Note: Rogers & Cowen PMK requested that group member names be stylized in all caps wherever possible.
Alongside other student journalists from across the United States, the New University had the privilege to be invited to attend NCT DREAM’s College Roundtable on April 9. Currently on their first-ever world tour, “NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2 : In A DREAM,” the K-pop boy group answered questions before hitting the stage at their Atlanta concert.
NCT DREAM is the youngest sub-group of K-pop boy group NCT, who are known as the most innovative group in K-pop history. Formed by SM Entertainment in 2016, NCT stands for “Neo Culture Technology,” which describes how the group has the potential to have an unlimited number of members.
NCT is known for its global reputation with members from all across the world — South Korea, Canada, the United States, China, Japan, Thailand, Macao, Taiwan and Hong Kong. As of this writing, the group has 23 members who are all divided into five different sub-groups. These sub-groups include: NCT U, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT 2018 and WayV (NCT China). The members in NCT DREAM include MARK LEE, HAECHAN, CHENLE, RENJUN, JENO, JISUNG and JAEMIN.
Donning their stage costumes, the members sat in two rows while facing the camera to greet the student journalists with an off-camera translator. At the start of the call, MARK explained why they thought it was important to take the time to speak to us while on their U.S. tour.
“We all debuted at a very early age, and we started our careers when we were all below or under the age of 18…We had this goal to make this motto, and we wanted to be a symbol of healing to our listeners and to be a beacon of hope to everyone that sees us and that supports us, and especially for people that were young like us with young dreams. Once we heard that you guys are aspiring and striving to be the journalists that you’re all dreaming of, it felt perfect and meaningful for us to come by and say hi and see that there are people like us who are trying so hard for their dreams,” MARK said.
On March 7, NCT DREAM announced that they were heading stateside for their first headlining tour of the United States. Their seven-date U.S. leg of “THE DREAM SHOW2: In A DREAM” began at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on April 5. Although they performed at KCON in 2022, this was their first time touring in the United States.
“For this tour, it’s pretty much the embarkation of a world tour. We’ve never done this before, even though it’s been around eight years since we debuted,” MARK said. “We’re now beginning to really see the world and travel all over the world to see our fans…We really had prepared a very strong performance wise and just our mindset wise to make sure that we can show the world our capabilities and what we are striving for.”
Prior to arriving in the U.S., NCT DREAM had already performed all across Asia and Europe since their tour started in September 2022. When asked about the activities they do to recharge during their tour, the members did not hesitate to answer before laughing at one another’s responses.
“Playing games… and shopping…and drinking beer,” HAECHAN said humorously.
“As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the gym,” JAEMIN remarked.
“I played basketball with Mark,” CHENLE added.
“Watching movies really does kill time,” MARK said. “You can get motivation and inspiration from the movies, so I always kind of stay up to watch any films…and go to department stores and do shopping that kind of alleviates stress, [like] getting a new nice looking shirt.”
Despite their hectic schedules whenever they land in another country, they always prioritize enjoying their time there, such as visiting famous landmarks to take photos and appreciating local food.
“We are very much looking forward to Texas barbecue,” RENJUN said. “I love it… Texas Barbecue…”
Since they have primarily performed in Asia, there was a preconceived notion that it is different to perform for an American and international audience. However, they said otherwise.
“I would have to say that more so than having differences in our stages, it’s really just all of the experiences that we were able to gain from all of the past tours and cities that we’ve gone to and performed at,” JENO said. “Through that, we are able to try harder and just be able to freely express ourselves even more… We are also leveling up and upgrading to another level.”
“I think each city that we performed at has its own different charm and atmosphere,” RENJUN said. “For example, when we performed in Newark or even Paris, I felt like we were able to really kind of enjoy those moments together with our fans. It also gave us a lot more strength.”
Originally, NCT DREAM was known as the rotational sub-group for the teenaged members of NCT where the members would go through a graduation-based system once they have reached the age of adulthood in South Korea of 20 years old — 19 years old internationally. However, after hearing their fans’ pleas, SM Entertainment decided to keep them as a fixed sub-group.
Now as young 20-year-olds, they weighed in on what advice they’d give to their younger selves.
As the youngest member to debut at 14, JISUNG said, “I would tell myself not to be scared or shy. Back then I was concerned about what people would think, but I don’t think there’s a need for that.”
“Our growth is definitely visible in our music,” MARK said. “We really like to put our experiences and emotions into our music as much as we can. We are still growing, and I think our fans are growing with us.”
As for what advice they’d give to their fans in college, RENJUN provided some heartfelt words to NCTzens — their fanbase name.
“Your college years are when you have the most passion and the most strength to pursue your dreams,” he explained. “I would say to do everything that you want to do so you live without regrets.”
RENJUN reflected on a time when they witnessed how their music changed their fan’s life. During a video call event, they met an NCTzen who was distressed over a recent surgical procedure they had to undergo, but they listened to NCT DREAM’s song “Hello Future” beforehand to find strength and peace.
“When I heard this story, I was very touched. It made everything that we worked on feel much more meaningful,” RENJUN stated.
Following their Chicago and Atlanta show, they will jet to Houston, Dallas and Anaheim before finishing up their tour in Seattle on April 21. No strangers to the “City of Angels,” the boys mentioned what they were looking forward most to when they visit Los Angeles.
“I can really have some In-N-Out burgers right now… And the animal style french fries,” MARK said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Six Flags!” JAEMIN exclaimed.
“We are also looking forward to seeing the passion of the fans in L.A. as well,” RENJUN added.
Amongst other successful K-pop groups, NCT DREAM stands out with their unique sound and dynamic personalities.
“Every K-pop has a different color, but for NCT DREAM, it is really the hope that we are trying to give to the youth, the story that we have, and just the fun that we are able to show through our music as well,” RENJUN said.
With a deep sense of love and appreciation towards their fans, their global success does not come as a huge surprise. Despite their unwavering global success at such a young age, their humility shined throughout the interview.
“Don’t forget that you guys are still so young, if you guys go on the road and feel like ‘ah, this isn’t for me,’ you still have time to do something else,” MARK added before sincerely thanking the journalists and signing off the call to join their beloved NCTzens on stage in Atlanta.
Annabella Johan is a 2022-2023 Arts and Entertainment Editor. She can be reached at ajohan@uci.edu.
Kamilla Jafarova is an Entertainment Staff Writer. She can be reached at kjafarov@uci.edu.