NCT DREAM reflect on ten years together, as they release their 6th full length album ‘DREAM AFTER DREAM’

NCT DREAM (a sub-unit of K-pop group NCT) are celebrating a decade together by releasing their sixth full-length album DREAM AFTER DREAM. The ten-track record is a festival of euphoric and joyous fast-paced songs that have revelry and commemoration in mind. Sonically, a dreamy tone acts as a red thread through the record, that speed along blissfully from track to track. The hyper-happy ‘Boogie Woogie’ skims along joyously before floating on to the mellow EDM ‘Skydive,’ eventually slowing down to a ballad with ‘Tumbler.’ The tracks are peppered with euphoric songs ‘The Sun’ and ‘Smile for U’ that show off the group’s vocal range, racing along to emotional crescendos. Dreamy harmonization sails alongside floaty synths in tracks such as ‘This is Your World’ that really show the vocal synergy and strength between the members.There’s definitely a lot of lightness and levity across all ten songs, which feels an apt celebration to their ten-year milestone. The celebration continues into 2027, as NCT DREAM have just been announced to perform at Coachella.

A decade is a long time and the group has been through a lot of collective, idiosyncratic experiences, so we sat down with RENJUN, JENO, HAECHAN, JAEMIN, CHENLE, and JISUNG  to talk about their time together in NCT DREAM, discussing how their group dynamics and their sound had changed, as well as the memories that  have stuck with them over the years. The group also shared an exclusive behind-the-scenes image from DREAM AFTER DREAM, as a little extra for us during their 10 year celebration. 

You have explored the many forms of dreams in your music. What form do dreams take in your new album? 

JENO: When we first debuted, I think we saw dreams more as goals we wanted to achieve. But over the past 10 years, we’ve made some of those dreams come true, and along the way, we’ve discovered new ones to chase. That’s really what we wanted to express through this album—the idea that dreams never really end. Everything we’ve accomplished so far isn’t the finish line. It’s a starting point for discovering new possibilities and continuing to dream bigger together as NCT DREAM.

What music genres have you explored for this new album? 

HAECHAN: We explored so many different genres and sounds on this album, so I think there’s a lot for listeners to enjoy! Our title track, ‘Boogie Woogie,’ is an upbeat dance track with a vintage disco-funk sound, but you’ll also hear everything from hip-hop and R&B to electronic influences throughout the album. There are even a few songs that might make you go, “Wait, NCT DREAM did something like this?” (Laughs) Each track has its own vibe, but I think once you bring all our voices together, it naturally becomes something that sounds like NCT DREAM, no matter the genre. I hope fans have fun discovering all those different sides of us!

Are there any genres you have experimented with over the ten years that you feel particularly connected to or enjoyed the most? 

RENJUN: I‘ve really enjoyed exploring all kinds of genres over the years, but I’ve always had a soft spot for pop and ballads with beautiful melodies that let me express emotions in a more delicate way. I especially love vocal-driven songs like ‘Sorry, Heart.’ What I love about these kinds of songs is being able to convey even the smallest shifts in emotion through my voice. It gives me a chance to show more of my own vocal style and express feelings in a way that’s personal to me.

Do you have a favorite track from the new album that you are most excited to perform? 

JAEMIN: Honestly, I love every single track on this album, so it’s really hard to pick just one! The members and I kept saying things like, “We HAVE to perform this one at our concert!” But then we realized we’d pretty much said that about every song on the album. So what are we supposed to do now? (Laughs) But if I really had to choose, I’d go with our title track, ‘Boogie Woogie!’ It has such a fun, funky energy, and I think there’s so much we can bring to life on stage. The choreography is a lot of fun too, and since the song is all about rhythm and groove, I think it’ll really bring out the chemistry between all six of us. I hope everyone watching will have just as much fun as we do performing it!

What were your dreams before you debuted? Have you achieved any of them? 

JISUNG: Ever since I was little, my biggest dream was simply to debut as a singer. And now, somehow, we’re already celebrating our 10th anniversary! I’ve had the chance to perform at incredible venues in cities all around the world, and recently, I’ve even taken on a new challenge by trying acting in a K-drama. If my younger self could see me now, I think he’d be pretty shocked! (Laughs) Looking back, I’ve been lucky enough to achieve so many things I never even imagined back then. I’m really grateful for that, and I’m excited to see what new dreams the future will bring.

What new achievements and dreams have you picked up along the way, as you have evolved in your careers? 

