SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - As NCT DREAM approaches its 9th anniversary, the group is making a comeback with its fifth full-length album, "Go Back To The Future," built around the concept of time travel. The album was officially introduced during a press conference on Monday at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul.
The seven-member group, including Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung, explores the past, present, and future in a narrative that connects their beginnings in 2016 to their current identity in 2025 and a distant future they call the "Absolute Present." To fully realize the time travel theme, they received official approval to pay homage to the film "Back to the Future" from Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, combining familiar visuals like hoverboards with NCT DREAM's own symbols.
"It is an album with double title tracks. It consists of nine songs and carries a theme of time travel," Mark explained. "We, the quirky seven members of NCT DREAM, accidentally discover a time machine, which is a hoverboard. As NCT DREAM, known for our storytelling, we included many fun elements in the album revolving around time."
"BTTF" (Back To The Future), one of the title tracks, reflects on the idea of understanding a regret-free past while facing choices that can change the future. Jeno described the song as intense and central to the album’s message. Renjun added, "All the time in the past has accumulated to create the current NCT DREAM. Some lyrics recur like a slogan, capturing our shining selves from the past, present, and future."
The group also nodded to their origins by wearing the same pajamas from their debut music video in the "BTTF" video, recreating those early scenes. "It conveys the message that the 'us' back then has led to the 'us' now," they said.
The second title track, "CHILLER," shifts the focus to enjoying the present with confidence. Chenle noted, "It is a song that follows 'BTTF.' It carries a message of enjoying my most radiant self just as I am. The word 'CHILLER' itself conveys a sense of leisure." Jaemin added that it was recorded in a relaxed but sincere atmosphere to match the lyrics' tone.
This is the first time NCT DREAM has selected two title tracks. "Rather than deciding to have double title tracks from the planning stage, we both loved them so much that we ended up going with double title tracks," Chenle explained.
The album also includes "I LIKE IT," "DREAM TEAM," and "Interlude: Back to Our PARADISE," as well as ballads like "My Rain Shower ('Bout You)," "When the Summer Wind Blows (That Summer)," and "Dawn Star (Miss Me)." "Beautiful Sailing" closes the album, reflecting on their journey and hinting at what lies ahead.
Ahead of the release, NCT DREAM held a three-day concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, drawing 60,000 fans and setting a new group record. "If those who attended the performances feel that they made the right choice to see an NCT DREAM concert, that brings me great fulfillment," Jaemin said.
Jisung reflected on their near-decade-long career, saying, "I feel pride in being a team that can hold a concert at Gocheok Dome." Haechan added, "Even though we are approaching the 9th anniversary, we will show a passion as if it's just our 9th day since debut."
NCT DREAM said their main goal is to deliver the album’s message clearly. "While each of us may have various new dreams, I believe that achieving the dream we initially had is valuable," Mark said. "Instead of dreaming different dreams, we want to carry the message, even if the form differs."
"Go Back To The Future" was released on Jul. 14 at 6 p.m. on major music platforms and is also available as a physical album.
Park Sae-jin Reporter swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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