Get to know NCT Dream: A guide to the K-pop group's members, milestones and US tour
NCT Dream continues to cement its spot as a top international act. From high-selling and chart-hitting music releases to various awards, the group has received consistent success since its debut in 2016.
With over 11.8 million followers on Instagram, 9.7 million followers on Twitter and 5.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, NCT Dream is making its mark across globe.
The group recently embarked on its first U.S. headlining tour with stops in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and more. USA TODAY chatted with NCT Dream before the U.S. leg's inaugural show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on April 5.
Here's everything you need to know about the K-pop group NCT Dream, from its members to its milestones.
Who is NCT Dream?
NCT Dream is a seven member K-pop boy group under SM Entertainment. Composed of members Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung, NCT Dream debuted in 2016 with the song "Chewing Gum." The single reached No. 2 on the Billboard world digital songs sales chart.
The group is the third sub-group of NCT, which is divided into four sub-groups – NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV; and one sub-unit – NCT DoJaeJung.
Initially, the group's concept was to be the rotational unit for the teenaged members of NCT. The members would go through a graduation-based system, leaving NCT Dream once they reached the age of adulthood in South Korea, or turned 20 years old (19 internationally). This was changed in 2020 after the group released "Reload."
The group's leader Mark had "graduated" in 2018 but after the reorganization, he returned for the release of "Hot Sauce" in 2021. Since then, NCT Dream has remained a fixed unit.
From debut, the group has grown and developed "in so many ways," said Mark.
"I think for us in the beginning, it was really about getting to know this whole K-pop system and within that, finding our own identity and being able to showcase that to everyone around," said Haechan. "Now that we are on our first world tour, it's about really showing to the fans and to the audience what we have prepared within that time."
How many members are in NCT Dream?
There are seven members:
Mark (Full name: Mark Lee) Born Aug. 2, 1999. Hometown: Toronto.
Renjun (Full name: Huang Renjun) Born March 23, 2000. Hometown: Jilin, China.
Jeno (Full name: Lee Je-no) Born April 23, 2000. Hometown: Ilsan, South Korea.
Haechan (Full name: Lee Dong-hyuck) Born June 6, 2000. Hometown: Seoul, South Korea.
Jaemin (Full name: Na Jae-min) Born Aug. 13, 2000. Hometown: Jeonju, South Korea.
Chenle (Full name: Zhong Chenle) Born Nov. 22, 2001. Hometown: Shanghai.
Jisung (Full name: Park Ji-sung) Born Feb. 5, 2002. Hometown: Seoul.
The group debuted nearly seven years ago, but the members have known each other for much longer, from their trainee days.
"NCT Dream kind of feels like a journal," said Haechan. "I would have to say that was our start, and since then, every day just feels like we're recording one day at a time."
Being in NCT Dream is like winning 'the lottery'
Through those years, NCT Dream has been able to share many memories, creating a close bond.
"To me, NCT Dream feels like a second family; I've spent pretty much half my life with all the members," said Jisung. "It's just great to be able to experience all these great things together as a family."
Chenle shared similar sentiments, calling the members of NCT Dream his "real brothers."
"Whether we're working or just having fun, it's always a great time being with each other," he said. "There's a lot to learn from each of the individual members here, and I am also able to grow through all of that, so I feel like it's a very special relationship we have."
For Renjun, being a member of NCT Dream has been a very meaningful experience.
"It feels like the lottery," he said. "We've all come from different backgrounds. All of the individual members are all very special and shine in their own ways. To have been able to spend our youth together is an experience no one is able to have, except for me."
NCT Dream has been something each member is thankful for.
"For me, NCT Dream is a place that allows me to be able to achieve all the things I've desired to do," said Jeno.
For Jaemin, NCT Dream is his "hometown" and "family." "I can dedicate my everything to my members," he said.
"I'm with my teammates, but mostly with my friends," said Mark. "We're breaking the world as friends."
What does NCT Dream stand for?
NCT is an acronym for "neo culture technology." It was coined by SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man.
The second half of the group's name, "Dream" reflects its commitment to releasing music that focuses on youth, adolescence and growth.
"We kind of represent, in a way, youth itself," said Mark. "NCT Dream has always been such a youthful team, and now we're just showing the world, and our fans, through our music the growth of who we were and how we're still growing."
What are NCT Dream fans called?
The fandom name for NCT is "NCTzen" (pronounced N-Citizen). The members of NCT use the nickname "Czennie" ("Seasony") for their fans.
NCT Dream first U.S. tour
On April 5, NCT Dream embarked on its first U.S. headlining tour. "The Dream Show 2: In A Dream" tour began in September 2022 with two sold-out shows at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in South Korea. During the tour, the group will visit 22 cities across globe with more to come.
On the U.S. leg, NCT Dream includes stops in several cities:
Newark, New Jersey – Prudential Center (Wednesday, April 5).
Chicago – Allstate Arena (Friday, April 7).
Atlanta – State Farm Arena (Sunday, April 9).
Houston – Toyota Center (Wednesday, April 12).
Dallas – Texas Trust CU Theatre (Friday, April 14).
Los Angeles – Honda Center (Tuesday, April 18).
Seattle – Climate Pledge Arena (Friday, April 21).
"I am very excited and very much looking forward to it," said Chenle. "I am very curious to see what kind of stages we are able to create together with our U.S. fans."
On tour, those stages are full of high energy and fun. Whether it's through the show's start with "Glitch Mode" or the final bow with "Candy," the members showcase their energy and love toward NCTzens.
Through each stage, the members hope the fans can take away an optimistic outlook.
"I would want them to be able to learn to have a positive mindset in everything that they do; to just always be happy and be able to overcome any circumstances that they're in," said Renjun.
NCT Dream milestones
Throughout the years, NCT Dream has received various awards and accolades.
Most recently, the group won the grand award, or daesang, at the Seoul Music Awards in 2023. Additionally, they won Best Album at the 2022 Hanteo Music Awards and won Album of the Year for "Glitch Mode" and Singer of the Year at the 2022 Genie Music Awards.
Since their debut, NCT Dream has released two studio albums, two reissues, one live album, five EPs and many singles.
The group's second studio album "Glitch Mode" surpassed more than 2 million pre-orders on release day. The album's title track peaked at No. 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. Its first studio album "Hot Sauce" had 1.71 million preorders and was named Best Album at the 31st Seoul Music Awards. Most recently, the group released an English version of "Beatbox" on March 21.
For three consecutive years, NCT Dream was named on Billboard’s “21 Under 21: Music’s Next Generation” from 2018 to 2020. The group was also the only Asian artists on TIME Magazine’s “25 Most Influential Teens of 2018.”
As their seventh debut anniversary approaches in August, the group's momentum is not slowing down.
"NCT Dream is the future," Haechan said.
"This is just the beginning," Mark said.
Are you ready for more? Catch up on K-pop:
Enhypen drops 'Dark Blood' new music: All you need to know about the K-pop 'powerhouses'
Meet Tomorrow X Together: A guide to the group's members, tour, awards and more
'I'm Fearless': Get to know Le Sserafim, K-pop's rising girl group
'Blackpink in your area': Everything to know about the alluring group's members, tour and more
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCT Dream interview: NCT Dream on the group's first US tour and more
Solve the daily Crossword