CHENLE: Rather than aiming for big changes in our music, I hope our songs can bring a little joy and happiness to people’s everyday lives. I want us to keep making great music that people can enjoy, even if it’s just for a moment. And of course, I hope all the members stay healthy and happy so we can continue delivering great music and performances together.

RENJUN: Being able to bring comfort and happiness to people through our music and performances is one of my greatest joys and achievements. And that’s exactly what I want to keep doing for years to come!

You are away from home a lot, what do you dream of from home when you’re away for so long? 

HAECHAN: I love getting to try good food and explore new places while we’re traveling for concerts, but after a long day of schedules, nothing beats relaxing at home. (Laughs)

Which member has changed the most over these ten years and why?

JENO: It’s hard to pick just one because we’ve all grown and changed so much over the past ten years. I think we all have a better sense of who we are as artists and what we want to bring to our music and performances. We’ve also gotten to know each other better along the way, and I think that’s made us stronger as a team.

Which member do you go to for comfort and advice? 

CHENLE: For me, it’s RENJUN. We’ve known each other for so long that we can be really honest with each other. He’s caring but also has strong opinions, so whenever I share something that’s bothering me, he listens and gives me his honest thoughts. That really helps me work through things.

You must be like family now having spent so much time together. Which members playfully argue/bicker the most or tease each other the most? 

RENJUN: I’d say CHENLE and JISUNG! They’re really close friends, so they’re always teasing each other. It’s honestly pretty funny to watch them go back and forth! (Laughs)

What is your fondest memory of another member that you can remember over the past ten years? 

JAEMIN: We’ve been together since we were really young, so at this point, the members honestly feel more like family to me. We’re always joking around and teasing each other, but I think all those little moments have brought us even closer over the years.

There are so many memories I treasure, but something really special happened recently while we were filming the ‘Boogie Woogie’ music video. We were on a set designed to look like a Korean snack shop, and JENO, HAECHAN, and I recreated a photo we’d taken about 10 years ago when we went out for tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) after practice. It suddenly brought back so many memories from when we were younger, and I remember thinking, “Wow, these guys have really been by my side all this time.”

It’s funny because when I think about my most precious memories with the members, they’re not necessarily the big, unforgettable events. Sometimes it’s just playing games together at our dorm or seeing the members enjoy something I’ve cooked for them. I think those simple, everyday moments are the ones that mean the most to me.

NCT DREAM sub-unit was formed when you were teenagers. What would you tell your teenage self today, if you could?

HAECHAN: I’d tell my teenage self not to be in such a rush. Back then, I always wanted to get better at everything as quickly as possible and show the best version of myself. But I’d tell him not to worry so much, to keep believing in himself, and to go after whatever he wants to try. And I’d definitely tell him to get excited, because there are so many amazing and fun experiences ahead of him, even more than he could imagine! (Laughs)

What memory in your career sticks out the most in your memory ver the past 10 years? 

JISUNG: Our first solo concert at Tokyo Dome in 2024, THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE, is definitely one of my most unforgettable memories. Tokyo Dome can hold around 50,000 people, so seeing the entire venue filled with our fans was honestly overwhelming in the best way. I’ll never forget that view or how I felt in that moment. I remember thinking, “Wow, there are so many people who love and support us. I’m really living an incredible life.” I just felt so grateful and happy to be there.

How did it feel to hear Pinkpantheress was such a big fan of yours? She actually mentioned to me that she was a huge fan of yours, on set for her Rolling Stone UK cover shoot in 2023! 

HAECHAN: We actually met her at our LA concert back in 2023! It was really cool to hear that she enjoys our music, and we were so grateful. As artists ourselves, it means a lot to know that another artist appreciates our music. If we get the chance to meet again, I’d love to talk more about each other’s music!

What’s your fondest memory with your fans? 

CHENLE: It’s honestly hard to pick just one because we’ve made so many amazing memories with our fans. One that stands out is our “THE DREAM SHOW 2” concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul. We weren’t even sure if we could fill such a huge stadium, so seeing it packed with Czennies was really emotional. But some of my most unforgettable memories are also from our world tours, meeting fans in so many different cities around the world. No matter the language or where we’re performing, hearing everyone sing along to our songs and cheer for us with so much energy is always incredible. Those moments when we get to share our music, feel the fans’ excitement, and give that energy right back are what make performing so special to me.

What are you looking most forward to next year? 

JAEMIN: Honestly, I’m just as excited to see what next year has in store for us! Even after 10 years together, there are still so many things we want to try and explore. We want to keep challenging ourselves and trying new things while staying true to what makes NCT DREAM who we are. We’ve got a lot of exciting things in the works, so stay tuned!