WayV

I. Introduction

WayV, (Chinese: 威神V; pinyin: WēiShén V), is a Chinese boy band and permanent sub-unit of NCT. 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. The WayV sub-unit currently consists of six members (Kun, Ten, Winwin, Xiaojun, Hendery and YangYang) and sings primarily in Chinese (Mandarin), as well as songs in Korean and English, bridging a gap between c-pop and kpop.

II. Members

	Kun (Hangul: 쿤) Birth name: Qian Kun (钱锟) Position: Leader, Main Vocalist Birthday: January 1, 1996, Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Nationality: Chinese Instagram: @kun11xd SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kunxd Weibo: https://weibo.com/WayVKUN NCT Emoji: bear face 🐻
	Ten (Hangul: 텐) Birth name: Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Thai: ชิตพล ลี้ชัยพรกุล) Position: Main Dancer, Main Vocalist, Sub Rapper Birthday: February 27, 1996, Zodiac Sign: Pisces Nationality: Thai Instagram: @tenlee_1001 Weibo: https://weibo.com/WayVTEN NCT Emoji: cat face 🐱
	Winwin (Hangul: 윈윈) Birth name: Dong Sicheng (Chinese: 董思成) Position: Lead Dancer, Sub Vocalist, Sub Rapper, Visual Birthday: October 28, 1997, Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Nationality: Chinese Instagram: @wwiinn_7 Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/WayVWINWIN NCT Emoji: chick 🐥
	Xiaojun (Hangul: 샤오쥔) Birth name: Xiao Dejun (肖德俊) Position: Main Vocalist Birthday: August 8, 1999, Zodiac Sign: Leo Nationality: Chinese Instagram: @djxiao_888 Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/WayVXIAOJUN NCT Emoji: dinosaur 🦕
	Hendery (Hangul: 헨드리) Birth name: Wong Kunhang (黄冠亨) Position: Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer, Sub Vocalist Visual Birthday: September 28, 1999 Zodiac Sign: Libra, Nationality: Chinese Instagram: @i_m_hendery Weibo: https://weibo.com/WayVHENDERY NCT Emoji: unicorn 🦄
	YangYang (Hangul: 양양) Birth name: Liu YangYang (Chinese: 刘扬扬) Position: Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Maknae Birthday: October 10, 2000, Zodiac Sign: Libra Nationality: Chinese Instagram: @yangyang_x2 Weibo: https://weibo.com/WayVYANGYANG NCT Emoji: sheep 🐑

Former member - 2019-2023

Lucas (Hangul: 루카스) Birth name: Wong Yukhei (黄旭熙) Position: Lead Rapper, Center, Visual, Face Nationality: Chinese NCT Emoji: lion face 🦁

III. Career

IIII. Formation

SM announced plans to launch a new NCT China sub-unit, reflective of the NCT concepts of units based in different global locations, on August 13, 2018. SM announced in late November that Winwin, a member of an existing sub-unit NCT 127, would be pulled from NCT 127 promotions to prepare for this new group's release. The formation of the group was finalized and announced on December 31, under a new China-exclusive label, Label V. The group included four pre-existing NCT members - Kun, Winwin, Ten and Lucas, as well as three members who had been recently introduced through SM Rookies, SM's pre-debut training group, earlier that year (Xiaojun, Hendery and YangYang). Due to the political tensions between China and South Korea at the time, the group was not initially promoted as an NCT sub unit.

IIIII. Debut

WayV debuted on January 17, 2019 with its first digital EP The Vision, including Chinese versions of two previously released NCT 127 songs. One of those songs, "Regular" became the lead single, reaching #9 on Chinese QQ charts and #3 on Billboard World charts in the U.S. The second single "Dream Launch" reached #15 and #6. The group debuted at #4 on Billboard Social 50.

IIIIII. Mini Albums

WayV released a second EP on May 9, 2019, its first mini-album Take Off. Take Off included 3 rereleases of 3 songs from The Vision and 3 new songs. The EP debuted at #7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, as well as claiming #1 on iTunes charts in 30 regions. The single "Take Off" reached #1 on the QQ Music Popularity Chart and debuted at #2 on the weekly chart. It debuted at #25 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales. WayV also made a #4 debut on the Social 50 Chart.

WayV appeared in its own 12-episode variety show, WayV Dream Plan, between the two EPs, as well as appearances on Chinese shows and web shows on WayV's YouTube channel.

WayV released its second mini-album on October 29, 2019: Take Over the Moon. The EP contains six songs. On March 20, 2020, a special version of the album was released, Take Over the Moon - Sequel, a repackage with two additional songs, the English version of "Love Talk" and a narration track "WayV.oice #1." The repackage was only available in physical form.

Take Over the Moon debuted at #1 in 16 regions on the iTunes chart, then reached #5 on the Gaon charts, #12 on the US Billboard World Album Charts and made WayV's debut on the Billboard Heatseekers Album Charts at #24. It also charted at #76 and #88 in the UK and France Digital Album Charts. Take Over the Moon the Sequel reached #3 on the Gaon charts.

