NCT's Unit Timeline
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2016
NCT debuts with NCT U and the song "일곱 번째 감각 (The 7th Sense)".
This debut included the members: Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun and Mark, Taeyong being the leader of NCT as a whole.
DEBUT DATE: 09th April 2016
Full lineup details: Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, Mark
The name NCT stands for "Neo Culture Technology", with "Neo" representing the new genre of music that NCT explores that's completely unique to them, and "Culture Technology" representing the integration of culture and technology.
NCT U is a rotational unit, meaning that the members participating in each comeback can change based on the concept of the song. This allows for a lot of diversity in their music and performances, as different combinations of members can bring different strengths and styles to each release.
2016
NCT 127 debuts with the song "소방차 (Fire Truck)".
DEBUT DATE: 07th July 2016
Full lineup details: Taeyong, Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, WinWin, Mark, Haechan
Leader: Taeyong
The number 127 refers to the longitude of Seoul (126.9, approx 127), showing the unit's connection and identity to the city.
NCT 127 is known for their energetic performances and unique blend of genres, often incorporating elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music into their sound, but also exploring more diverse genres in their b-sides.
2016
NCT Dream debuts with the song "Chewing Gum".
DEBUT DATE: 25th August 2016
Full lineup details: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung
There was no initial leader of the unit due to their graduation concept, but Mark, as the oldest member, usually took on these responsibilities.
The graduation concept meant members were expected to graduate to another unit after becoming an adult in Korea, with new members added to replace them.
Mark and Haechan are members of both NCT 127 and Dream, meaning there were times where they would miss certain schedules to be with the other unit.
2017
Johnny and Doyoung are added as new members of NCT 127.
Their debut song was "무한적아 (Limitless)"
RELEASE DATE: 06th January 2017
Updated 127 lineup: Taeyong, Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, WinWin, Mark, Haechan
Doyoung previously debuted with NCT U during The 7th Sense and Without You. Johnny was a long-known SM Rookie trainee who had almost debuted in EXO.
2017
Due to a sustained back injury, Jaemin was unable to participate in activities.
NCT Dream continued without him, releasing 마지막 첫사랑 (My First and Last) and We Young.
Updated lineup: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Chenle, Jisung
Fun fact: NCT Dream got their first music show win with My First and Last on 14th February 2017 — the first win by any NCT subunit!
2018
NCT 2018 released NCT's first full album Empathy, notably featuring Black on Black with all members, and BOSS reintroducing the NCT U rotational concept.
RELEASE DATE: 14th March 2018
Full lineup: Taeyong, Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Kun, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, WinWin, Jungwoo, Lucas, Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung
This marked the addition of Jungwoo and Lucas, as well as the return of Jaemin after his recovery.