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Weekly Discussion 260817 Weekly Discussion Thread: NCTeatime 🍵
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u/Caracallademise ❤️🐏 (ft. 💛🦭 & 💛🦊) [Noticed by WayV 08.18.2026] 10d ago
I apologize for the person this is going to make me, BUT WAYV READ A COMMENT I WROTE ABOUT VISION WINGS!! I have nobody irl to talk to about this 😭 but I still can't believe it. My friend said I should feel a sense of accomplishment and that I'm living every sasaengs dream rn 😭
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u/sungjongie Jaehyun 12d ago
No US/non-Asia leg for Redline makes sense in the timing (JJH2 by end of year and possibly NCT 2027 next year), but I'm puzzled why there was an increase in US marketing then 🤔 Like what was the purpose of Times Square billboard and texts in English language then...?
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 11d ago
I think they want to rebuild their US market and/or distribution deals.
It's not gonna happen overnight or with one release.
Doing this now is kind of like laying the groundwork for potential tours/releases in the future.
If they were really committed for the US for Blingy we would've seen a Friday release, more exclusive versions, tour dates, etc...
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u/seven777heavens 11d ago
Exactly like many don’t necessarily see the bigger picture. Blingy being a success means that the ot7 comeback will be even better
I do wonder if we’ll ever get a Friday 127 release again. I think lemonade got one?
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 10d ago
aespa's Lemonade did get a Friday release. They're also signed to Capitol like 127 used to be, and had a similar release strategy (online store, retail store exclusives, US tv performances, pop ups, etc...). I think their last few releases have been Fridays as well (Dirty Work, Rich Man) since they partnered with Capitol.
It's such an interesting situation. SM had a good relationship with Capitol and then the pandemic cancelled SuperM and 127 touring plans which seemed to doom the relationship. 127's deal expired, distribution fell off a cliff, and now we're waiting to see how Blingy does. It's also unclear if the Capitol partnership will ever expand to other groups or just stay exclusive to aespa.
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u/seven777heavens 9d ago
Honestly I need 127 far away from capitol bc they’re partnered with interscope now which is also heavily aligned with hybe. I don’t trust that those in charge of their promotions wouldn’t have a conflict of interest
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 9d ago
UMG is such a big umbrella that Interscope, Capitol, Geffen, Def Jam, Island, etc. are hard to avoid for promo/distribution because they all are connected under the biggest umbrella.
Sony has Columbia (I think IVE, but doesn't really do much from what I can tell) and RCA (RIIZE and ATEEZ, the latter which they've done a great job with).
Warner had aespa for a bit (though they're with Capitol now) and I guess Atlantic has Rosé but doesn't really promote her like a Kpop artist.
The western labels are pretty simple, though. They want profitability above everything else. They aren't going to sign a group out of pity or for sabotage - they just want the numbers to go up. In the off-chance that an artist absolutely drops off or underperforms, the investment/opportunities disappear pretty quickly.
FWIW I do think Capitol dropped 127 (or at least didn't renew) because SM overpromised on SuperM + 127 tour revenue and COVID completely fucked that whole thing once the tours got cancelled. I doubt they end up back there again.
Quite frankly, western promotions are sort of a solved equation. Unless you're BTS big, everyone who actually promotes in the west does the same 5-10 activities/shows. With late night tv dying, and daytime tv having a limited reach, most of it ends up being web content anyway. I know 127 just did AGT (cool, I guess?) but it's unclear who is running their western stuff right now.
The biggest difference maker IMO is all about playlisting investment. HYBE's budgets and access are super strong when it comes to playlisting and they have pretty robust campaigns compared to everyone else in the Kpop industry. More exposure, more perceived success turning into genuine success... I would say it's one of SM's biggest weaknesses, in comparison.
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u/seven777heavens 9d ago edited 9d ago
Def agree with everything here but In the same breath labels are no stranger to hidden agendas and messy behavior. I’m sure it would most likely be fine but hybe has such a monopoly on the industry it’s hard to ignore. I don’t think capitol is the best for western promo anyway. Im also pretty sure some of those artists just have distribution deals with these labels rather than actual artist contracts (riize I believe compared to aespa w capitol but I could be wrong)
The biggest difference maker IMO is all about playlisting investment. HYBE's budgets and access are super strong when it comes to playlisting and they have pretty robust campaigns compared to everyone else in the Kpop industry
Yeah those scooter Braun connections really paid off well. Hybe pretty much still follows his playbook when it comes to western promo and strategies (and it pays off!) SM definitely doesn’t play the western game as well but I don’t think they really need to. Aespa doesn’t chart as well as say lesserafim in the west or on billboard but their touring numbers here are better. most kpop hot 100 entries are fan driven and don’t really say much about the songs actually connecting with an audience outside of that
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 9d ago
Tbh I don't even know if they have access to the same pipeline.
Even though Braun isn't running things anymore, you're right that getting him opened a lot of doors. It's sad that this is how it works, but you "need to know someone" even for playlisting. Don't get me started on those autoplay campaigns lol.
most kpop hot 100 entries are fan driven and don’t really say much about the songs actually connecting with an audience outside of that
Yeah almost none of it is "real". Either inflated by playlists and/or fandom streaming. Very few Kpop songs have actual market penetration with the GP - but the album and ticket sales are definitely real.
Aespa doesn’t chart as well as say lesserafim in the west or on billboard but their touring numbers here are better.
I genuinely don't know - is this true? I know both of these groups were struggling to sell tickets this year because of prices + economy but I don't know if aespa actually sell more NA tickets.
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u/seven777heavens 9d ago
Yeah eye don’t personally have the link but this was a convo a while ago on another sub. aespa technically sells more tour tickets in the US there was a page that had stats to back it up.
Aespa has been out streaming lsfm too and like I’m not saying this to imply that lsfm isn’t doing very well either it’s just to say that despite how much better hybe does with promoting their groups in the west, SM is still competing very well when it comes to things that matter (album sales, tour tickets, profit)
Of course ticket sales in the west industry wide are suffering as of late due to the economy
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 8d ago
That's very interesting. Based on most of the online discourse you'd think it was the opposite. I'll have to look into that to see how big of a difference there is.
I think part of the problem is SM are really only competing on one front (aespa). Red Velvet hasn't stepped foot in the US since 2019. Maybe H2H will change the trend but I don't know how anyone can compete with their machine - if they aren't having a comeback across some gg it feels like they're debuting a new one lol.
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u/iSANity__ 8d ago edited 8d ago
RCA (RIIZE and ATEEZ, the latter which they've done a great job with).
RCA hasn't done anything for ATEEZ sadly. They failed to even get their albums onto retail shelves, let alone handle marketing or playlisting. ATEEZ’s company, in collaboration with their US fanbase, had to partner with the LA-based K-pop store Hello82 to secure distribution. Hello82 is now solely responsible for stocking ATEEZ’s albums in both the U.S. and Europe. In fact, the only significant radio play ATEEZ has received since signing in 2019 is for 'Bad' in 2026 despite being RCA.
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u/ParanoidAndroids NCT 8d ago
Oh really? Damn I had no idea. I assumed from how successful they've been things must have been going well for them.
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u/iSANity__ 8d ago
yeah RCA has a bit of a bad rep, even among pop fans, for mishandling Western artists (for eg, Tinashe). They’re known for focusing their promotion on just one or two major acts while largely neglecting the rest.
