).[42] The unit was named the Best New Group of 2016 at several music award shows, includingAsia Artist Awards,Seoul Music Awards,Golden Disc Awards,Mnet Asian Music Awards andGaon Chart Music Awards.[43][44][45][46][47]
2017: New members, breakthrough withCherry Bomb and Japanese debut
On December 27, SM Entertainment confirmed that NCT 127 would release their second EPLimitless in January 2017. The label then announced that new members Johnny and Doyoung would join with NCT 127, becoming a nine-member boy group, with Doyoung having previously debuted with NCT U in April 2016.[48] The group premiered two versions of the EP's eponymous lead single on January 4 and 5, 2017.[49][50] The EP, released the next day, was commercially successful, becoming NCT 127's second chart-topper on the Gaon Album Chart and their first to reach number one theBillboard World Albums Chart.[51][52] The lead single also received positive reviews from music critics, hailed byDazed Digital as one of the top 20 best K-pop songs of 2017, and a fan favorite.[53] Similar to their previous releases, the unit began their promotion cycle for "Limitless" and "Good Thing" onM Countdown on January 5.[54] They released their EPCherry Bomb on June 14, led by their single of the same name.[55] The release marked NCT 127's breakthrough, with "Cherry Bomb" being their first single to enter theGaon Digital Chart, peaking at number forty-seven,[56] and earning the group their first music trophy.[57] The song has since become one of the group'ssignatures and was named byBillboard andIdolator "one of the best K-pop songs of 2017".[58][59]
In addition to their initial activities in South Korea, NCT 127 promoted overseas with their first live performances at the 2017'sKCON music festival inMexico City, followed by their appearance at the KCON Festivals inLos Angeles andNew York City, respectively.[60][61] They also became the first K-pop act to be introduced as Apple Music's "New Artist of the Week" list, attending and performing at the Apple Store inWilliamsburg, Brooklyn on June 25, 2017.[62] The group released a Japanese version of "Limitless" on November 4, 2017, as their debut Japanese single, along with a new music video.[63] In December, after signing withAvex Trax, NCT 127 was confirmed by SM Entertainment to make their official Japanese debut in spring of 2018, accompanied by their first showcase tour.[64]
2018:Empathy project, member lineup adjustments andRegular-Irregular
In mid-January 2018, SM Entertainment announced that all current members and units would participate in NCT 2018, a project by parent group NCT.[65] NCT 127 released "Touch" as the fourth single fromNCT 2018 Empathy, the studio album that united the existing sub-units of NCT, with different members collaborating under the rotational unit NCT U.[66] The group released their first Japanese EPChain viaAvex Trax on May 23, 2018, which debuted and peaked at number two on theOricon Albums Chart. Its eponymous second single was also successful, peaking at number twenty-one on theOricon Singles Chart.[67][68]
NCT 127 attendingMusic Bank on October 12, 2018, for their first live performance of "Regular."
On September 17, SM Entertainment introduced a new logo for NCT 127 on all social media platforms. On October 1, they were announced asApple Music'sUp Next Artist of the October, making them as the first K-pop artist to be selected for the series.[69] Along with the release of a new teaser video, the label confirmed that member Jungwoo would officially join the lineup for their upcoming first full-length album, titledRegular-Irregular, on October 12.[70] Jungwoo previously debuted in the rotational unit NCT U for the single "Boss" in February 2018. The album was a commercial success domestically, remaining at number one on theGaon Album Chart for two weeks and becoming NCT 127's first to receive a Platinum KMCA certificate for selling over 250,000 copies. In addition, the album debuted at number eighty-six on the USBillboard 200, earning the group their first charting title on the chart and leading all ten members to extend their promotions to the United States.[71][72] In association with their role as one of Apple Music'sUp Next artists, album promotions included a group performance of an English version of the lead single "Regular" and "Cherry Bomb" onJimmy Kimmel Live! as the group's first appearance on US national television.[73] NCT 127 also performed onABC'sMickey's 90th Spectacular TV special on November 4[74] and released an Apple Music-exclusive digital EP,Up Next Session: NCT 127, on October 21. The digital EP contained an English version of "Cherry Bomb", remixes for "Fire Truck" and "Regular," and the original song "What We Talkin' Bout" featuring American singerMarteen.[75] NCT 127 re-releasedRegular-Irregular under the titleRegulate on November 23, led by the single "Simon Says".[76][77] The single was moderately successful in South Korea but experienced greater success in the US, becoming NCT 127's first to top theBillboard World Digital Songs chart and their first to enter theNew Zealand Hot 40 Singles chart.
Due to his preparations to debut with China-based sub-unitWayV, member Winwin did not join the group's promotional activities for the release of the repackage.[78] On December 19, it was announced Haechan would be taking a hiatus from the group due to injury.[79]
2019: First world tour,Awaken andWe Are Superhuman
In January 2019, NCT 127 announced their first concert tour, Neo City – The Origin,[80][81] with stops in South Korea and Japan from January to March.[82][83] The tour was extended to North America, with twelve shows on April and May 2019,[84][85] and an additional nine in Latin America, Europe and Southeast Asia from May through July 2019.[86][87][88] Haechan rejoined the group beginning with the Japan leg of the tour in March 2019.[89] The group featured onJason Derulo's single "Let's Shut Up & Dance", which was released on February 22, alongside labelmateLay Zhang.[90][91] On March 18, NCT 127 released "Wakey-Wakey" as the lead single of their first Japanese studio album,Awaken, which was released on April 17.[92]
NCT 127 modelling for Korean magazineDispatch in 2019
In April 2019, NCT 127 signed a worldwide distribution deal withCapitol Music Group andCaroline Distribution via SM Entertainment.[93] Ahead of the North American leg of their tour, the group made appearances onGood Morning America andStrahan and Sara on April 18; they were the third K-pop act to perform on the former.[94] In the same month, the group announced their fourth EP,We Are Superhuman, released on May 24, 2019,[95][96] and performed once again as a nine-piece group, with Winwin continuing to promote solely as a member of WayV.[97] The group performed the EP's lead single, "Superhuman", onGood Morning America andStrahan and Sara.[85] They also performed the song onThe Late Late Show with James Corden on May 14.[98] NCT 127 appeared in the Japanese variety showNCT 127 Teach Me JAPAN!, which began airing on dTV from June 9.[99]
We Are Superhuman debuted at number eleven at theBillboard 200 with 27,000 units, becoming NCT 127's second entry on the chart.[100] The EP also became their second number-one album on theBillboard World Albums chart.[100] An English version of "Highway to Heaven" was released as the EP's second single on July 18, 2019.[101] In August 2019, SM Entertainment announced that Jungwoo would sit out the group's activities for undisclosed health reasons,[102] although the label clarified in November 2019 that his health had been improving and that he may be able to rejoin the group in 2020.[103]
NCT 127 performed as special guests at the 2019Global Citizen Festival in New York in September 2019.[104] They released their first live album,Neo City: Seoul − The Origin, on October 24,[105] and performed at the2019 MTV Europe Music Awards inSeville,Spain on November 3, becoming the first K-pop group to do so.[106] NCT 127 also performed at the 2019Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on November 28, making them the first Korean artist to perform at the event,[107] as well as on the programToday on November 29.[108]
As the group's United States promotional activities for their previous release came to a conclusion by the end of November 2019, NCT 127 released a shortened music video for "Dreams Come True" on their official YouTube channel on January 27.[109] After the announcement of Jungwoo's return, the group released their second Korean studio album,Neo Zone, on March 6, 2020, featuring lead single "Kick It". Several members took part in songwriting for the album.[110]Neo Zone debuted at number five onBillboard 200 with more than 87,000 units sold in the first week.[111][112] The album sold over 700,000 units in the first month in the US, becoming their best-selling album to date, as well as topping the Korean album sales chart in March.[113]
In addition to promotional activities in South Korea, NCT 127 promoted in the US, beginning with performances at the 2020RodeoHouston inHouston on March 10, becoming the first K-pop group to perform at the event.[114][115] They were scheduled to embark on their second tour, Neo Zone – The Awards, in June 2020 in North America,[110] although the tour was indefinitely postponed and later canceled entirely due to concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.[116][117]
In April, NCT 127 was chosen as ambassador for Korean cosmetics brandNature Republic.[118] On May 17, they became the fourth act to hold an online concert, titled "Beyond the Origin" as part of SM Entertainment'sBeyond Live online concert series. The concert sold over 104,000 virtual tickets to audience members from 129 countries.[119]
