The Link: Log

I. Introduction

The Link: Log is a YouTube behind the scenes series that follows the members of NCT 127, a NCT sub-unit, during preparations and performances on their 2021-2023 Neo City: The Link world tour.

II. Background

NCT is unique among K-Pop groups due to the fact that the original concept of NCT is an ever expanding group with "unlimited" members and is comprised of several individual subunits, including NCT 127.

NCT 127 was originally scheduled to launch its second world tour, Neo City: The Award Show, in 2020; however, that tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying shutdowns. As pandemic-related protocols eased, NCT 127 began to plan a new tour in support of its third album, Sticker. NCT 127 began planning its first live concert in nearly 2 years, beginning with performances in Seoul, where they had not played since 2019.

COVID restrictions continued to impact the tour with early tour dates like the first ones in Seoul requiring small audiences, as well as requirements that audiences not shout or yell. This also impacted early tour stops during NCT 127's sold-out Japanese dome stops. Beginning with the group's Singapore shows, audiences were allowed again to yell and scream. The pandemic also continued to impact the tour with members missing from a few stops due to COVID and mandatory quarantines.

The Neo City: The Link tour presented a combination of setlists that varied by location, and beginning with the American tour stops in October 22, the inclusion of songs from the group's fourth album, 2 Baddies. The tours also included songs that had never been performed live, from the highly successful albums released during the pandemic, including Neo Zone and Sticker. The show also featured solo performances from the members, including new solo songs.

The tour was directed, like their first tour, by noted choreographer and tour director Rino Nakasone, who appears often in The Link: Log episodes to provide direction and encouragement. Choreographers that work with the group also appear in the series, including former NCT choreographer and now artistic director PREPIX Ill Lee and the NCT choreographer at the time, Sea Ni. The series also has appearances from celebrities and influencers as it follows the members at each tour stop. Family members like Johnny's mom, who previously appeared in episodes of his vlog Johnny's Communication Center, also appear in the show.

Episodes of the series follows members through rehearsals, performances and promotions at each tour stop. There are also episodes dedicated to preparations before the tour started and for their special Link+ shows at Seoul's Olympic Stadium. All 9 members appear in the series: Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark and Haechan. Haechan does not appear in the second set of Americas stops in 2023 due to a medical hiatus just before the stops.

III. Concert Dates

IV. Episode List

Most episodes are 17 to 30 minutes long and on the NCT 127 YouTube channel.