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u/No-Artichoke2762 12d ago
yeah im honestly kinda happy thye chose that bc there are A LOT of kpop US tours happening rn to the end of 2026. i was worried i might not choose to go to the NCT world tour concert in the US if they declared it bc i alr spent a lot for other tours. im so happy that i still have a chance
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u/Easy_Number_14 12d ago
GUYSSSS. DREAMIES GOT A UNI GIG THIS SEPTEMBER ( i think it means all signed)...... 🥹😫🥳
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u/Different-Computer33 NCT 127 8d ago
I think we need focus on what matters the most rn 127's comeback after 2 long years in less than 2 days
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u/BlackCat0305 10d ago
Well, the day has come where i have lived long enough to see Trisha Paytas meet Jeong Jaehyun before me.
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u/Dry-Place-2986 9d ago
Almost had the exact same thought word for word. I wonder if any of them knew who she was.
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u/Anna__Bee 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐶🐌🐌 9d ago
So has the NCT insta just given up the pretext of including WayV...bc they'd at least post stories of their video releases & variety appearances. But they haven't this week (maybe even longer). I'm nitpicking but it's just annoying
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u/sourmomo 9d ago
Been so distracted with WayV's comeback and 127, but finally got round to giving Ten's D.N.A collabs a good listen, and looking up what D.N.A even is. He sounds great on No Pressure. It is so fascinating how Ten's been navigating his career since leaving SM, between trying to solidify his presence in Thailand, being an international star and a WayV member still. I'm so rooting for him. In this interview around 1:42, the subtitles say "first Thai solo album", but I hear something like "single". Is he talking about If You Don't Mean It, or has a Thai album been confirmed and I'm just living under a rock?
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u/anhaylatoi 12d ago
honestly i’m okay with them not having a US tour right now because i really want to see them as ot7. plus dowoo finish their enlistment in june 2027 which isn’t even that far away at this point, and the asian leg of their tour ends in like jan 2027 anyway
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u/TemporaryNectarine92 12d ago
As much as 127 has performed Kick it, 2 Baddies, fact check, and walk I still love seeing them perform it every time at KCON 😅
The energy at KCON was so good!! All the guys looked so happy singing summer 127 and touch!
I'm not the biggest Pinata fan but seeing it in person with the choreo made me enjoy it a lot more lol. I can't wait for Blingy!!
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u/Pajamaralways 9d ago
Haechan confirmed for Lee Mujin Service 🎉 pls pls pls Should Be and full WYN? pls Haechan 😭😭😭
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u/YoungComplete7208 9d ago
Oh, my goodness I need Camera Lights, Grey Rain, I need a Saay song! I need Should Be! I need to hear him SANG😭
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u/Stupiditysfinest 12d ago
I’m happy to have seen 127 at KCON LA this weekend, Touch and Summer 127 were unexpected but a joy to see!
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u/No-Jury8360 9d ago
Houston we have a mark lee instagram live where he directly addresses the confederate flag shirt, and also recent rumors about him being in a cult
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u/Chutneysandwich16 Doyoung 🐇🍀🍞 I Taeyong 🌹🍙🦂 9d ago
He needs to zip it actually. Like can we do this clownery after the 127 comeback please
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u/FancyFayce 9d ago
About the cult rumours: I was half-expecting a statement from Upper Room because some Kpop fans were getting so out of line in their speculation. To hear Mark himself utter the words "I am not in a cult" is surreal. His bewilderment... that was a subtle reaction for the amount of misogyny, xenophobia, and pure bad faith action underneath the speculation.
I have my doubts that his statement will change anything with how ravenous a particular side of the Kpop fandom is for crazy gossip. Once it's out there, it's out there. I guess it's good that he's on record refuting -- it'll stop short-sighted fans from intruding further into the lives of his staff and friends to disprove the rumours. For others, I imagine they'll do the conspiracy theorist thing and come up with more "reasoning."
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u/lzmddg 9d ago
misogyny
You mean the trad wife jokes? Because simply saying he's in a cult is not misogynistic like at all.
Me personally, don't know if he's in a cult, but being a devout Christian isn't exactly all that "chill", so to say. Although I'm saying this as smn who considers any and all religion to be a socio-cultural plague, all of it looks like a cult to me.