On May 19, the group releasedNeo Zone: The Final Round, a repackage ofNeo Zone. The album was released alongside lead single "Punch", which NCT 127 premiered live during their Beyond Live concert two days prior.[116] Combined sales ofNeo Zone andThe Final Round exceeded 1.2 million copies, making it the group's best-selling album at the time and their first to exceed one million total sales.[120]
The group reunited with the rest of the NCT members for their second studio album,NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 andNCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2, released on October 12 and November 23, respectively. NCT 127 recorded the track "Music, Dance" for the album.[121]
NCT 127 announced in January that they would release their second Japanese EP,Loveholic, on February 17.[122]
On June 4, NCT 127 collaborated withAmoeba Culture to release the digital single "Save".[123]
On June 28, SM released a presentation on the future of the company and the comebacks of their artists. The presentation explained that the group planned to release a third studio album and repackage.[124] At a fanmeet for the group's fifth anniversary, they confirmed the album would have a September release window.[125] Their third Korean studio album,Sticker, was released on September 17. The album consists of eleven tracks, including the lead single of the same name.[126] It achieved 1.13 million pre-orders within the first 24 hours, making it the highest pre-ordered K-pop album in one day. In total, the album recorded 2.2 million pre-orders and sold 2.4 million copies within a week after its release, making it the first album from SM Entertainment to sell over two million copies without a repackage version.[127]Sticker also became the group's highest-ranking album on theBillboard 200 at number three and the highest-ranking K-pop album on the chart in 2021.[128]
NCT 127 released the repackage version ofSticker,Favorite, and its lead single "Favorite (Vampire)" on October 25, 2021.[129] The repackage accumulated 1.06 million copies in pre-order sales and sold over 1.1 million copies in one week after its release.[130][131] As of November 3, 2021,Sticker andFavorite have sold a combined total of 3.58 million copies, making it the best-selling album by an artist under SM Entertainment.[131]
On September 16, NCT 127 made their comeback with their fourth studio album2 Baddies and itstitle track of the same name.[136] The album sold 1.5 million copies in its first week, becoming the highest-selling album by an SM Entertainment act within its week debut.[8] On theBillboard 200 chart in the United States, the album sold 55,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number three, becoming the group's third album to debut within the top five and their second consecutive album to debut at number three.[9] This makes NCT 127 the second K-pop act to have three albums debut in the Top 5 of the chart, followingBTS.2 Baddies also became the group's highest-charting album in Australia'sARIA Charts, debuting at number three.[137] The album surpassed 3.2 million sales in January 2023 following the release of its reissue titledAy-Yo, making it NCT 127's second triple-million selling album.[138][9]
On October 6, NCT 127 held a sold-out concert at theCrypto.com Arena inLos Angeles, as part of the North American Leg ofNeo City – The Link. They later performed with another sold-out show at thePrudential Center inNewark, New Jersey, on October 13.[139] On October 22 and 23, the group performed with a 2-day special concert at theSeoul Olympic Stadium, the largest concert stadium in South Korea.[140] The show, titled Neo City: Seoul – The Link+, featured a new set list that included tracks from their fourth studio album2 Baddies. NCT 127 continued touring in Asia in November and December 2022, playing shows inJakarta andBangkok.[141]
2023–present:The Lost Boys documentary,Fact Check, third tour andWalk
On August 30, 2023,Disney+ released an original documentary series titledNCT 127: The Lost Boys.[145] Containing four episodes, it focuses on the members' childhoods, their personal lives prior to debut, and their perspective on international success.[146] On October 6, NCT 127 released their fifth studio albumFact Check, alongside its title track of the same name.[147] On October 16, SM Entertainment announced NCT 127's third world tour, Neo City – The Unity.[148] It will commence with six concerts at theKSPO Dome in Seoul from November 17 until November 26, and will continue in 2024 with a dome tour in Japan.[149]
