Tag: NCT

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NCT to Return as a Full Group With ‘Golden Age’

NCT poses for their third album 'Universe.' Credit: Facebook/NCT

2023 is looking to be an eventful year for K-pop act NCT and they’re capping it off with a new album as a full group. 

On Wednesday, August 9, NCT released the teaser for their fourth studio album Golden Age, which will be out on August 28. 

SM Entertainment confirmed that all 20 members in NCT’s different subgroups; NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV, will take part in the album.

The album will have two title tracks, including the full unit song “Golden Age.” Meanwhile, the other title track will be called “Baggy Jeans.” Only members Taeyeong, Ten, Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Mark reportedly took part in “Baggy Jeans.” 

Other details about the album have yet to be announced. 

Additionally, Golden Age will serve as NCT’s first full group comeback in more than a year and a half. Their last was the studio album Universe that was released in December 2021. 

Prior to the release of Golden Age, NCT will also hold their first-ever offline concert as a full group. Titled NCT Nation: To The World, it will be held on August 26 at the Incheon Munhak Stadium

 

NCT in 2023

2023 started with NCT having 23 members, but it has now whittled down to 20 following a series of changes. 

After a two-year hiatus, Lucas officially left NCT and WayV in May. SM Entertainment announced that Lucas plans to pursue a solo career. 

Also in May, Sungchan and Shotaro left NCT. The two, who made their debut as members of NCT in October 2020, were initially expected to join NCT’s next NCT unit. 

As of writing though, Sungchan and Shotaro are now members of RIIZE, SM Entertainment’s newest boy group. The seven-piece act is expected to debut on September 4 with the single album Get A Guitar.

 

Meanwhile, the members of NCT’s final unit will be formed through the predebut reality show NCT Universe: LASTART. 

 

Only six members will reportedly be part of NCT Tokyo. Four members are going to be chosen from the reality show NCT Universe: LASTART, while the other two members are SM Rookies Yushi and Sion.

Aside from that, NCT Lab also recently unveiled its lineup for four new releases and debuts. 

Featured image: NCT poses for their third album ‘Universe.’ Credit: Facebook/NCT

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These Are the Planned Albums, Concerts for SM Entertainment Acts for the Rest of 2023

SHINee releases album 'HARD' in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

2023 is looking to be an interesting year for SM Entertainment as they unveiled their plans for the coming months. 

On Wednesday, August 2, the agency unveiled its earnings release report for the second quarter of 2023.

The said report includes updates of their consolidated business results for the past quarter, as well as event line-up previews for the coming months. 

According to the report, SM Entertainment logged 35.7 billion won in operating profit for the second quarter of 2023. Their net income also increased by 11.6%, reporting 28.3% billion won. 

Meanwhile, their quarterly revenue improved by 30% to 239.8 billion won. 

The increase in revenue is attributed to the resumption of offline concerts globally and more merchandise sold through pop-up stores related to album releases. 

Relative to the increase, SM Entertainment specifically mentioned aespa’s EP My World, which sold over two million copies. 

Additionally, groups NCT DREAM, TVXQ!, and Red Velvet held the most offline concerts worldwide, with 17, 12 and 11, respectively. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of albums 

As for their upcoming music releases, eight SM Entertainment acts are slated to make a comeback in the third quarter. Meanwhile, 11 acts are scheduled the fourth quarter. 

Although the agency clarified that the lineup might change, here’s a rundown of what fans can possibly expect: 

3rd quarter:

For August, U-Know Yunho of TVXQ is confirmed to be releasing his third solo mini-album Reality Show on the 7th.

Meanwhile, Hyo, or Hyoyeon from Girls’ Generation, will be releasing a single.  Also for August, NCT might release an album and aespa with an English single.

Details for said releases have yet to be disclosed, but NCT will be having their first full-group concert NCT NATION: To the World on August 26, while aespa teased a release titled “Better Things.”

For September, Super Junior’s Yesung, SHINee’s Key, and EXO’s D.O. will be releasing their solo mini-albums. 

RIIZE, SM Entertainment’s first boy group in seven years, is also expected to make their official debut in September with a single. 

4th quarter:

Although there are no specific months yet, SHINee’s Minho and Super Junior’s Ryeowook will be releasing a single in the fourth quarter.

Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and SHINee’s Taemin will also be making their solo comebacks with mini-albums. 

Moreover, TVXQ! and Red Velvet might release full albums, while it’s undecided whether NCT127 will release a full-length album or a single. RIIZE is also expected to make a comeback in the fourth quarter with a single. 

As for international releases, WayV will have a full-length album in Chinese, while aespa might release an English single or mini-album. 

