NCT, the first K-pop group to present a new model of ‘expanded group’, is leading the enthusiastic response of the global fandom by carrying out various activities from units to solo this year.

NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Wish, each showing different personalities under the ‘signboard’NCT’,’, have each achieved ‘career highs’, which has led foreign media to shed light on their new way to success.

NCT 127‘s name was simultaneously listed on the year-end charts of American music magazine Billboard and British pop culture magazine Dazed with their 6th full-length album ‘Work’, released in July.

Billboard included ‘Walk’ on its list of ‘25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024: Staff Picks’, praising it as “An album that stands out for its captivating details and superb perfection. It proves why they are considered one of the best K-pop vocalists.”

NCT 127 then placed ‘Fresh’, a track from ‘Walk’, on Dazed’s ‘50 Best K-Pop Songs of 2024’. The list also included ‘I Can‘t Feel Anything’, a track from NCT Dream’s fifth mini-album ‘Dream Escape’, released in March, and ‘Roses’, a track from NCT 127 member Jaehyun‘s first solo album ‘Jay’, released in August.

Through this, Dazed praised NCT Dream, saying, “They clearly showed their creative growth” and Jaehyun, saying, “They proved that his solo debut was worth waiting for.”

American magazine Teen Vogue introduced Jaehyun’s solo song, “Can‘t Get You” and NCT Dream’s English single, “Rains in Heaven” in detail through the “Best K-Pop of 2024: Songwriters‘ Choice” chart.

NCT Wish, the “youngest group” who officially debuted in February, has solidified their position as “Rookie of the Year” with a series of hits such as “Steady” and “Dunk Shot.”

NCT’s activities are expected to continue next year as well. NCT 127 will hold their fourth world tour ‘Neo City - The Momentum’ at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on January 18-19 next year. NCT Wish is also planning an eight-region tour in Asia in March next year. Mark, who is part of NCT 127 and NCT Dream, is scheduled to release his first solo album in April next year.


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com