IIIIV. First Full Album

WayV released its first full album Awaken the World on June 9, 2020, following its online live concert on Vlive. WayV earned its first top-three entry on Tencent Music's UNI chart and the Gaon Album Chart, including being #3 in in the monthly chart. The album also reached #9 on Billboard Japan Hot Albums and Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. It also entered the U.S. Billboard World Albums Chart at #12. It also reached #1 on iTunes in 21 countries.

Face to Face from WayV's Vlive Concert

The lead single "Turn Back Time" was certified Gold on QQ Music Popularity Chart, as well as the first top three entry into the UNI Chart. It also ranked #12 on U.S. Billboard World Digital Songs. WayV later released an English version of "Bad Alive" that ranked #1 on QQ Music's Digital Sales chart, earning Gold certification hours after it was released and ranking #6 on the weekly chart.

In September, it began airing episodes of its second reality-variety show WayVision. Additionally, members appeared on Chinese and Korean TV and web shows.

IIIV. NCT 2020

WayV was formally re-introduced as part of the larger NCT group through the 2020 Resonance project, which included all 23 NCT members. The two-part album NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 and NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2. featured songs from all four NCT sub-units, including the rotating combination sub-unit NCT U and the three permanent sub-units, NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV. WayV had one song, "Nectar" featured on the albums, and WayV members participated within the NCT sub-units for the lead singles "Make A Wish," "Work It," "From Home" and "90s Love." Additionally, all WayV members featured on other songs and in promotional appearances connected to the event, including concerts, year-end award show performances and a variety competition show, NCT World 2.0. Although it was not released as a promotional single, "Nectar" debuted at #12 on the UNI Chart.

IIIVI. 2021: Kick Back, sub-units and NCT 2021

WayV released its third mini album on March 10, 2021. This was the first major NCT sub-unit release following the Resonance event. One of the other sub-units, NCT 127, had a Japanese release, Loveholic, through Avex in January 2021.

Kick Back was WayV's most successful album to date, boosted in attention by the NCT 2020 Resonance project. It debuted on both Japanese album charts (Oricon and Billboard) at #35, reaching #13 on the Oricon chart. It became WayV's first #1 album on the Korean Gaon Album chart for the week of its release, then finished the month in 6th place with 226,535 copies sold. This was more than twice the amount from their last release, Awaken the World, in June 2020, prior to the Resonance project. As of July 2021, it was both their highest charting and top selling album on Gaon and Hanteo in Korea. It also debuted at #1 on Worldwide Itunes Album Charts, as well as #1 in 20 countries and #2 in the United States.

The lead single "Kick Back" reached #1 on QQ Music Mainland MV chart, as well as debuting at #7 on Tencent Music's UNI Chart. WayV promoted both the Chinese and Korean versions of the songs on different Korean music shows. It became WayV's first #1 on Melon World Music Charts.

At the beginning of promotional activities, it was announced that Winwin and Lucas would return to China for other activities, including TV show appearances on Running Man, although the group would continue to promote temporarily on Korean music shows and interview shows as a quintet.

WayVision returned to support the new EP, with a second season around winter sports: WayVision 2: Winter Sports Channel.

On June 11, 2021, a new sub-unit was announced featuring two of WayV's main vocalists across WayV's social channels and Weibo. WayV Kun & Xiaojun was the first sub-unit within any of the existing NCT sub-units. The pair hosted a Vlive the following day to talk about the upcoming release, as well as releasing a mini album, Back To You, on June 16 across all major platforms, featuring songs in English and Chinese. The album debuted at #1 on the iTunes chart in 5 countries, as well as charting at #22 on worldwide songs. It also debuted at #16 on the U.S. Billboard World Songs chart. The duo performed the English version of the song across Korean music shows and released an English version of the MV. In July, they released the other single on the album "Sleepless" as a thank you to fans.

During the SM Congress in July, SM announced WayV would have a second full album during 2021, including promotions in China. However, this was postponed.

In July, WayV released its first OST song, "Everytime", for the Running to You Soundtrack.

On August 12, the second sub-unit was announced, WayV Ten & YangYang, who released a single "Low Low" on August 17. The song charted in six countries on iTunes, including the U.S.

On August 20, a third sub-unit was announced, WayV Lucas & Hendery, who would release a digital single "Jalapeño" on August 25. The single and its promotions were postponed as Lucas took a hiatus from the group.

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, while continuing to be a part of WayV.

WayV participated in the NCT 2021 project in December 2021, featuring all active NCT members at the time. This project also included a NCT full album, NCT 2021 Universe. Like previous all-unit albums, each fixed unit has its own song on the album. However, WayV appeared and recorded as a quintet for its English-langugage song "Miracle," without Winwin (due to acting schedule conflicts) and Lucas (on hiatus). However, Winwin reported in media interviews that he would reappear with WayV in 2022 while Lucas remains on hiatus. The group became the first Chinese group to debut a song on the Melon Top 100 with the song. The five active members also participated on the all-member song "Beautiful on the album.

IIIVII. 2022-3: Hiatus and Return

Due to competing schedules, Ten and Winwin did not appear with WayV and the group continued to work on different solo endeavors. The group finally returned together in a full concert performance as part of SMTOWN in August 2022. This was the group's first performance since Kick Back promotions in March 2021 and the first live performances since 2020. The group performed as five members at SMTOWN, and again at the Indonesian TV Awards. Members announced an impending comeback and album, including songs written and produced by Kun.