NCT Tokyo is also planned to make their debut in the fourth quarter with a Japanese single. Although the preview noted that the artist’s name is still tentative.

NCT Tokyo will reportedly have six members, with four being chosen from the reality survival show NCT Universe: The Lastart. It is also said to be the final sub-unit of NCT. 

What to expect for the rest of 2023 in terms of concerts 

 

Meanwhile, six acts will be having concert shows for the next months.

Taeyeon is currently embarking on the Asia leg of her The ODD Of Love show, which will run until late August. Additionally, aespa is doing the America and Europe stops of their Syk: Hyper Line shows until September. 

From August to September, Chen will have his Polaris tour in Japan. After their Seoul shows, NCT will bring their NCT NATION: To the World concert to Japan in September. 

SHINee will stage their World VI [Perfect Illumination] shows in Japan between September to October, while Yesung will kick off his solo concert tour in Seoul in October.

On top of that, the agency will also bring their SMTOWN LIVE concert to Jakarta in September. TVXQ!, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, and RIIZE will be performing. 

Stay tuned here for more updates about these upcoming releases and concerts. Which of these are you most looking forward to?  

Featured image: SHINee releases album ‘HARD’ in June. Credit: Facebook/SHINee

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Watch: Disney+ Releases Teaser for Nct 127’s ‘The Lost Boys’

NCT 127 will be releasing a documentary special on Disney+. Credit: Twitter/NCT 127

NCT127 is off to Neverland! Disney+ released on Tuesday, August 1, the first teaser for the K-pop group’s upcoming docu-series titled The Lost Boys. 

The 37-second clip featured clips from NCT 127’s Neo City – The Link concert tour in various cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Bangkok. 

It also included snippets of members Taeil, Johnny, Taeyeong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan doing individual activities. 

“NCT 127 like you’ve never seen them before,” the text in the teaser read. Disney+ also wrote: ”Come and join the lost boys in Neverland.  

 

NCT 127: The Lost Boys will see the members open up about their childhood dreams, pre-debut lives, and idol journey. 

The four-part documentary-series is directed by Jayil Park and created by Cho Youngchul and Yim Pilsung. 

Each episode will reportedly feature two to three different members of the group, with two episodes airing from August 30 to September 6. 

Aside from NCT 127, Disney+ has also launched documentary shows of other K-pop idols. The list includes BTS members Suga and j-hope, and groups Super Junior and Tomorrow X Together.

Launched in 2016, NCT 127 is best known for their songs “Cherry Bomb,” “Kick It,” “Sticker,” “2 Baddies” among others.

It is one of the sub-units of the SM Entertainment act NCT. Currently, NCT is set to establish their last sub-unit through the reality survival series NCT Universe: LASTART.

Featured image: NCT 127 will be releasing a documentary special on Disney+. Credit: Twitter/NCT 127

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Watch: SM Entertainment Releases Trailer for ‘Nct Universe: Lastart’

NCTzens, are you ready to meet the members of a brand-new NCT Unit? 

SM Entertainment released on Wednesday, July 19, the first trailer for its upcoming pre-debut reality show NCT Universe: LASTART. 

The two-and-a-half minute video gives fans a closer look at the 10 participating aspiring idols, the training and challenges that they had to go through, and the evaluators who will assess the performance of the candidates. 

SM Entertainment artists such as TVXQ’s Changmin, Super Junior’s Donghae, SHINee’s Taemin, EXO’s Xiumin, and NCT’s Ten and Taeyeong were shown to have visited the trainees in the practice room to give mentorship. 

Meanwhile, H.O.T’s Kangta, Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Ryeowook, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, and NCT’s Johnny and Haechan also had brief appearances in the trailer — but they all appeared to be giving feedback while sitting in a studio. 

BoA, Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, and SHINee’s Key were also introduced as “artist directors” for the show. 

Meet the 10 participants

Prior to the release of the trailer, SM Entertainment has also unveiled all 10 candidates through individual videos. Thep participating trainees go by the names: Riku, Ryo, Haruta, Kassho, Anderson, Jungmin, Ryu, Minjae,  Heitetsu, and Sakuya.

 

The trailer revealed that the 10 trainees were chosen from all over the world. 

Only six members will be part of NCT Tokyo. Four members are going to be chosen from the reality show NCT Universe: LASTART, while the other two members are SM Rookies Yushi and Sion. 

SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheo-hyuk announced in May that their plans of debuting several groups. 

NCT Tokyo will be the final sub-unit of NCT. Currently, NCT has 20 members that are scattered along several sub-units: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, and NCT U. NCT127 also has its own sub-unit, which is DoJaeJung. 

