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| NCT DREAM performs during "THE DREAM SHOW2 ― In A DREAM" concert at the Jamsil Sports Complex's Main Stadium in southeastern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment |
K-pop band displays 'matured' dream in 1st live concert as septet
By Dong Sun-hwa
Although the path was quite rocky, K-pop boy group NCT DREAM at last arrived at the Jamsil Sports Complex's Main Stadium in southern Seoul ― the largest concert venue in Korea that can accommodate more than 60,000 spectators. The SM Entertainment act played the first leg of its second solo concert, "THE DREAM SHOW2 ― In A DREAM," Thursday, nearly three years after holding its last in-person concert in 2019.
"I am feeling all sorts of emotions right now because honestly, our road to this stadium was pretty bumpy," frontman Mark said during a press conference that took place at the stadium a few hours ahead of the concert. "So I am truly thankful that we are finally here and that we can hold our first solo concert as a septet. I will not take it for granted."
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| NCT DREAM poses during a press conference at the Jamsil Sports Complex's Main Stadium in southeastern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment |
NCT DREAM was initially set to stage "THE DREAM SHOW2" at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul in July but it had to push back the date after two members ― Mark and Renjun ― tested positive for COVID-19. "THE DREAM SHOW2" is also the first live concert featuring all seven members, as "THE DREAM SHOW1," which took place in 2019, was held without Mark. The Canadian rapper had to leave the team after turning 20 due to NCT DREAM's age-based graduation system that only allows teenagers to be part of the team. However, he rejoined the group in 2020 after SM scrapped the system.
"We were really surprised to hear that we would perform at this stadium," Jeno added. "We were quite pressured in the beginning and wondered if we would be able to fill up all the seats. But as we prepared for the show, our worries gradually disappeared and we came to enjoy the entire process."
Renjun said, "We will display a lot of performances showing our chemistry and perform songs of diverse genres."
Renjun was right. The concert was a visual spectacle, and moreover, a testament to the members' musical maturity. NCT DREAM members, whose average age was only 15.6 when they burst onto the K-pop scene in 2016, demonstrated that they are far from being inexperienced or immature when it comes to performing.
The group opened the show with three songs featuring eye-opening dance moves ― "Glitch Mode," "Countdown (3, 2, 1)" and "STRONGER" ― showcasing their endless energy. Then they took the stage with a series of fan favorites, such as "Dreaming" and "Deja Vu," before taking them on a trip down memory lane with previous hits such as "My First and Last," "Bye My First…" and "Love Again."
"Since the name of our team is NCT DREAM, 'THE DREAM SHOW1' was about us diving into our dreams," Jeno told audience members during the concert. "This time, our members, who are already living out their dreams, will invite you to where we are so that we can hang out together."
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| NCT DREAM during the "THE DREAM SHOW2 ― In A DREAM" concert held at the Jamsil Sports Complex's Main Stadium in southeastern Seoul, Thursday / Courtesy of SM Entertainment |
The crown jewel of the 180-minute show was the musical-like performance of "My First and Last" (2017), in which the singers danced along with masked dancers donning outfits that they wore five years ago. Comparing the members to their younger selves, some 30,000 fans on the spot screamed at the top of their lungs.
NCT DREAM also commanded the stage with tunes like "Dive Into You," "Quiet Down," "Life Is Still Going On," "Ridin'" and "BOOM," showing they have both energetic and sentimental sides. The "Sorry, Heart" performance by Haechan, Renjun, Chenle and the "Saturday Drip" gig by Mark, Jeno, Jaemin and Jisung were also impressive, with the former highlighting the members' vocal bravura and the latter reveling in their rapping and dancing skills.
Bringing the event to a close, Jisung showed his appreciation to his followers as tears flowed from his eyes.
"Thank you for presenting me with such a beautiful moment," he said. "Thanks to all of you, I have become a son that my parents can be proud of."
After wrapping up its Seoul concert on Friday, NCT DREAM will continue its tour of major cities around the world.
