NCT 127 stopped by the studio to share more about their sixth studio album, and the lead single from the album, "Walk," along with the choreography and new energy that this album brings in addition to their growth. They talked about their favorite songs from the new album, their first performance at KCON in seven years, hinted at possible tour plans, and more!
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MusicTranscript
00:00I can't control myself, but that's actually a good title.
00:03Reggae.
00:04Oh.
00:05So we have the genre and we have the song title.
00:08I can't control myself.
00:10So when it happens, I'll be like, that happened at Billboard.
00:14To all NCT, hi, we're NCT 127.
00:18And you are watching Billboard News.
00:23So I'm happy to have you guys back.
00:25You got a new album out, new song, all titled Walk.
00:27So let's talk about the song first and how great it's been to see the fans react in such a big way.
00:32It's our sixth album, our sixth full-length album.
00:35And I think our fans are really, really liking it, like we are.
00:39It's been a while since we made a comeback in the summer.
00:42I think the choreography really enhanced the charms of the song as well.
00:47Seeing us perform Walk and just hearing the song Walk both ways, it's really, it's bringing some good responses from the fans.
00:55So thank you very, very much.
00:57I was talking to some fans at KCON and I asked them, if you could listen to one NCT 127 song, what would it be?
01:03And they said Walk.
01:05They're so excited about it.
01:06The energy was crazy.
01:13Tell me a little bit about the music video and creating it.
01:15You said the choreography.
01:16I mean, you guys keep topping yourselves.
01:18So talk about filming the music video and what that process was like.
01:21We usually have individual scenes where we all have our own role.
01:26But this time it was more with a crew kind of vibe.
01:30So we mostly filmed it all together.
01:33Everyone was on one screen throughout the whole music video.
01:37So that was the new part of this one.
01:40And then you said this is your sixth studio album.
01:42I mean, last time you guys were here it was like Two Baddies, One Pour.
01:47It seems like that was yesterday, but now you're already at your sixth album.
01:50So tell me how this one is different than you feel like your past was.
01:53Just from the start of this album, even from when we first wanted to create this album,
01:58we were in a different mindset.
02:00Just, you know, for obvious reasons.
02:02We're not all together with nine members.
02:05Just from that point on, we knew that from just picking out the songs for each and every, for the entire track list,
02:12we were very prudent with each and every decision.
02:15But for Walk especially, we knew that we didn't want to weaken our performance.
02:19And so we were very serious with each and every step of the album.
02:22And I think that really shows sonically and, you know, even in the aesthetics and everything.
02:27So overall, it turned out to be a very solid album.
02:30And with the changes that you guys have went through, how was the recording process?
02:34What was the creative process like in making the music?
02:38Recording was kind of similar with the way that we always did.
02:41But performance-wise, it was quite a shift for us.
02:46Because we always had that go-to performance that we always had to show.
02:52But this time, we kind of changed.
02:54We kind of got ready for our next chapter where we could be more free while being synchronized.
03:01So it was kind of challenging for us.
03:04But I think overall, we really made it well.
03:07You guys are making it work on stage, man.
03:09I like the freedom you guys have.
03:10Yeah, the freedom, right.
03:12Let's talk about favorite tracks.
03:13I want everybody to kind of tell me what their favorite song is on Walk.
03:16Can't Help Myself.
03:23Because it's easy to listen to.
03:25I love Pricey.
03:31I love the rhythm and the atmosphere of the song.
03:35It changes every day, but for today, I think I would have to say Raindrop.
03:38Raindrop.
03:42Raindrop is probably my favorite b-side track for today.
03:46I love Can't Control Myself.
03:48Same as Jungwoo.
03:50Can't Help Myself.
03:53I can't control myself.
03:57But that's actually a good title.
03:59We're working on the next album.
04:01We'll keep that in our pockets.
04:04Write that down.
04:06I was like, what did I make a mistake on?
04:08All of a sudden, my face was like this.
04:10But it's actually a cool title.
04:12Same as Jungwoo.
04:13Yes.
04:14Haechan, what about you?
04:15Pricey.
04:16Pricey.
04:33And I feel like your songs have a certain swag.
04:35A certain NCT 127 swag to it.
04:37But people have been switching genres a lot lately.
04:40So can you guys think of a genre that you haven't done
04:43that you might play around with on a future album?
04:46Reggae.
04:49Not like Bob Marley reggae, but a little up-tempo
04:54with a little new instruments.
04:57It's got some hips in it.
04:58Yeah, yeah.
04:59With some solid 808s in there.
05:01It might sound pretty dope, I think.
05:04So we have the genre and we have the song title.
05:09So when it happens, I'll be like, that happened at Billboard.
05:13Oh my God.
05:14And then let's talk about KCON a little bit.
05:16How was it to be up on stage in front of all your fans again
05:19and get that instant gratification?
05:24The thing I really liked about this KCON, though,
05:26was that we were the starting performance of the entire show.
05:30And then we were the finale.
