Cover of NCT #127
I. Introduction
NCT #127 is the debut extended play by the permanent NCT sub-unit, NCT 127. It was released on July 1, 2016 digitally and July 10, 2016 physically.
II. Background and Release
NCT is unique among K-Pop groups due to the fact that the concept of NCT is an ever expanding group with "unlimited" members and is comprised of several individual subunits. NCT's first sub-unit, the rotational NCT U, launched on April 4, 2016, while the second sub-unit, the fixed unit NCT 127 debuted on July 7, 2016.
Members of NCT 127 had been previously introduced to the public through the pre-debut group SM Rookies, as well as the NCT Life series. Four of the members were also part of the NCT U sub-unit. 127 refers to the longitude of Seoul, where the sub-unit is based.
NCT #127 is influenced heavily by the genres hip hop and EDM. SM founder Lee Soo-Man served as the executive producer. Taeyong, Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, and Haechan were the members of NCT 127 when this was released.
The lead single "Fire Truck" was described as a perfect summer tune under the Moombahton genre, with elements of hip hop and trap. "Once Again" is a retro pop track, while "Wake Up" and "Another World" display the EDM genre. "Mad City" is an urban hip hop track with participation from members Taeyong, Mark, and Jaehyun. They also had writing credits for "Fire Truck", and Taeyong and Mark for "Mad City." Finally, the last track "Switch" is a tropical house song. It was recorded in 2015 originally.
NCT 127 performed the title track "Fire Truck" and b-side "Once Again" on Korean music shows. The EP was also supported by another season of NCT Life, NCT Life in Paju, which began airing two weeks after the album's physical release with "Once Again" as its opening music.
III. Tracklist
|
Track |
Lyrics | Music | Arrangement |
Length |
|
1. "Fire Truck" |
Taeyong, Mark, Jaehyun, Lee Seu-ran | LDN Noise, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, Ylva Dimberg (The Kennel) | LDN Noise |
2:59 |
|
2. "Once Again" |
Jo Yoon Kyung, Taeyong, Mark | Chris Wahle, Andreas Oberg | Andreas Oberg |
3:10 |
|
3. "Wake Up" |
Kim In-hyung, Baek In-kyung, Cho Jin-joo | LDN Noise, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper | LDN Noise |
2:57 |
|
4. "Another World" |
Kim Min-ji, Lee Seul | Timothy "BOS" Bullock, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, Adrian McKinnon, Jamil "Digi" Chammas, Leven Kali, MZMC | Timothy "BOS" Bullock, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper |
3:32 |
|
5. "Paradise" |
Jeon Ji-eun (January 8th (lalala Studio)), Kim Jeong-mi (January 8th (lalala Studio)), Jung Joo-hee, Realmeee |
Perry van de Vrede (Henry Hill), Robert Nickson (Henry Hill), G. Bliz, Karl "KP" Powell (The Colleagues), Otha "Vakseen" Davis III | The Colleagues, G. Bliz |
3:27 |
|
6. "Mad City" |
Mark, Taeyong, Double Dragon | Donald "hAZEL" Sales, Double Dragon | Double Dragon |
3:19 |
|
7. "Switch" (ft. SR15B) |
Jung Joo-hee, Kang Eun-jung | Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, Trey Campbell, Rosina "Soaky" Siren Russell, LDN Noise | LDN Noise |
3:05 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Fire Truck MV
Switch MV
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Reception
The EP entered at #2 on the Korean Gaon Album Chart on July 16, 2016. In its third week, it topped the chart for one week, which was 127's first #1 on the chart. It was the third best selling issue of the Gaon Album Chart, selling 60,118 copies and the 32nd best selling album in 2016 with a total of 83,272 copies sold. It also had international success, peaking at #2 on the U.S. Billboard World Album chart and becoming their first entry on the French Digital Albums Chart and Japanese Oricon Albums Chart. Lead single "Fire Truck" reached #103 on the Gaon chart and #2 on the U.S. Billboard World Song chart.