The group began promotions as 6 members, with the return of Winwin from his acting work in China.

On November 23, 2022, SM announced WayV's return with its fourth mini, Phantom, for release on December 9. The album's release was delayed due to a period of national mourning in China. The album featured a "Phantom of the Opera" concept. One of the album's cover versions is the first to feature the group's members, although it retains their continued theme of the V-shape in their logo. The album featured all six active members.

The album was released on Dec. 28, topping the Circle, Hanteo, and iTunes charts, and setting a new record for the group's first week sales. It included the previously released sub-unit songs as bonuses and included three track videos of the b-sides. WayV performed an English version of the song on Korean music show promotions. The tt also topped the Chinese QQ chart.

The group also embarked on a multi-country fanmeet tour, their first since before the pandemic in 2019. This included extensive promotional work in Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Ten's native Thailand.

On March 12, 2023, they released their first charity single in co-operation with Chinese Children's Charity Association Dandelion Future.

WayV also added Japanese fanmeet dates and released their first Japanese single, "Welcome to My Paradise." Kun was injured and did not appear in some dates of this tour.

On May 10, 2023, SM officially announced Lucas' departure from WayV and NCT after a nearly 2-year hiatus from group activities.

In August, WayV made its U.S. debut at KCON, although Kun could not attend.

In August-September, WayV participated in the NCT Nation concerts, a series of concerts that featured all the NCT units in a 5-hour concert with over 40 songs. Members appeared in the rotational NCT U units during the show, as well as with the entire group in stages and with their own songs as WayV.

WayV announced they were recording a new album, which was scheduled for release before the end of the year.

IV. Sub Units

V. Trailers

VI. Discography

Albums and EPs

Artwork	Title	Format	Release Date	Gaon/ Circle Chart	Jpn. Oricon Chart	US World Chart	Other Charts, Certs
	The Vision	Digital EP	January 17, 2019	-	-	-	-
	Take Off	EP	May 9, 2019	-	-	7	FRA #76
	Take Over the Moon	EP	October 29, 2019	5	-	12	CHN Tencent UNI: #3 FRA #88 US Heatseekers 24
	Take Over the Moon: The Sequel	EP	March 13, 2020	3	-	-	-
	Awaken the World	Album	June 9, 2020	3	19	9	UK #55, HUN #22
	Kick Back	EP	March 10, 2021	1	13	-	FIN: #8, HUN: 39 KMCA: Platinum
	Phantom	EP	December 28, 2022	5	4	-	-

Sub-Unit - WayV Kun & Xiaojun

Artwork	Title	Sub-Unit	Type	Release Date
	Back To You	Kun & Xiaojun	Digital Single Album	June 16, 2021

Sub-Unit: WayV Ten & Xiaojun

Artwork	Title	Sub-Unit	Type	Release Date
	"Low Low"	Ten & YangYang	Digital Single	August 17, 2021

All Unit - NCT

Artwork	Title	Format	Release Date	Gaon Chart	Jpn Oricon Chart	US World Chart	Other Charts & Certs
	NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1	Album	October 12, 2020	1	2	1	US 200: #6 US Heat: 5 UK: #36 CAN: #95 KOR: Million
	NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2	Repackage album	November 23, 2020	1	3	-	NLD: #35 KOR: Million
	NCT 2021 Universe	Album	December 14, 2021	1	1	1	US: #20 Billboard 200 FIN: #45 UWC: #1

VII.

VIII. Singles

VII. Videography

VIII. Concept Photos

Awards

IX. Trivia

- The lightstick is nicknamed the "leekbong," because it looks like a green onion.

- WayV's fandom are called WayZenNis or Weishennies.

- WayV's members are called Weishens or Visions by their fans.

- WayV share two cats named Leon and Louis and a dog named Bella, who often appear in their social media content and Vlives.

- WayV's pets feature in a special merchandise line created around them in June 2021 as "Our Home: WayV with Little Friends."

- WayV's members share a rambunctious sense of fun and creativity, including a YouTube series, Rainbow V, where they created choreography and produced songs.

- WayV's sense of humor is displayed in many of their YT videos, including a Princess-themed dance for a member's birthday and a spoof of a sitcom family for Lunar New Year.

- In WayV's Princess-themed dance for the WINformation web series, the princesses include: Snow White (Kun), Alice (Ten), Cinderella (Winwin), Elsa (Lucas), Jasmine (Xiaojun), Rapunzel (Hendery) and Ariel (Yangyang)

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

- WayV became the first NCT sub-unit to have its own sub-unit with the June 2021 announcement of WayV Kun & Xiaojun. There are now three WayV sub-units.

- In December 2021, WayV became the first Chinese group to chart in the Melon Top 100 with their song "Miracle" from the NCT all-unit album.

- In July 2022, WayV's "Love Talk" hit 100 million streams on Spotify, becoming the third sub-unit to reach this.

- WayV is the most streamed Chinese group on Spotify.