(Photo courtesy of SM ENTERTAINMENT)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] For some, it has been 10 years of growing as artists. For others, it has been a decade of spending their youth alongside the artists they love. Celebrating its 10th debut anniversary, NCT DREAM is looking back on the years gone by while singing about the dreams still ahead. The group's sixth full-length album ‘DREAM AFTER DREAM’ captures not only the members' memories but also the countless moments they have shared with NCTzens, their official fandom.

Released on November 9, the album features 10 tracks, including the title song ‘Boogie Woogie’. True to its title, which suggests dreams that continue endlessly, the album conveys a message of moving toward new dreams while building on the experiences and memories accumulated together over the past decade.

Notably, this is NCT DREAM's first full-length album as a six-member group consisting of RENJUN, JENO, HAECHAN, JAEMIN, CHENLE, and JISUNG, as well as a special release commemorating its 10th anniversary. Following MARK's departure from NCT in April, the album marks the group's first comeback under its new lineup, making it particularly meaningful for the members.

Through the album, the members reflected on their memories from the past 10 years and expressed their gratitude toward NCTzens.

JENO described every moment of the past decade as feeling like a dream, highlighting the time spent with fans as some of his most precious memories.

JAEMIN shared that the love he received from NCTzens had brought him immense happiness and that he wanted to convey just how meaningful that affection had been through the album.

RENJUN also expressed his gratitude to NCTzens for sharing his youth with him, hoping they would continue creating diverse and precious memories together in the years ahead.

While the past decade has been filled with music and performances for NCT DREAM, it has also been a period during which fans have built their own memories by sharing those experiences with the group.

In that sense, the album is meaningful not only as a reflection on the memories that remain part of each other's youth, but also as a promise to keep dreaming and moving forward together.

 


These sentiments are also reflected in the title track ‘Boogie Woogie’.

The song is an uptempo dance track that combines the vintage charm of 1970s disco funk with modern synthesizer sounds. Rhythmic percussion and a groovy bassline create an upbeat atmosphere that naturally invites listeners to move along with the music.

JAEMIN participated in writing the lyrics, which celebrate the relationships built over the past 10 years and express gratitude toward those who have made ordinary everyday moments feel extraordinary.

With its bright and playful energy, the song conveys the belief that the moments still to come will shine just as brightly as long as they are shared together.

The music video follows a similar theme, depicting ordinary daily life transforming into a joyful, dreamlike celebration with the arrival of NCT DREAM.

The members' playful chemistry and bright, energetic performances bring the song's positive energy to life.

The album also reinforces NCT DREAM's musical identity.

Rather than pursuing a drastic transformation, the members explained that they wanted to continue delivering hope and strength through music that feels distinctly their own.

HAECHAN emphasized the message, "Wherever our music exists, that is where NCT DREAM belongs."

CHENLE, meanwhile, explained that the members had prepared the album with particular care, hoping that the stories they wanted to tell would resonate more sincerely with listeners as they continued growing musically.

The comeback has also delivered notable chart results.

On its release day, NCT DREAM's sixth full-length album ‘DREAM AFTER DREAM’ topped the daily rankings of major Korean album charts, including Hanteo Chart and the Circle Retail Album Chart.

The title track ‘Boogie Woogie’ also reached No. 1 on Bugs' real-time chart.

The album received an enthusiastic response overseas as well.

In China, it topped QQ Music's Digital Album Sales Chart in both the overall and full-length album categories. With sales exceeding 750,000 yuan, it also earned Triple Gold Album certification.

The release additionally claimed No. 1 on Kugou Music's Digital Album Sales Chart, while ‘Boogie Woogie’ topped Tencent Music's K-POP Chart. Every B-side track from the album also entered the chart.

Over the past 10 years, NCT DREAM and NCTzens have left countless special memories in one another's youth.

For the members, this 10th anniversary represents not only an opportunity to celebrate the years they have shared, but also a new starting point filled with possibilities for the future.

JAEMIN emphasized that the group's 10th anniversary is not an ending, but the beginning of even more opportunities and possibilities.

Having shared so many meaningful moments throughout their youth, NCT DREAM and NCTzens are now looking ahead to the new dreams they will continue creating together.

Anticipation is growing for the next chapter of NCT DREAM's journey, one that promises to extend far beyond the memories of the past decade.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com