The agency also plans to debut a new girl group and a new boy group, which will include former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan and  SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan. 

SM Entertainment has yet to announce final debut dates for these said groups. Stay tuned here for more updates!

Featured image: Screenshot from SM’s YouTube

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Smtown Live 2023 Is Coming to Jakarta in September

Rejoice, Indonesian K-pop fans because SM Entertainment is bringing their highly-anticipated company-wide concert SMTOWN LIVE 2023 to Jakarta! 

The agency announced on Wednesday, July 26, that the concert featuring artists from SM Entertainment will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 23. 

The one-night show will feature performances and appearances from eight acts, including TVXQ!, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, aespa, as well as SM Entertainment’s upcoming new boy group. 

The label added that the celebration is even more special as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Indonesia. “With our upcoming show, we will reflect on the meaning of harmony while promoting more active cultural exchange between the two countries.”

The SMTOWN LIVE 2023 in Jakarta might serve as the first international schedule for SM’s new boy group. Although the agency remains tight-lipped about the upcoming act, a representative has earlier confirmed that said group is gearing up for a September debut. 

SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheol Hyuk has also revealed that the new boy group will have former NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro and SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan as part of its lineup. The seven-piece act will also feature other members of Korean and American nationalities. 

First staged in 2008, SM TOWN LIVE is a concert tour held by SM Entertainment artists. It had stops in Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. 

The last SM TOWN LIVE 2023 concert in Jakarta will be the second time it’ll be held in Indonesia, with the first being in September 2012. 

Featured image: Red Velvet’s Facebook

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Look: NCT 127’s Docu-Series on Disney+ to Chronicle the Group’s Idol Journey

Good news, NCTzens! K-pop boy group NCT 127 is set to star in their first documentary series on Disney+! 

Titled NCT 127: The Lost Boys, the four-part documentary-series will delve into the pre-debut lives of the nine group members, their journey to stardom, and their thoughts on the group’s current success. 

Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and heartwarming anecdotes, members Taeil, Johnny, Taeyeong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan, will open up about their personal challenges, sacrifices, triumphs, and connection as a group. 

Each episode will reportedly feature two to three different members of the group, with two episodes airing from August 30 to September 6. 

NCT 127: The Lost Boys is directed by Jayil Park and created by Cho Youngchul and Yim Pilsung. It is the latest documentary offering of Disney+ that revolves around K-pop idols. Other acts who have documentary shows with Disney+ include BTS members Suga and j-hope, and groups Super Junior and Tomorrow X Together. 

Launched in 2016, NCT 127 is one of the sub-units of the SM Entertainment act NCT. The group is best known for their songs “Cherry Bomb,” “Kick It,” “Sticker,” “2 Baddies.”  

The sub-unit also recently celebrated their seventh anniversary since debut.

In April, NCT 127 launched their first sub-unit – NCT DoJaeJung, which is composed of members Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo. 

Meanwhile, NCT is set to establish their last sub-unit through the reality survival series NCT Universe: LASTART.

Featured image from NCT 127’s Facebook

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SM Entertainment Announces Upcoming Reality Show NCT Universe: LASTART

In an exciting announcement, SM Entertainment revealed its plans to launch a reality show titled NCT Universe: LASTART, through which they will handpick new members for their highly popular boy group, NCT.

The show, set to commence on July 27, aims to provide a transparent and captivating glimpse into the process of selecting members for the upcoming NCT NEW TEAM.

The name LASTART is a clever combination of “LAST” and “START.” It symbolizes the conclusion of NCT‘s infinite expansion concept while signifying the beginning of a fresh chapter with the new team. The press release from SM Entertainment to Herald Pop shed light on the show’s premise and objectives.

Viewers will have the chance to witness the intricate procedures involved in member composition, rigorous training, intensive practice sessions, and, ultimately, the formation of the final team. The show is set to captivate global audiences, as it will be broadcasted on multiple platforms, including ENA and TVING in Korea, Nippon TV in Japan, and KOCOWA+ in North, Central, and South America.

As anticipation builds for NCT Universe: LASTART, fans worldwide eagerly await the unveiling of talented new members who will contribute to the continued success and evolution of the esteemed NCT family.

Featured Photo Credit: NCT Official Twitter Account

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Watch: SM Entertainment Reveals New SM Rookies Yushi, Sion

Meet Yushi and Sion, the newest trainees that joined SM Entertainment’s pre-debut team called SM Rookies. 

On Wednesday, June 28, the agency released two videos featuring Yushi and Sion. The almost one-minute clips teased fans on the visuals and skills of both aspiring idols. 

