Group NCT Wish members Ryo, Riku, Yushi, Shion, Sakuya, Jaehee (from left), Photo courtesy of|SM Entertainment.
“When I first heard the demo version of the title track, the KBS2 ‘Gag Concert’ BGM immediately came to mind. Because it has a catchy sound that many might recognize, I thought many would imitate it. And the song was really good. Ah, I felt that NCT Wish could become famous, you know?”(Jaehee)
The group NCT Wish (Ryo, Riku, Yushi, Shion, Sakuya, Jaehee) has grown another notch. Their global recognition is rising by the day, and they have made their first entry into the Olympic Park KSPO Dome, a stage not just anyone can stand on, even holding a solo concert. On top of that, they have also welcomed the double good news of releasing their first full-length album since debut. Just as they wish, only becoming more famous remains for NCT Wish now.
Group NCT Wish members Ryo, Riku, Yushi, Shion, Sakuya, Jaehee (from left), Photo courtesy of|SM Entertainment.
At the ‘NCT Wish Seoul Encore Performance and First Full Album Release Commemorative Press Conference’ held on the 19th at Olympic Park KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul, the six members Ryo, Riku, Yushi, Shion, Sakuya, and Jaehee gathered to share their feelings about staging the final show of their encore world tour and releasing their first full-length album.
Over three days from the 17th to the 19th, NCT Wish held ‘NCT Wish 1st Concert Tour [Into the Wish: Our Wish] Encore in Seoul’ at Seoul Olympic Park KSPO Dome. As it was their first time entering the KSPO Dome, the members felt it especially keenly.
Sakuya said, “I am happy to be able to perform in such a large venue. Since last October we have performed more than about 30 times, and since we have done well so far, we will also do our best today to deliver a fun time,” expressing his resolve, and Ryo also greeted fans by saying, “It is truly amazing to be holding a solo concert in such a big venue just two years after debut. It is all thanks to Sijeuni (the fandom name). Thank you.”
In particular, anticipation rose even higher because this concert also marked the first stage performance of the title track of their soon-to-be-released first full album, ‘Ode to Love’ (Ode to Love), which shares the same name. Shion recalled, “Because we prepared the stage so hard, I was really curious about the reaction of Sijeuni. So I was extremely nervous when we first performed it, but after the stage ended, Sijeuni applauded and cheered, and I felt proud. I also felt relieved.” He went on to say that he personally contributed ideas to the choreography for the chorus of the title track: “Since the chorus is addictive, I thought the choreography was also the most important. I understand that we commissioned choreographers in several places, and the agency also asked us for ideas, so whenever we had time, we studied a lot. So when practice began, we filmed various moves together with the dancers, dividing them into 4-5 sets, and sent them to the company, and as I understand it, the company gave the final confirmation,” he said modestly.
They also expressed satisfaction with the new release. Jaehee said, “Because it is our first full-length album, the number of tracks has increased, and we put care into each and every song. So it is an album that I feel even more attached to,” adding, “It carries a message of conveying the unique warmth of NCT Wish in a cold world, so it resonates deeply with me as well. It is a warm song, so I hope many people will listen to it.”
Shion also added, “Because it is an album we have been preparing since the tour last year, we had many opportunities in between to gather and talk,” and, “Among the members, we often said that we hoped this title track would become the song that represents us.”
‘Ode to Love’ will have all tracks released at 6 p.m. on the 20th across various music sites and consists of a total of 10 songs, including the title track of the same name.
