When NCT DREAM made their stay Stateside return final August as one in all KCON’s most anticipated performers, a quiet second when youngest member Jisung sang simply two phrases from the boy band’s debut single “Chewing Gum” noticed the Crypto.com Enviornment viewers erupting into shrieks. It was a quick-but-telling indication of the native curiosity within the younger boy band that made its Billboard 200 debut final yr and not using a correct label deal.
Whereas final summer season’s pageant look solely included 5 of the seven NCT DREAM members, all the DREAM crew is now gearing up for a correct go to to America.
On Tuesday (March 21), NCT DREAM dropped the English model of their nostalgic hip-hop single “Beatbox” earlier than heading out on one other string of dates in The Dream Show2: In a Dream world tour that features seven area exhibits in April. Whereas many Ok-pop acts rapidly make their approach to the U.S. for concert events and alternatives — together with NCT counterparts NCT 127, who started selling within the States closely after one yr collectively — NCT DREAM is enjoying throughout the U.S. greater than six and a half years after their debut. Whereas it could have felt like a protracted wait, the band says the timing for the subsequent step of their “journey” was vital they usually’re contemplating all facets to make the subsequent legs of the world tour particular.
NCT DREAM’s Mark, Haechan, Renjun, Jeno, Chenle, Jaemin and Jisung inform Billboard that their latest English tune not solely was a gift for the abroad followers they’re visiting, but additionally delivered a contemporary musical expertise for the band too. Because the septet trace that extra English tracks are on the best way, and add they’re “actively taking part” of their forthcoming studio album due later this yr, the main target proper now’s showcasing the onstage synergy of those seven — or “7DREAM,” as they name themselves.
Learn extra from the 7DREAM guys, together with ideas on their newest music, touring aspirations, messages for NCTzen followers, and what’s subsequent for NCT DREAM.
Congratulations on the current information of your rising world tour and English single “Beatbox.” You debuted in 2016; why is now the appropriate time to focus a few of your time on the west?
MARK: Every part comes with timing. This yr, we’re touring on a scale like by no means earlier than and felt it’d be good to launch an English single since we’re assembly followers around the globe. We are able to’t wait to additional proceed our journey with all of our followers.
How was the expertise of recording this new model of “Beatbox”? Is that this indicating extra English music from NCT DREAM?
RENJUN: It felt like we have been recording a brand new tune when engaged on the English model of “Beatbox” so it was fairly enjoyable. I attempted to document in a means that’d swimsuit the vibe of the observe, and I consider this model exhibits NCT DREAM’s personal colours properly so I hope everybody enjoys!
HAECHAN: It’s been a yr since we labored on this observe once more so I really feel like we did higher with recording this spherical. The demo observe was truly in English; the vibe we first bought when listening to it mixed very well with NCT DREAM’s to provide this model its personal sense of uniqueness. And I hope folks will stay up for listening to extra of NCT DREAM’s English tracks!
What ought to followers count on from the U.S. leg of the The Dream Show2? Will you put together particular phases, or do you wish to preserve the present present intact?
JENO: This U.S. tour will probably be an opportunity for followers to be taught extra about NCT DREAM. We’re additionally working laborious to guarantee that our exhibits are a spot of interplay with our followers. We’ve solely carried out within the U.S. twice earlier than, so it’ll be thrilling to get to see totally different places, keep longer and meet extra of our worldwide followers.
JAEMIN: I hope followers are excited for not solely the “Beatbox” English model however all of the phases we’ve ready! Plenty of work went into getting ready to lastly meet our U.S. NCTzens—we hope they’re equally as excited to see NCT DREAM.
That is your first time performing your personal concert events in America and also you’re enjoying arenas. Is anybody shocked by the demand for NCT DREAM within the States?
CHENLE: It’s mind-blowing to see so many individuals present their love and help, and I can’t categorical sufficient how grateful we’re.
JISUNG: That is the primary time after the pandemic that we’re going to the U.S. as “7DREAM,” so it hasn’t fairly hit us but however I’m positive the second we see our followers up shut, it’ll sink in.
MARK and HAECHAN, you’ve had some expertise with NCT 127 selling throughout the U.S. Did you share any recommendation with the opposite members?
MARK: The one recommendation I informed them was how laborious we’re going to work. [Laughs] Regardless of my expertise with NCT 127, selling for NCT DREAM is a brand new starting and expertise for all of the seven of us. The one factor I needed to focus on with our members was to be able to work additional laborious, and to strive our greatest to work together with our followers as a lot as we are able to.
HAECHAN: I simply hope everybody enjoys the second. It’s our first time within the U.S. as 7DREAM and I’m positive individuals are excited as properly, nevertheless it’s vital that we take pleasure in it ourselves in order that we are able to create these reminiscences for our followers.
Something you’re notably enthusiastic about seeing through the tour?
JENO: I’m most excited to listen to the cheers of our NCTzens in all of the international locations and cities we’ll be going to.
CHENLE: I’m trying ahead to displaying the superb phases we’ve ready to all of the NCTzens that’ll be coming to see us! I’m additionally excited to be going to California as a result of I’m an enormous Stephen Curry fan! We haven’t had a lot time to discover the U.S. so even the thought of merely being in California is thrilling.
NCT DREAM has been so busy! You launched Sweet for the vacations, your first Japanese single “Greatest Good friend Ever” on the high of 2023, there are Asia, Europe and now U.S. tour dates; when are you discovering the time to chill out and relaxation?
RENJUN: Even once we’re busy with a number of actions, it’s all the time a great time as a result of it’s spent with my members so even working seems like enjoyable — that in itself appears like therapeutic to me!
JISUNG: When now we have numerous schedules, there are occasions once we aren’t capable of relaxation as a lot however I’m the sort of one who beneficial properties extra power from staying lively. I do make positive to chill out and maintain myself although on days which can be much less busy.
What else can we stay up for in 2023? We’ve seen a studio album on the schedule for you. Are there any spoilers you possibly can share?
JAEMIN: We’re actively taking part in our upcoming full-length album and dealing very laborious to carry out the most effective. I hope folks will be capable to see simply how a lot we’ve put into it when the album comes out.
The rest so as to add for Billboard readers or U.S. followers?
MARK: NCT DREAM is right here to see you guys!!! Thanks to all of the followers that waited so patiently for us to return—can’t wait to indicate you NCT DREAM and the way we actually care about our time right here within the west. See you, guys!
