All You Need To Know About K-Pop Group NCT 127 (Except Their Blood Type)
All You Need To Know About K-Pop Group NCT 127 (Except Their Blood Type)
Thanks to K-pop's growing visibility in the U.S., The cultural barriers that once prevented Korean artists from making it big in the West are being smashed one milestone at a time. As a result, a new generation of K-pop acts are attempting to leave their mark in the history books.
NCT 127 is the latest sort to bring K-pop stateside with the release of their confident English debut, common The 10-member order just dropped their first full-length release, Regular-Irregular, a sleek concept album that weaves a dual narrative between two worlds: reality usual) and fantasy odd. It debuted at No. 86 on the Billboard 200, making NCT 127 the second-highest charting K-pop boy musical group in chart history.
So what should you know about this sort of Korean artists who are currently making waves abroad? Here's a very handy guide to NCT 127:
What does NCT 127 mean?
NCT stands for Neo Culture Technology, which are not three random words thrown with each other although rather an ambitious concept from SM Entertainment, the hugest record label in South Korea. The project aims to localize K-pop across the globe with region-specific groups, and NCT 127 is the Seoul-based unit. (127 refers to the longitude of Seoul. #TheMoreYouKnow)
Giphy / Apple Music"Culture Technology" is a plan of action designed by SM founder Lee Sooman. It's essentially a way to bring Korean pop music to the world, and NCT is the modern extension of that with its ever-expanding roster of international performers.
there really are currently 18 artists under the NCT fold and three traditional units: NCT 127, NCT Dream (a more playful rotational unit for NCT's teenage performers), and NCT U (a rotational sort where songs are appointed to members based on who best fits the track).
In June 2018, a new unit made up of NCT's Chinese members was announced. NCT China (working title) is set to debut later this year. There really are also plans to expand the NCT brand to more countries in Asia — with a particular interest in Vietnam and "V-pop" — and even Latin America.
What are their fans called?
Fans of NCT are referred to as NCTzens (pronounced N-citizens), and the members will often affectionately call them "Seasonies" ("Seasony is us saying that our fans are precious to us like the four seasons," they explained.) And here's hoping you like the color green.
So, who's in the group?
there really are currently 10 members in NCT 127. Newest member Jungwoo made his official debut with the recent release of Regular-Irregular, and here they are looking like a bunch of handsome goth time travelers for their latest comeback:
SM Entertainment
Taeyong
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Real name: Lee Taeyong (nicknames: TY Track; Taebreze; Grandpa; 2D Taeyong)
Role: Leader, Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Vocalist, Visual, Center
Taeyong is so handsome that every Korean broadcast makes at least one reference to his "2D" good looks. (Because he looks like a manga character come to life.) Nevertheless that's the least impressive thing about this 23-year-old performer. Known for his onstage swagger and ferocious flow, TY is an integral, if not intimidating, member of NCT — he's often featured in NCT U — and he is a little bit of a wunderkind any time it comes to rapping, singing, dancing, writing, and pulling off bold looks. Nevertheless offstage, Taeyong can be quite soft; he is a perfectionist who cares for his members. And he has a unhealthy obsession with cleaning and Febreze (hence the stage name Taebreze).
What to watch: Taeyong's magnetic performance in NCT U's "The 7th Sense" is a wonderful introduction to him as an artist; and "Yestoday" finds TY laying his past regrets bare over a chill trip-hop beat. Did I say that he's also adorable? And very good-looking.
Taeil
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Real name: Moon Taeil (nicknames: Taeyomi; Strony; Shin Taeil)
Role: Main vocalist
The oldest (and shortest) member of NCT, Taeil says he doesn't open up conveniently to his members, although he'll be the initial to get emotional as soon as his dongsaengs (little brothers) get sappy on him. The 24-year-old vocalist chose to pursue a career as an idol over attending university in 2013, a decision he agonized over for months. He's one of the strongest vocalists in NCT, and honestly, the honey-voiced idol was destined to soundtrack K-Dramas. And he brushes his teeth six times a day, which says a lot about his work ethic. That, and his love for acrostic poems, despite being hilariously bad at them.
What to watch: His live vocals are insane — and he can play guitar. Not to say, that high note in NCT U's "Without You" is cute.
Johnny
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Real name: John Seo / Korean name: Seo Youngho (nicknames: Johnny-cal; One and Only; Daddy)
Role: Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist
Place on Earth and raised in Chicago before moving to Seoul to pursue his dream, Johnny spent nine years as a trainee at SM before debuting with NCT 127 in 2017's "Limitless." (At one point, he even trained alongside a pre-debut EXO.) It's this dedication and drive that makes him such a fan-favorite among NCTzens. He's also an organic showman — he hosts "NCT Night Night" radio as well as Jaehyun — with a surprising gift for applying eyeliner under pressure.
What to watch: That time he explained the concept of "daddy" to Super Junior's Leeteuk is iconic ("oh, daddy"). He's also a striking visual.
