NCT DREAM dazzles audiences with their first US tour THE DREAM SHOW2: In A DREAM

This April, K-Pop boy group NCT Dream embarked on its first U.S. headline tour THE DREAM SHOW2: In A DREAM  The group performed at the Allstate Arena on April 7.

After they finish their stops in the U.S., NCT DREAM will continue this tour throughout various European countries. 

NCT DREAM debuted in 2016. NCT is the acronym for “Neo Culture Technology,” and DREAM is representative of the group’s commitment to making music that reflects youth, adolescents, and growth. 

In a virtual college roundtable, the seven members of NCT DREAM, MARK, RENJUN, JENO, HAECHAN, JAEMIN, CHENLE, and JISUNG, sat down with college journalists around the nation to answer some burning questions.

When discussing the importance of why they decided to participate in this event, member MARK said, “It felt perfect and in a way meaningful for us to come by and say hi and to see that there are people like us who are just striving so hard for their dreams.”

Here are some of their responses to some of the questions asked at the roundtable:

Q: For those who don’t know much about the Korean pop industry, what sets your group apart from other K-pop groups?

RENJUN: ”I have to say that for NCT DREAM what sets us apart is our history and the story that we created since our debut. Every K-Pop group has a different color, but for NCT DREAM, it’s really the hope that we are trying to share and give to the youth, the story that we have ,and just the fun that we’re able to show through our music as well.”

Q: While NCT DREAM has performed at K-CON before, this is the first time the group is touring in the U.S. How do all the members feel about this, and how have you prepared?

MARK: “For this tour, NCT DREAM, it is pretty much the embarkation of a world tour. We’ve never done this before even though it’s been around eight years since we debuted. We have a lot of history and a lot of reasons for why we are doing this now. 

Long story short, we’re now beginning to really see the world and to travel all over around the world to see our fans. This first tour really means a lot. We had to prepare very strong performance-wise, and our mindset-wise to make sure that we can show the world our capabilities and what we are striving for.”

Q: What components of your performance will differ from your typical concert now that you’re performing for an American audience?

JENO: “I would have to say that more so than having differences in our stages, it’s really just that all of the experiences that we were able to gain from all of the past tours and cities that we’ve gone to and performed at.

I think through that we are able to you know, try harder and just be able to freely express ourselves even more. I think through that we are also leveling up and upgrading to another level.”

RENJUN: “I think each city that we perform at has its own, you know, different charm and atmosphere and, you know, for example, when we performed at Newark or you know, even Paris, I felt like we were able to really kind of enjoy those moments together with our fans, and that also gave us a lot more strength.”

Q: Touring around the world can be quite physically and emotionally draining. What are some activities that you do between schedules to help you recharge?

HAECHAN: “Playing games, shopping, and drinking beer.”

JAEMIN: “As soon as I arrived I went straight to the gym.”

CHENLE: “I’ve played basketball a bit more.”

Q: If you could talk to your past self, what is one piece of advice you would give yourself knowing what you know now? Do you feel like your music reflects this personal growth?

JISUNG: “I would have to say that I’d like to tell myself to not be scared or shy. Back then I — you know —was very kind of concerned of what people would think and I was very shy, but I don’t think there’s a need for that. So that is what I would tell my past self.”

MARK: “To answer the music section of your question, our growth is definitely visible in our music as well, and technically our voices have actually changed as well over the years. 

Besides that, just our inspirations and the way we kind of convey our emotions in music itself has grown, I like to say, and so we really like to put our experiences and our emotions into our music as much as we can, and we’re still growing, and I feel like our fans are growing with us.”

Q: What is one piece of advice that NCT DREAM would like to communicate to their college student audience?

RENJUN: “I would have to say that you know, your college years is when you have the most passion and the most strength to pursue your dreams and I would want to say to do everything that you want to do so that you live without regrets.”