Client: Rolling Stone
This murmured aside is poignant or maybe poetic, for time has fiercely pursued and played with NCT DREAM from the outset. The band’s original premise in 2016 featured a graduation system, whereby members would age out at 19, and new members added. Adhering to this, Mark left in late December 2018, a decision unpopular with the fandom who’d grown attached to the original line-up. Jaemin spent 2017-2018 on hiatus to recover from a back injury. Fans readied themselves for Jaemin, Haechan, Renjun and Jeno (all born in 2000) to graduate in 2019, an event that never materialised but which was also never addressed, plunging NCTzens (the fandom name) into confusion over the group’s fate. Instead, NCT DREAM would embark on their first major tour, only for it to be cut short in February 2020 due to COVID-19.
“Time did sort of feel like it was coming for us,” says Jisung with a small smile.
Blond and softly spoken Jeno laces his fingers: “I’d have to say that our path hasn’t been smooth sailing.”
Taylor Glasby 