Winwin

I. Introduction

Dong Sicheng (Chinese: 董思成), known professionally as Winwin (Hangul: 윈윈), is a Chinese actor, rapper and dancer. He is one of the lead dancers, lead rappers and visuals in the NCT sub-unit, WayV. WayV sings primarily in Chinese, as well as songs in Korean and English, bridging a gap between c-pop and kpop. He is also a rapper and dancer in the rotational sub-unit NCT U. He is formerly a member of the sub-unit NCT 127. He's also an actor with a separate studio established under SM Entertainment for his acting activities.

II. Career

III. 2016-18: SM Rookies and NCT

Winwin was born on October 28, 1997 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. He trained extensively, went to the top dance schools and received awards for his traditional Chinese dance, but chose to come to Kpop. He was scouted on the street outside of his school in Beijing and cast in 2014. He was introduced as a member of the pre-debut SM Rookies group on January 5, 2016. He began appearing with other members of SM Rookies in live performances and variety shows.

On June 30, 2016, it was announced that NCT would debut its first permanent sub-unit, NCT 127. Winwin debuted with NCT 127 on the EP NCT #127 on July 10, 2016 as a rapper. NCT 127 has an edgier, hip hop-focused style with experimental textures and a heavy emphasis on dance.

Winwin appeared in the second season of NCT Life in Seoul in May-June 2016, featuring the members touring around Seoul and completing missions. Winwin and fellow new Chinese member Kun joined several of the other SM Rookies featured in Season 1, including Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung and Jaehyun.

NCT 127 released its first single "Fire Truck" on July 7, then its first self-titled EP on July 10, 2016. In 2017, the group added additional members, Johnny and Doyoung, ahead of the launch of the second EP Limitless in January 2017. His iconic flip in "Fire Truck" was a memorable portion of the choreography.

In July-August 2016, he appeared in the third season, NCT Life in Paju, with the other NCT 127 members planning and enjoying games and activities in Paju.

In October-November 2016, he appeared in the fourth season, NCT Life: Korean Food King Challenge, a cooking competition show featuring his fellow NCT 127 members, as well as non-NCT 127 member Ten.

IIII. 2017: Limitless and Cherry Bomb

NCT 127 released its second EP Limitless on January 4, 2017.

NCT 127 released its third EP Cherry Bomb on June 14, 2017. It made its first appearances in live shows in the U.S. throughout the summer.

In June-July 2017, he appeared in the seventh season, NCT Life in Osaka, featuring NCT 127 members Taeil, Taeyong and Doyoung touring Osaka with Yuta as a guide.

IIIII. 2018: Empathy and first album

Winwin participated with NCT during the NCT 2018 project on March 14, 2018, featuring all NCT members, and debuting three new ones. This project also included the first NCT full album, NCT 2018 Empathy. He appears as a rapper on NCT 127's "Touch" and a dancer in "Black on Black."

Winwin also appeared in another season of NCT Life: Hot & Young Seoul Trip - touring Seoul along with other foreign-born NCT members, including Johnny (USA), Yuta (Japan), Kun (China), Lucas (China) and Mark (Canada).

NCT 127 released its first Japanese EP Chain on May 23, 2018.

NCT 127 released its first full album Regular-Irregular on October 12, 2018, featuring a popular English version of its lead single, "Regular," that was utilized during the group's United States' based performances. The group also released a repackage Regulate on November 13, featuring the single "Simon Says."

SM announced plans to launch an NCT China unit on August 13, 2018. Winwin was moved to the new unit, beginning a hiatus from the group on November 22, 2018. The move was handled awkwardly, creating stress for members, who could not speak about it, and a frustrated and confused fandom. The formation of the group was finalized and announced on December 31, under a new China-exclusive label. Due to the political tensions between China and South Korea at the time, the group was not promoted as an NCT sub unit.

IIIV. 2019: WayV debut

Winwin debuted in the permanent Chinese sub unit WayV on January 17, 2019 with the EP The Vision. WayV's more fluid style of dance and sleeker, sexier style paired well with Winwin's former training in classical Chinese dance.

WayV released a second EP on May 9, 2019, Take Off, then released another EP on October 29, Take Over the Moon. WayV also appeared in its first reality series, WayV Dream Plan. As part of its social content, Label V launched a special project, Rainbow V, that allowed members to show off their talents in special projects. Winwin asked fellow member Ten to choreograph a dance for him.

