NCT U - coNEXTion (Age of Light) (SM Station: NCT Lab)

I. Introduction

"coNEXTion (Age of Light)" is a digital single from NCT U, a rotational sub-unit of the boy group NCT . It is the second single of SM Station NCT Lab and was released on March 20, 2022.

II. Background

SM announced a new project under SM Station to focus around the boy group NCT on January 30, 2022. 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 sub-units. There are currently four sub-units: NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV and NCT U.

NCT Lab will include solo songs, self-composed tracks and sub-unit work outside of the group's albums. This song is the second song of the season and features the NCT U sub-unit. The NCT U sub-unit is a special promotional unit within the NCT boy group that is made up of rotational members. Members are chosen to perform based on the song and concept. Doyoung, a main vocalist in NCT 127, and Haechan, a lead vocalist in 127 and main vocalist in Dream, partner with one of NCT 127's main rappers, Mark.

The song was created in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency as the theme song for a large scale content experience space at Gwanghwamun called "Kwang Hwa Generation (光化時代, Age of Light)."

Mark co-wrote the lyrics. The song was described as a alternative hip hop song that "maximizes the meaning of connection between the past and the present with sounds of synthesizer and traditional instruments, such as gayageum, janggu, taepyeongso and jing" The title is "a combination of 'co-NEXT,' which refers to moving together and 'connect,' which means that all time is connected."

The performance video features another NCT member, Shotaro, performing with 20 other dancers to represent the song's theme of "light and connection."

III. Tracklist

IV. Spotify

V. Videos

MV:

Teaser: