Photo = SM ENTERTAINMENT

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] NCT 127’s JOHNNY introduced the new album in one word: “our original mindset.”

 

NCT 127 held a press conference for the release of its 7th full-length album ‘BLINGY’ at SKY31 Convention on the 24th. On this day, JOHNNY said, “While preparing the song ‘BLINGY,’ we prepared even harder than we have for any performance we have done so far.”

 

When asked to describe the album in one word, JOHNNY said, “I think it would be our original mindset,” adding, “It is the hardest ever, so even now, we have not been able to dance it from beginning to end that many times.” He added, “I think it is a performance that shows a lot of the intensity we have not been able to show much lately.”

 

JAEHYUN introduced the album by saying, “It is our 7th album, coming out in our 10th anniversary year, and it is about setting out to find something blingy, or sparkling, but realizing that those things are all inside us,” adding, “There are songs that two members participated in together, but it is a good album fully filled by the five of us, so please give it lots of interest.”

 

The title track ‘BLINGY’ is the song that feels most like NCT 127. YUTA said, “It is a song filled with powerful energy, and because we recorded the chorus by building it up with everyone singing together, it became an even more impactful song,” adding, “The lyrics also carry the meaning that we will shine like fireworks.” He added, “The dance is also the most intense ever, and it was a song we practiced while thinking that it was fun but also no joke.”

 

The process of choosing the title track was also fierce. HAECHAN said, “Including ‘BLINGY,’ ‘Piñata’ and ‘Legacy’ were also candidates for the title track, but we all agreed that ‘BLINGY’ was the song the five current members could pull off best and that would create the best synergy when we show both the music and the performance together.” He added, “Even when thinking about the stages we will show going forward, it is the song that can best show our energy.”

 

TAEYONG, who participated in creating the choreography, said, “Because the beat of the song itself is very strong, we tried to keep the performance powerful while also bringing out a relaxed feeling in between,” adding, “There is a signature hand movement using a bling-bling, sparkling hand gesture, and the point of the choreography is flipping the hand to the opposite side.” JOHNNY added, drawing laughter, “While filming the music video, I heard opinions from many people, and some said it looked like taekwondo.”

 

They also explained the content of the music video. JOHNNY said, “We thought a lot about how to express ‘blingy,’ and while we kept searching for blingy, we realized that the real blingy was inside us,” adding, “Since it captures the process of finding blingy, I hope fans enjoy watching it.”

 

Regarding behind-the-scenes moments from filming, JAEHYUN said, “We used a unique filming technique, and to film shots that pass quickly at high speed, we moved a long distance while holding the same pose,” adding, “I remember HAECHAN walking for three full minutes in a bent-over position for the scene where he bends down to write in a notebook.” HAECHAN shared, “Out of the three days of music video filming, we filmed outdoors for about two days, and because I kept walking in a squat position, I worked so hard that my whole body was drenched in sweat.”

 

NCT 127, which debuted in July 2016, is a group that has led the K-POP scene with its unique musical world and powerful performances. The group won Bonsang awards at the Hanteo Music Awards in 2022 and 2023, and proved its strength by achieving million-seller status several times, surpassing 1.54 million copies in initial chodong sales with its 4th full-length album ‘2 Baddies’ in 2022 and recording 1.64 million copies with its 5th full-length album ‘Fact Check’ in 2023.

The 7th full-length album ‘BLINGY’ is an album that looks back on the journey the group has shared as it marks its 10th debut anniversary, while also capturing its pride in the team and determination to carve out its own path based on solidarity. It contains a total of nine songs, including the title track ‘BLINGY,’ as well as ‘Legacy,’ ‘Piñata,’ ‘Step Up,’ ‘IKR,’ ‘Getaway,’ ‘Day After Day,’ ‘127 Million Miles,’ and ‘I mean, It’s about time.’

 

NCT 127’s 7th full-length album ‘BLINGY’ will be released at 6 PM on this day. Attention is focused on what records NCT 127, opening a new chapter of its 10th debut anniversary, will write with this album.

 

grace@hanteo.com