On July 15, 2024, NCT 127 released their sixth Korean studio albumWalk with the lead single of the same name.[150] On August 28, SM announced that Taeil was removed from NCT 127 following sexual offense allegations.[151]
On January 18, 2025, NCT 127 kicked off their fourth world tour, 'Neo City – The Momentum', with two shows at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.[152] The concerts were held with only six active members, as Taeyong and Jaehyun were absent due to theirmandatory military service. The tour visited major cities across Asia and North America, concluding with two final shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on May 21 and 22.[153][154]
Members
Originally a septet at the sub-unit's debut in July 2016, the lineup now consists of eight active members as of 2024:
NCT 127's music incorporates genres such aship hop,R&B, andEDM. Their most prominent style isexperimental hip-hop, which the members describe as "neo", in reference to NCT's name, Neo Culture Technology. Their hip hop-based experimental singles include thehardcore hip hop "Cherry Bomb", the Latin-inspired hip hop "Regular", the "powerful" hip hop and R&B "Kick It", and the critically polarizing, minimal hip hop "Sticker". They frequently collaborate with American producerDem Jointz, who has composed many of their lead singles alongside South Korean songwriterYoo Young-jin. Gelene Penalosa ofPOP! dubbed NCT 127 the "K-pop's kings of noise music" after noting the increasing prominence of experimental music among fourth generation K-pop groups.[155]
Choreography
NCT 127's choreography has been noted for its intensity and complexity, and the members' synchronized dance moves across different styles have received praise.[156] Tim Chan ofRolling Stone described their choreography as "difficult for even professional dance troupes to master."[157]
^A daesang (Korean: 대상), which translates to "grand prize", is the highest honor given out at South Korean music award ceremonies in recognition of the artist(s) with the greatest physical and digital achievements for the year.[4]
^"NCT 127, 2연속 트리플 밀리언셀러 등극..정규 4집 누적 320만 장" [NCT 127 has become a triple million seller twice in a row. 3.2 million sales for the 4th full-length album.].Naver News (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 14, 2023.
^"NCT 127 정우, 12월 팬미팅 불참 "내년쯤 활동 합류"(공식)" [NCT 127's Jungwoo will not join fanmeet in December, "will try to re-join activities next year"].Naver (in Korean). November 18, 2019.Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. RetrievedNovember 18, 2019.
^"NCT 127、初のライブアルバムリリース" [NCT 127 releases first live album].BARKS (in Japanese). October 24, 2019.Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. RetrievedOctober 24, 2019.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (October 25, 2021).""또 사랑해" NCT 127, 비극 속 꽃 핀 환희 'Favorite'..후회는 없어(종합)[퇴근길 신곡]" ["I love you again" NCT 127, joy 'Favorite' bloomed in tragedy..No regrets (comprehensive) [New song on the way home]].OSEN (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. RetrievedOctober 25, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Soo-jin (October 25, 2021)."NCT 127 '페이보릿' 선주문량도 밀리언셀러" [NCT 127's 'Favorite' pre-order volume is also a million seller].Newsis (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. RetrievedNovember 6, 2021.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (August 19, 2022).NCT 127, 9월 16일 정규 4집 '질주' 발매 '인기 가속페달' [NCT 127, 4th regular album 'Sprint' released on September 16th 'Popular accelerator pedal'].Newsen. RetrievedAugust 19, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Park, Seo-hyun (December 7, 2022).NCT 127 측 "내년 1월 목표로 리패키지 앨범 발매 준비中"[공식] [NCT 127 side "Preparing to release a repackage album with the goal of January next year" [Official]].Herald POP (in Korean). RetrievedDecember 8, 2022 – viaNaver.
^"NCT 127, 70만 팬들과 호흡...17개 도시 월드 투어 대장정 마침표" [NCT 127, meeting 700,000 fans... 'Neo City – The Link' concludes with 17 cities toured].Newsen (in Korean). January 30, 2023.Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 30, 2023.
^유, 다연."'K팝제왕'의 귀환...NCT 127, 10월 '팩트체크'로 컴백[공식]" [The Return of 'K-Pop Kings'...NCT 127 to return with 'Fact Check' in October [Official]].entertain.naver.com (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 27, 2023.
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