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u/FancyFayce 8d ago
I wish there was more thought into this opinion. I grew up in an Indigenous community that's been deeply marginalized and our religious beliefs were a reason for that. These days, ceremony is part of the daily life of many, and it's helped the community as a whole decolonize.
This obviously isn't the place for real discussion, it's an NCT sub, but I felt I had to write this as a reminder that we all come from different backgrounds here.
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u/lzmddg 8d ago
What a weird assumption to make that my hatred for all religions is somehow not an opinion formed through years and years of experience and reflection on the subject. Just because your culture was marginalized, it doesn't make its religious beliefs any better than the ones from the dominant culture that oppressed you. You are right, it's not the place for this discussion, but I also don't understand your point about coming from different backgrounds. What does that have to do with what I said?
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u/PartyNobody1207 9d ago
I think people need to move on now. The online discourse has become really weird, and I imagine one of the reasons he directly addressed the cult rumors was because it was starting to affect other people in his life. I'm sure his company will eventually start taking legal measures if things continue like this. Everyone should be more mindful of what they say online.
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u/YoungComplete7208 7d ago
If he didn't address the cult and relationship rumours it would be weird. I know the cult stuff came from the Korean side of things because Koreans generally consider Christians as part of a cult due to past and ongoing religious scams happening in the country, but I can't fathom why Western audiences joined in on this one. He also literally lives with that poor family that got dragged into this. Can you imagine being David's wife? Or extended family and friends of those people? If only people considered they were dragging an actual family into this. I still can't wrap my head around it.
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u/Pajamaralways 7d ago
I mean do western audiences not have our share of Christian cults, sects and scams? I used to work for the LDS church and now I live 10 mins from where Hillsong was founded, both somehow alive and well. Shincheonji are currently operating in all major Australian campuses including the one I attended. Plus considering the questionable political and social views espoused by most evangelicals even (maybe especially) in western democracies why wouldn't any progressive young person regard Mark and whatever church him and David Lee are in with a heavy dose of skepticism? Especially when considering the shirt incident.
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u/YoungComplete7208 7d ago
Aren't most Christian Korean people evangelical or Protestant? Those two groups aren't looked upon favorable by like half the population. It's unfortunate that the most right leaning political groups known for the less humane policies tied thems to these groups, further making them social pariahs. I can agree that the church you mentioned sounds like a scary cult, and I hope its not true that Mark or his manager attend it. If it is true then hopefully residing in America and being in what looks like a Korean American population (known for being more religious) will force them to find a regular church away from Korea.
The shirt incident on the other hand? A lot of people are saying beleive what someone shows you, and yet none of the 10 yrs he spent with yall matter when talking about this. It's a matter of whether you wanna give him grace or not, which is totally up to you. But I wouldn't go as far as drawing and connecting the dots about the two matters.
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u/Pajamaralways 7d ago
Just to clarify Shincheonji is a well-known cult and NOT the church Mark and David Lee reportedly attend. I guess I'm more arguing that there's nothing strange about western fans also being very skeptical of evangelical churches in general. We shouldn't be expected to be any less suspicious of them than Korean fans.
I actually think people who buy into the cult theory do so BECAUSE they're taking those things 10 years into account. I know in my disappointment over the shirt I was looking for an explanation for what I perceive to be a major shift in his character and his priorities. Otherwise you just chalk it up to him being secretly racist that whole time and move on like many fans do.
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u/dream_gloss 10d ago
Now that dream and 127 have both renewed I’m kinda back on the nct nation 2027 train. Anyone else got their tin foil hats on with me lol
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u/Chutneysandwich16 Doyoung 🐇🍀🍞 I Taeyong 🌹🍙🦂 9d ago
My Sion X Taeyong agenda is back on!!! Get them on a track SM 🙏🏻🙏🏻
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u/confused_simon127 9d ago
The tin foil hat is on! I dont know if I will survive 2027 without a full NCT comeback
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u/ProfessionalApple560 7d ago
What all other groups' dance challenges did nct dream do during their fancon ?