Although SM Entertainment didn’t provide any additional details about the two, Yushi and Sion’s introduction came a month after the agency unveiled its plans about a new NCT unit and the debut of several SM Rookies. 

In May, SM Entertainment CEO Jang Cheo-hyuk shared that the new NCT sub-unit will be the group’s last. Currently, NCT has 20 members that are scattered along several sub-units: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, and NCT U. NCT127 also has its own sub-unit, which is DoJaeJung. 

At the time, Jang said that SM Entertainment will soon introduce two new members – one Korean and one Japanese – that will become part of NCT’s new unit. Other members of the said sub-unit will be selected from a pre-debut reality show. 

It was also then when the CEO mentioned that Shohei, who was introduced as part of SM Rookies, won’t be joining NCT’s new unit due to health reasons. He will pursue individual activities, instead.

Meanwhile, former NCT members Shotaro and Sungchan are confirmed to debut as a new boy group under SM Entertainment later in 2023, alongside SM Rookies Eunseok and Seunghan. The lineup for the new boy group will also include members of Korean and American nationalities. 

Stay tuned for more updates on which SM Entertainment group Yushi and Sion are debuting.

Featured Image from SMTOWN’s YouTube account

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NCT’s Johnny Halts Activities Following Clavicle Injury

Johnny is taking a break after a surprising injury. The NCT member has injured his clavicle and is required to wear a brace. This means that Johnny Suh will have to halt his upcoming activities to focus on his recovery.

SM Entertainment Announces NCT Member Johnny’s Clavicle Injury and Temporary Hiatus

On June 12, SM Entertainment issued a statement confirming Johnny’s injury. According to the statement, Johnny “bumped his right shoulder against a studio door” while filming new content. The impact was serious enough for the NCT member to go to the hospital to receive a medical examination.

“According to the results, his right clavicle (collarbone) is fractured, and he received medical advice that he should wear a brace to secure the relevant area and to minimize movement until recovery,” the statement read.

The agency also announced that the NCT member will “temporarily halt all his scheduled activities and focus on treatment and recovery.” SM promised to provide an update on Johnny’s return at a later date.

“We sincerely apologize for causing concern to fans with the sudden news,” the statement added. “The agency will put the artist’s treatment as priority and help Johnny focus on his recovery. We will do our best so that he can greet fans again in good health.”

Johnny’s recovery is certainly important for NCT. It has just been confirmed that NCT will hold five full-group stadium concerts.

“NCT Nation: To The World“ will also feature performances from all of the subunits. It is possible that the new subunit NCT Tokyo will also be introduced. The stadium concerts will take place in South Korea and Japan at the Incheon Munhak Stadium, Yanmar Stadium Nagai, and Ajinomoto Stadium from August to September 2023.

Johnny joined NCT in January 2017. Seo Young Ho is also a member of NCT U and NCT 127.

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Ferragamo Confirms NCT’s Jeno as First Global Male Ambassador

Ferragamo has found its new global ambassador. NCT member Jeno was chosen to represent the Italian luxury brand in its upcoming international campaigns.

NCT’s Jeno Named Ferragamo’s First Global Male Ambassador

The official Ferragamo Instagram account confirmed the news with a new image of Jeno.

“Ferragamo is pleased to announce K-pop artist Jeno Lee as the brand’s first global male ambassador,” the caption reads. “This partnership seals the relationship between Ferragamo and Jeno, who have started building ties prior to this announcement.”

The post also shares a statement from the brand’s Creative Director Maximilian Davis who is thrilled to be working with the NCT member.

“We’re driven by the same passion in our creativity and feel fortunate to have him join Ferragamo,” Davis said.

Lee Jeno admits that he is already hyped up about the collaboration.

“I am very excited to create a synergy with the brand and looking forward to disclosing our future projects! Stay tuned on both of us!'” the NCT Dream member said.

Being the first global male ambassador for Ferragamo is certainly a great honor for Jeno. Needless to say, fans are already looking forward to the new campaigns.

It’s no surprise that Jeno was chosen by Ferragamo. He started out as a child model before becoming a trainee for SM Entertainment. Lee Jeno is also the first K-pop artist to open for a New York Fashion Week show when he walked for Peter Do’s spring 2023 collection show.

In related news, fellow NCT member Doyoung was recently announced as the new ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana.

“I’m truly excited to become part of the great Dolce & Gabbana family. I feel a strong connection that I think can give rise to a powerful synergy between me and the brand. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Dolce & Gabbana and I will create together,” Doyoung said of the collaboration.

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