I. Introduction
Candy is the first winter mini album from the NCT sub-unit, NCT Dream. It was released digitally on Dec. 16, 2022 and physically on Dec. 19, and features six songs including the title track "Candy."
II. Background & Release
SM Entertainment first teased a winter album for NCT Dream as part of its all-unit show, The NCT Show. The group had previously released two years of holiday singles in 2017 and 2018, becoming the only NCT unit to release holiday/winter songs. Following the group's multi-million selling second album and repackage, series of shows at Seoul's Olympic Stadium and documentary movie, SM announced the group's special winter album on November 18. This would make NCT Dream the first NCT unit to have its own winter album.
The promotional period reflected a return to NCT Dream's youthful and colorful style. The title track, a remake of the 1996 song from the boy group H.O.T., featured prominently during the month-long promotion period, including multiple TikTok challenges and the group's endorsement deal with KB Bank.
The album featured three versions featuring the different members: a photobook version, special version and digipack version.
The remake was rearranged by legendary SM producer Kenzie for a modern feel. Frequent NCT collaborators also appear on this album, including Junny, minGtion, Adrian McKinnon and Zayson. Members of NCT Dream contribute lyrics to several songs.
The group debuted the song on the Christmas-oriented KBS Song Festival on Dec. 16. They also performed the songs as part of a live fan meeting after release, hosted by Kangta of H.O.T. The group performed the song with the b-side "Graduation" in music show promotions.
III. Tracklist
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Candy" | Jang Yong Jin | Jang Yong Jin | Kenzie | 3:37 |
| "Graduation" | Kenzie | Kenzie, Benjamin 55, Junny, Zayson | Kenzie, Benjamin 55 | 3:57 |
| "Tangerine Love (Favorite)" | Choi Seo Yool | Choi Seo Yool, JBACH, Landon Sears, David Wilson, Pat Lok, MZMC | dwily, Pat Lok, MZMC | 2:58 |
| "Take My Breath" | Hwang Yoo Bin, Mark | Willie Weeks, Justin Starling, Ryan Curtis | Willie Weeks | 3:00 |
| "Moon" | minGtion, Dvwn | minGtion, Dvwn | minGtion | 4:13 |
| "Walk With You" | Kim Chae Ah | Adrian McKinnon, TAK, 1TAKE | TAK | 3:35 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
MV - Candy:
MV - Graduation:
Concept Photos
VI. Reception
The album debuted with over 2 million preorders. It broke the record NCT Dream had previously set with Glitch Mode as the fastest SM album to hit 1 million in sales on Hanteo and making the group the only artist to release three million-selling albums in 2022. The total also made it the eighth highest first week sales in Hanteo history.
The album and song both debuted at the top of the Circle chart, with all of the album's charting. The song also had a notable accomplishment on the Korean Melon streaming charts, becoming the first SM artist to enter the top 5 since 2017. The album also hit #1 on iTunes album charts in 16 regions, as well as reaching #1 on China's QQ Music charts and earning a platinum certification.