IIV. 2020: First full album and NCT 2020

In March 2020, a repackage was released, Take Over the Moon the Sequel. WayV released its first full album Awaken the World on June 9, 2020, following its online live concert on Vlive. It also appeared on its own reality show, WayVision. Winwin also launched his own web series on WayV's YouTube channel, WINformation.

WayV also participated in the NCT 2020 project in October 2020, featuring all NCT members, and debuting two new ones. This project also included a 2-part NCT full album, NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 and NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2. He appears as a singer on WayV's song "Nectar," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 2 songs: "90s Love" and "Volcano." He also appears in the combination single "Resonance," which combines multiple songs. The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show.

As part of Resonance, WayV performed in its own section of NCT's year-end awards show performances with "Turn Back Time," as well as in an online NCT Vlive concert.

IIVI. 2021: Kick Back, solo opportunities and acting

WayV released its third EP, Kick Back, on March 11, 2021, while simultaneously airing the second season of its reality show WayVision 2: Winter Sports Channel. Winwin and group mate Lucas were absent from the majority of the album's Korean promotions, due to TV work, sponsorship and modeling opportunities in China including Pantene, Skechers and Louis Vuitton.

In June, WayV released its first OST song, "Everytime", for the Running to You Soundtrack. On September 30, SM announced that Winwin would have his own studio, dedicated to his solo acting activities, similar to the business arrangement with EXO's Lay Zhang. It was announced on October 25 that Winwin would make his acting debut in the Chinese fantasy drama, The Shadow.

Winwin did not participate in the all-unit project, NCT 2021 Universe, due to the conflict with his acting schedule. This included not appearing in WayV's song for the album. He did appear in the NCT 2021 Year Dream series around the group's lore. He also did not participate with NCT in the 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express album or New Year's Day concert.

IIVII. 2022: More acting and TV work

After completing filming on his drama, he began work on the reality variety show Star Chaser 2 in spring 2022 and commented in interviews that he would participate with WayV promotions later in the year. In May, he was announced as a co-host on the TV show, The Flavour Rings A Bell. In June, he began filming another drama, 25 Hours of Love (Sweet Games.) After completing filming, Winwin returned to Korea in September to begin preparing with WayV for their next album, as well as a series of concert appearances.

WayV released its fourth mini, Phantom, on Dec. 28, 2022. The album became the group's highest first week sales of their career and then embarked on a multi-country fan meeting tour. Winwin missed portions of the tour due to competing schedules, but continued to promote it in his other work.

IIVIII. 2023: Friend of the House for Valentino, more acting and CF

He attended the Valentino show in March 2023 as a high-profile guest at Paris Fashion Week, having participated in a number of promotional photo shoots with the brand, where the brand officially announced him as a "friend of the house."

Winwin appeared with the other members of WayV on the fourth NCT album, Golden Age, as well as in the all-unit NCT Nation concerts in Korea and Japan. This was his first appearance in all unit work since 2020. He featured on the NCT U songs "Alley Oop" and "Interlude: Oasis."

III. Videography

IV. Photos

NCT 2020

NCT 2023 Golden Age

V. Trivia

- His official NCT emoji is🐥 (chick.)

- Winwin is a native Mandarin speaker who is somewhat fluent in Korean and knows some limited English.

- He plays the piano and the guitar.

- He is the most flexible member of NCT.

- SM scouted him for 2 years.

- He was cast on the streets leaving Beijing's Dance Academy.

- Winwin is incredibly popular and well liked across all the units. He is sweet, goofy, friendly and especially chatty in his native Mandarin with the WayV unit.

- His fans are called Yunqis, which is a play on his name in Chinese.

- Winwin is featured in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Pantene, Skechers, Charlotte Tilbury, Longines, Jimmy Choo and Valentino.

- SM announced the formation of his own studio devoted to his solo acting activities, similar to EXO's Lay Zhang.

- Winwin requested the other members dress up for his birthday as part of his web series WINformation. He is Cinderella in WayV's Princess performance of their song "Bad Alive".

- SM released a video using the audio from NCT's MAMA performance that captures the journey of the members through their career.

- NCT members participated in a NCT 24 Hour Relay Cam that gives a snapshot of their daily lives.