Yuta
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Real name: Nakamoto Yuta (nicknames: Takoyaki Prince; Osaka Prince)
Role: Main Dancer, Rapper, Vocalist, Winwin's #1 Fan
Place on Earth in Japan, Yuta spent most of them of his adolescence dreaming of a professional soccer career. Nevertheless immediately after watching K-pop idol categorize TVXQ! Perform on television, he determined to pursue singing as a substitute. So he moved to Seoul at 17 to train with SM in 2012 and debuted four years later with NCT 127 in 2016's "Fire Truck." His athleticism makes him an organic dancer, and the 22-year-old performer finally got to flex his vocal talent on standout R&B ballad "No Longer." Nevertheless it's Yuta's savage humor and confidence that make him so alluring. Immediately considering that, this is a gentleman who says one of his hobbies is reading comments of how handsome he is.
What to watch: Have you ever seen someone eat a lemon this way? Also, Yuta's verse in "Fire Truck" deserves more attention.
Doyoung
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Real name: Kim Dongyoung (nicknames: Bunny; Wang Zeung)
Role: Main vocalist
Doyoung joined SM's pre-debut training team SMRookies in 2015 and debuted a little bit more than each year later with NCT U. Although the vocalist didn't officially join the NCT 127 lineup up until 2017 with the release of "Limitless." He looks and sounds like an angel, yet Doyoung has a very short fuse — and the members love to push his buttons. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, Doyoung is the mom of NCT; he might nag, although he also gives the best hugs. It also doesn't take much to prepare him a emotional mess.
What to watch: Doyoung's hook on "Yestoday" is a mood. His version of "Beauty and the Beast" is an even bigger mood.
Jaehyun
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Real name: Jung Jaehyun / Jung Yoonoh (nicknames: Memory Manipulator; Valentine Boy)
Role: Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer, Occasional Rapper, Mark's Soulmate
Jaehyun came to SM in 2013 soon after being scouted by the business in front of his school. He auditioned with EXO's "MAMA" — not having a resemble, he practiced the choreography in front of his living room window — and officially joined SMRookies. He debuted with NCT in 2016 with "The 7th Sense." With his prosperous voice and Disney-Prince good looks, it's easy to be able to see why each person is enamored by him — from variety show hosts, to female fans, to other idols, and his fellow members (even 2D Taeyong). He's also one of the group's three English-speaking members, having spent four years living in Connecticut as a child. This is also why he has such a soft spot for the High School Musical franchise.
What to watch: Time doesn't exist; there really is only Before You've Heard Jaehyun's Cover of "A Whole New World" and Soon after You've Heard Jaehyun's Cover of "A Whole New World."
Winwin
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Real name: Dong Sicheng (nickname: Win)
Role: Lead Dancer, Vocalist
There's only one thing you must know about NCT 127: Everybody loves Winwin, and Winwin hates everybody. (Just kidding... Maybe.) Unlike some of the other members, Winwin isn't big on skinship (platonic physical intimacy), yet that doesn't stop them from attempting to initiate contact with him anyway. He'd rather watch his K-Dramas in peace. Winwin is segment of NCT's beloved China line with Chenle (NCT Dream), Kun (NCT U), Renjun (NCT Dream), and Lucas (NCT U), and he's especially close with Renjun. (If you desire to cry, then watch young Renjun's message to his parents, in which he tells them not to worry because Winwin takes good care of him.) Ultimately, Winwin just shows his affection for his members in different ways.
What to watch: What Winwin wants, Winwin gets — especially around Taeyong. And let's never forget Winwin's now-iconic verse in the English version of typical
Jungwoo
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Real name: Kim Jungwoo (nickname: Jungwoo-s)
Role: Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer
Sweet, soft Jungwoo is the newest member of NCT 127, nevertheless he debuted earlier this year with a standout moment in NCT U's "Boss." Still, the 20-year-old singer gets adorably flustered any time someone hands him a mic. Yet he's routinely quick with a pretty funny comeback. ("Pretty funny?") He also bears a uncanny resemblance to fellow SM idol, Taemin. TBH, it's a little bit unnerving.
What to watch: NCTzens are still recovering from this "Boss" choreography.
Mark
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Real name: Mark Lee / Korean name: Lee Minhyung (nicknames: Yakkan Boy; Baby Lion)
Role: Main Rapper, Vocalist
The hardest-working guy in NCT, Mark debuted at age 16 with NCT's "The 7th Sense" and has since taken part in more comebacks than any other NCT member because of his famed roles in NCT 127, NCT U, and NCT Dream. He joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2012 immediately after a world audition process and became a rapper with his easy-going flow and stage charisma. Although the singer-songwriter's most endearing excellent is his extreme awkwardness. How this 19-year-old Canadian manages to transform from total mess into a rap god on stage is one of life's greatest mysteries. And he writes all of his own verses — and others' also
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