I. Introduction
Perfume is the debut mini of the NCT sub-unit, NCT DoJaeJung. It was released on April 17, 2023, featuring the lead track "Perfume."
II. Background & Release
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. NCT DoJaeJung was launched in 2023 as the first fixed member unit - a sub-sub-unit, combining a trio of popular members from the NCT 127 sub-unit.
DoJaeJung was first unofficially introduced during NCT 127's Neo City the Link concert tour during a pair of special shows at Jamsil Stadium in October 22. In those performances, members split into mini units to perform songs, including a unit featuring main vocalist Doyoung, main vocalist and lead dancer Jaehyun and lead vocalist and lead dancer Jungwoo. The unit performed an unreleased song "Can We Go Back?" that attracted attention and buzz.
The trio then appeared in special Christmas-related social content, including a holiday medley video, creating rumors of a potential group. The trio appeared to perform "Can We Go Back?" on the New Year's Gayo on MBC.
In March 2023, the group was officially announced and promotions began on March 27. The album's promotions incorporated the title concept with custom fragrances created by the members in content and album packaging, as well as pop-up stores and events. Three music films were released as part of the content, based on Robert Sternberg's triangular theory of love.
The album was released in two versions: a standard photobook version and a special edition box, as well as digipack and SMINI versions.
The album features six tracks, including "Can We Go Back?" The musical style is vocally driven R&B and features frequent SM and NCT collaborators, including minGtion, MZMC and LDN Noise.
In addition to the title track, performance videos were released for "Kiss" and "Ordinary". "Kiss" was also performed on Korean music shows with the title track.
III. Tracklist
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Perfume" | Kim Su-min (153/Joombas) | Brandon Arreaga, Colin Magalong, Landon Sears, Kaelyn Behr, MZMC | Styalz Fuego, MZMC | 2:47 |
| "Kiss" | Park Lang (Verygoods) | Sevn Dayz, Jeffrey the Kidd, Greg Bonnick, Hayden Chapman, Young Chance, Jay Jay | Jay Jay, LDN Noise | 3:00 |
| "Dive" | Ji Yu-ri (Jam Factory) | Greg Bonnick, Hayden Chapman, Lauren Faith | LDN Noise | 3:56 |
| "Strawberry Sunday" | Jo Yoon-kyung | JBach, Mishon Ratliff, David Wilson, MZMC | Dwily, MZMC | 2:58 |
| "Can We Go Back?" | Kang Eun-jeong | Adam Korbesmeyer, Jerry Lang II, Lena Leon, Jacqueline Young, Ori Dulitzki | Adam Korbesmeyer, Jerry Lang II, | 3:23 |
| "Ordinary" | minGtion | minGtion | minGtion | 3:18 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Perfume MV
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Performance
The album debuted as the highest first week sales for a sub-unit in Hanteo history at the time. It debuted at #2 with the SMINI version debuting at #7. It also reached topped the iTunes charts in 18 regions. It also debuted at #17 on the Japanese Oricon chart.
The title track "Perfume" debuted at #4 on the Circle Chart, making NCT DoJaeJung the only NCT unit to debut in the top 10 of the Circle Chart on their debut release. All six songs charted.
