NCT DREAM, a subunit of the South Korean boy group NCT formed by SM Entertainment in 2016, was originally conceived as the youngest unit of NCT. The group followed an interesting “admission-and-graduation” concept, where members would graduate upon reaching the age of 20 (Korean age).
NCT DREAM quickly rose to commercial success, with their 2019 EP We Boom making them one of Korea’s top sellers that year. Their first studio album, Hot Sauce (2021), achieved over 1.7 million pre-orders, becoming one of K-pop’s most successful acts and breaking multiple records. They are the only Asian act to be featured three times on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” list and were named to Time’s 2018 “25 Most Influential Teens” list.
NCT DREAM have topped charts both in Korea and internationally, with impressive album sales and chart performances. The group has also held multiple successful tours, including their first international tour, The Dream Show, and their global influence continues to expand, making them one of the most popular K-pop groups of their generation.
NCT DREAM’s performance at OVO Arena Wembley, the final stop of their tour, THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE, offered a small insight into SM Entertainment’s K-pop group dynamics, particularly regarding the balance between spectacle, performance, and the physical demands placed on idol groups. As a journalist who has had the opportunity to witness a variety of K-pop concerts, I approached the event with an open mind, hoping to experience something truly exciting. While NCT DREAM brought some energy to the stage, the overall experience left me with mixed feelings.
The performance started with Box, accompanied by dramatic fire flames and intense lighting that made me think the show might turn into something great. However, the reliance on lip-syncing became clear early on, a feature that persisted throughout much of the show. While the song’s stage production shone, with fire leaping from the stage, the live vocals, when they were used, were decent but lacking the power and nuance expected from a major group. This issue continued with SOS, where synchronisation faltered at times, and the group’s energy seemed slightly lacking, possibly due to the exhaustive nature of their schedule. The visual production, particularly the island setup for GO, helped lift the show, though the live vocals still seemed minimal, casting a shadow over the otherwise polished visuals.
The group’s outfits were also worth noting, especially their punk-inspired leather looks in the first part of the show, which stood in stark contrast to the typical K-pop aesthetic, adding a touch of rock star flair that almost felt out of place yet still managed to work within the performance. As the show continued, they changed outfits several times, each looking as striking as the last.
During Poison, where the song’s slower tempo and R&B influences seemed to provide a perfect backdrop for live singing, the group once again opted for lip-syncing. It left some of us wondering just how much of the performance was truly live, especially when certain high notes seemed to be avoided. But regardless of that, fans did enjoy watching their beloved idols, without noticing whether they sang live or lip-synced. They danced, screamed, and were very happy – and that’s what matters to idols, right? They make people happy with their music.
Dripping, with its rock beats, and Arcade, with its retro-inspired VR backgrounds, showed the group’s versatility in style. However, the members’ fatigue was truly visible. Their dance moves became less sharp, and the vocals continued to rely more on playback than live singing. It felt as though the group was pushing through exhaustion, focusing more on completing the last show of the tour than fully engaging with their performance.
As the show carried on, there were moments of better performance – such as during We Go Up and Bungee – when the group showed more cohesion, and their energy improved, particularly with live rapping; these moments, without a doubt, provided more excitement. Breathing gave the group a chance to shine vocally, with high mics out and a live performance that was vocally synchronised. Each member seemed to step up individually, perhaps benefiting from a comfortable key that allowed their voices to harmonise beautifully.
NCT DREAM performed 25 songs, some delivered well, some not so much. However, by the time the encore rolled around with Rains in Heaven, the energy had shifted once again. The crowd was jumping, with the light sticks swaying in rhythm. It was clear that, despite their best efforts, the members were showing the toll of an exhaustive tour. This, perhaps, was the most telling aspect of the night: while NCT DREAM has a devoted fanbase and stage presence, the overwhelming pressure and constant performance schedule seemed to take a toll on the quality of the show. ANL and Like We Just Met ended the group’s concert.
Overall, the NCT DREAM concert at OVO Arena Wembley was a display of what K-pop can offer in terms of visuals, but it fell a bit short of delivering the high-impact live vocals and well-rounded stage presence that could have impressed many. They are a talented group of young men; nevertheless, their reliance on lip-syncing, combined with moments of fatigue and, at times, unsynchronized choreography, made for a show that, while somewhat entertaining, was ultimately underwhelming. For a group of their calibre, it’s fair to expect something grand.
The show ultimately left me wondering what might have been possible if the members had more time to recharge and if the performance had been crafted with a bit more care and balance – a note directed more toward the production team than the idols themselves. After all, it’s important to remember that idols, like artists in any field, are often overworked and may not always be able to deliver their best under such gruelling conditions.
Featured image courtesy of SM Entertainment
Written by Maggie Gogler
NEWS – Experience NCT DREAM‘s world tour, THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE, like never before as the K-pop phenomenon’s dazzling concert film, NCT DREAM Mystery Lab: DREAM( )SCAPE in Cinemas, comes to the big screen on 11th and 14th* December.
NCT DREAM Mystery Lab: DREAM( )SCAPE in Cinemas captures NCT’s thrilling live performances from their wildly successful three-night sold-out tour kickoff at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome in May 2024. Tickets go on sale from Wednesday 27 November at 9am GMT at nctdreamincinemas.com
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