NCT DREAM has returned to fans with ‘Refreshing Dream’.

NCT Dream‘s 4th full-length album ‘Dreamscape’ will be released in full on various music sites at 6 PM on the 11th. The music video for the title song ‘When I’m With You’ will be released simultaneously through YouTube SMTOWN channel and other channels.

In particular, the title song ‘When I‘m With You’ is a house-based electronic pop song with an impressive and addictive chorus. The lyrics express the image of the singer falling for ‘you’ whom he met in ‘Dreamscape’ and the complex emotions he feels when he’s with ‘you’.

In addition, the dynamic story that unfolds in the dreamlike landscape ‘Dreamscape’ that NCT Dream encounters as they escape the dark reality and set out in search of an ideal dream space is organically composed over a total of 11 songs. Members Mark and Haechan actively participated in the song production and completed NCT Dream‘s unique stories.

The following is a Q&A about their 4th full-length album directly from NCT Dream.

Q. It’s already our 4th full-length album. How do you feel about releasing your 4th full-length album?

- Mark: I think it‘s an album that we’ve been looking forward to so much! Since the members participated a lot in the production, I think the album has a new color added to it while still being NCT Dream-like. I‘m also really looking forward to their promotions.

- Jeno: I’m excited because it‘s been a while since our comeback, and I’m also surprised and amazed that we‘re already releasing our 4th full-length album.

Q. What kind of album is your 4th full-length album? What message do you want to convey with this album?

- Renjun: We depicted the story of us escaping from a dark world and moving into a bright one like a fairy tale. We want to convey the message, ‘Let’s live in an even brighter world!’.

- Jaemin: ‘Dreamscape’ is a wonderful album that happily concludes a long journey of one year. I hope many people will be happy after listening to this album. (laughs)

Q. This album is a continuation of the previous work, ‘Dream Escape’ (DREAM( )SCAPE), but did you plan and start planning for two albums from the very beginning? I‘m curious about the preparation process.

- Haechan: Yes, we prepared it in two albums from the planning stage. It would be good to put all the stories in one album, but I thought we would be able to tell a richer story through two works with a connected story. I think we were able to show various stories and musical colors by unraveling the conflicting themes of pain and suffering felt in reality and freedom and joy in utopia through storytelling.

- Jisung: From the first production meeting, the idea of connecting the stories of the albums came up. So we’ve been preparing step by step since July of last year, and it feels like a year-long project has finally been completed.

Q. What did you feel when you first heard the title song ‘When I‘m With You’?

- Mark: I thought, “This has popularity!” (laughs) I had high expectations because it’s a refreshing and popular song that fits well with NCT Dream.

- Jaemin: Among the title candidates, this song was the one I thought would fit NCT Dream well from the beginning. I thought Czennies were also waiting for NCT Dream‘s refreshing music.

Q. What kind of charms of NCT Dream do you plan to show with the title song ‘When I’m With You’?

- Chenle: I think we‘ll be able to show the charms of NCT Dream that have grown even more. It’s more trendy and sophisticated and refreshing than before!

- Jisung: I think we‘ll be able to show NCT Dream’s unique charm that‘s neither too cute nor too cool.

Q. Is there a reaction you want to get about the new album?

- Haechan: I hope Czennies will warmly welcome the refreshing Dream that’s back after a long time!

- Jaemin: I hope the fans like it first, and it would be nice to hear people say, “It‘s a good NCT Dream-like album.” (laughs)

Q. How would you describe this album in one word?

- Renjun: Refreshing, NCT DREAM style

- Jeno: Hope and refreshing dreams

Q. We’re nearing the end of our third world tour, ‘The Dream Show 3: Dream Escape’. We‘ve met fans in 25 regions around the world up close. What have you learned and felt through this world tour?

- Mark: I feel this way every tour, but I realize that a great show is possible thanks to the hard work and help of the many staff members around me. I realized once again that it was possible because the members were together. More than anything, I felt that we were able to travel to many places around the world and perform thanks to our precious fans.

- Chenle: It really touched me to see Czennies from all over the world enjoying our stage and being happy. I felt once again that we communicate through music, and thanks to that, it was a meaningful time for us to enjoy the stage more and communicate with Season 1.

Q. Now, the Seoul encore concert is left. What are some things to watch for?

- Jeno: I think it will be a concert that will highlight the charms of not only Childream as a group, but also each member.

- Jisung: You will be able to see a stage that has been upgraded since the first concert. We are working hard to make up for the shortcomings of the Seoul concert and prepare to create an even better concert, so please look forward to it!

Q. Lastly, please say a word to Season 1 who are always with NCT Dream.

- Mark: I want to tell Season 1 who are always with us, NCT Dream is always by your side. Childream will protect Season 1’s happiness, always make them smile, and give them inspiration! Thank you so much for cheering us on, and let’s enjoy this ‘When I’m With You‘ promotion together!

- Renjun: We will work hard to become an NCT Dream that gives strength to Czennies as much as you cheer us on. Please look forward to our 4th full-length album.

- Jeno: Thank you for waiting for so long. Please enjoy the refreshing dreams that Czennies have been waiting for in this album. (Laughs)

- Haechan: I hope this album will be good music that will always be by your side. I hope we can always have fun and be happy together.

- Jaemin: Thank you for always being with NCT Dream, and we will become someone who can return the love you all have. Let’s be together in the future, Czennies.

- Chenle: Thank you for always cheering us on, and I‘m really looking forward to this promotion. Let’s make many memories together in the future!

- Ji Sung: From the March album to this album and the world tour, we were so happy to be with Season 2 in 2024. Let‘s enjoy the remaining time and finish it well, and let’s start 2025 together with energy!


Reporter Yoo Ji Hye yjh0304@donga.com