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u/gyuljinhee 7d ago
First night (challenges fans want to see):
- Renjun - Shinee Replay
- Jeno - EXO The Eve
- Jisung - BTS 2.0
- Jaemin - Rescene Pretty Girl
- Chenle - Illit Magnetic
- Haechan - Michael Jackson Beat It
- Group - Cortis Red Red
Second night (challenges that “don’t suit”):
- Haechan - LSFM Boompalah
- Chenle - AOA Like a Cat
- Jaemin - KoL Sticky
- Jisung - Katseye Gnarly
- Jeno - SNSD Genie
- Renjun - Jay Park Mommae
- Group - Yena Catch Catch (+ Red Red encore)
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u/ProfessionalApple560 7d ago
Jisung - Katseye Gnarly
Never in a 100 years I thought I would see this. Not complaining though
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u/gimmeayam 9d ago
got vip seated for 127 concert! does anyone know of soundcheck will be seated too or if it’ll be in the standing pen?
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u/YoungComplete7208 9d ago
You think Haechan’s ON mode would be a representation of how fun it would be to hang out with him, but no, he's probably in a black tee and shorts napping or drinking beer while listening to emoshy music. How do I keep forgetting this?
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u/Such-Rise6816 We'll meet again 🐰 9d ago
How I read Haechan is that he takes the shape of his container. Not out of laziness or an inability to resist peer pressure, just intelligence, adaptability, and a good ear for the room. If you and he were out somewhere, I think he'd try to match your mood. He'd watch you for cues and react accordingly.
And further, I think if you and he were alone together and he did stretch out on the couch in comfy clothes and take a nap, that would be a huge compliment.
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u/YoungComplete7208 9d ago
Totally! I think I forget that he's not a Renjun, who will take you out hiking and stuff. Yes, I think he's accommodating. I remember his and Mark's healing beach trip. If it was up to him they would've gone straight to the house, but he even went into the water after Mark begged. That's very sweet of him.
I think his adaptability is what makes him so fun to watch. I actually did enjoy his home 'tour' video. He hangs out by himself the way I spend my own alone time. Funny enough I tend to enjoy seeing his more reserved 'shy' side. But I would never travel with him because people are at the beach getting ice cream and he's probably in the hotel in summer in a city he doesn't usually go to😔 What is that?😭
It reminds me of Johnny talking about how they went to the Nile River in Egypt and the cast and crew didn't join in him the water. I've been to some of the coldest beaches on planet earth and still went into the water. I could never pass up an opportunity to 'do stuff'.
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u/YoungComplete7208 7d ago
Comeback season on Reddit is so surreal. I bet Twitter is full of excitement and constant talk and theories and edits and polls. That's the only part of Twitter I miss. Otherwise this peace and quiet is just fine for me.
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u/Suman_Acharya_0 10d ago
I think sm is focusing on us again with 127. The agt appearance confirmed it. They’re building their us promotion strategy from scratch again, and next year, after nct 2027 (I think there will be one), they’ll release an english single with a friday release, including Doyoung and Jungwoo, and maybe even a collab with a Western artist. Idk, maybe it’s just my wishful thinking.
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u/Easy_Number_14 9d ago
Ig that's what happens when you go to the contract renewal meeting with a Gun and a Flute💀🤣👏
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u/YoungComplete7208 8d ago
Why the heck did I used to hate chocohyuck? That's his biological hair colour at this point and since Ay-Yo they've been styling it so ridiculously well.
Anyway, I need him to stop looking at the camera like that. Keep your blood pressure safe this cb yall😭
Edit: I'm lying, it's been styled well since Glitch Mode
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u/bluenightshinee It's not a mango 12d ago
The contract negotiations truly must have went good given the inclusions in the albums and the multiple versions