05:32To really receive all that energy from the start of the show
05:35and setting the tone of the show with our song Kick It,
05:39absorbing all that energy until the ending of the show.
05:42And then when we go back up for the finale,
05:44trying to explode it even more.
05:46I feel like that entire chorus was just really, really...
05:49I don't think I've ever had a show like that before.
05:52So it's been seven years since we did our last KCON.
05:55And then I see, to have that experience where you perform
05:58and then you wait and perform again,
06:00all those other amazing acts in between.
06:02So tell me how it is to be at KCON with the other idols.
06:05Do you know these people?
06:06What's up and hyping? How's it going?
06:08How is it backstage?
06:31Yeah, I gotta admit, I love when you guys do challenges.
06:33It's one of the coolest things when y'all collab like that.
06:36And then what about new groups?
06:37When I see trainees or new debut groups like 2US was there.
06:41Do you have any advice when you see younger people
06:43since you guys have been in the industry?
06:45You know, you guys are vets.
06:46A group named NCT Wish also debuted recently.
06:51What I noticed is that every member has a different style.
06:55But for me, it's hard to give advice to advice.
06:59I think I'm more of a person
07:01who could listen to what they're worrying about
07:06or what their thoughts are now.
07:08I'm not a person who could give advice.
07:12I'm more of a person to hang out.
07:15Hey, but I'm sure they appreciate that.
07:17Yeah, that too can be advice.
07:18Yeah, I agree.
07:19You know what I just noticed?
07:21I think it's better to not give advice.
07:24Because thinking of NCT Wish,
07:28you see their stage and that kind of stage
07:30you can only do when you first come out.
07:33We can't do it exactly like them, like a new debut artist.
07:37And so just let them have that.
07:40Their moment.
07:41Yeah, their moment and just look back from afar
07:44and be like, good job, I guess.
07:46And what have you guys been doing
07:47when you've been chilling in LA?
07:49What's your LA go-to hangouts?
07:51Santa Monica Beach.
07:53Okay.
07:54He likes the pier.
07:55In-N-Out burger, of course.
07:57How do you get your burger?
07:59What's the name of the burger?
08:01Special.
08:02Animal style.
08:05Animal style.
08:06Yeah.
08:07Monkey?
08:09Monkey?
08:10Monkey?
08:15I love it.
08:16You can't control him.
08:18And then are you guys watching the Olympics?
08:19Are you guys excited for the sports?
08:20Team Korea, who are we rooting for?
08:22It's my algorithm.
08:24Oh, it's everything.
08:25All you're doing, all you can see.
08:27Are you guys into sports?
08:28Who's into sports in the group?
08:30Soccer, football.
08:32Well, me and Utah used to be like,
08:35we used to love sports.
08:38But everyone else also does like sports.
08:41I enjoy watching just Team USA play basketball.
08:44Oh, nice.
08:45Just the highlights.
08:46I'm not really that into it.
08:47I think this year's team is just really, really like,
08:51how the players are crazy.
08:54It feels like an all-star game almost.
08:56Oh, I mean, it is.
08:57It's crazy to tell.
08:58I'm just enjoying to see all the legends playing one team.
09:01And then didn't you go to Wimbledon?
09:03I did, yeah.
09:04How was that?
09:05It was crazy.
09:06I saw Andrew Garfield.
09:08Spiderman!
09:10Apart from that, it was my first Wimbledon experience.
09:13It was my first Wimbledon experience.
09:15And just seeing my first tennis match in real life,
09:19it was an unforgettable experience.
09:22And I guess what sports is for you guys is being on the stage.
09:25That's your performance.
09:26That's your adrenaline.
09:27So when you guys are out there on tour,
09:29how do you get that energy?
09:30IVs.
09:31Local food.
09:32Eat food.
09:34Really?
09:35Because I feel like I would eat and be tired.
09:37You eat and then go perform?
09:38Energy.
09:39Energy.
09:40We definitely get the energy from the fans that live at that city.
09:44If we're in L.A., we definitely get the energy from our L.A. fans.
09:48And same goes for every other city.
09:49But each city holds their own energy.
09:52And that's what we feed on.
09:53And I mean, the new album is out.
09:55When are we going to see you guys on the road again?
09:57Do you guys have plans to go out and see more fans?
09:59We're actually going right to Japan.
10:02Nice.
10:03Tonight.
10:04Oh, tonight.
10:05Like right now.
10:06Literally right after.
10:08We also have a lot of future plans to see all of our worldwide fans.
10:12So stay tuned, guys.
10:14A little teaser.
10:15Just a little teaser there.
10:16Before the camera started rolling, we were talking about music.
10:19So I actually want to ask you guys, what have you been listening to lately?
10:21Because I heard some Sexy Red.
10:24We were talking about Kendrick Lamar.
10:26So what are you guys jamming to?
10:28I am currently jamming to Pia.
10:31Oh, my God.
10:33I had some help.
10:35Oh, yeah. Post Malone.
10:36Yeah, dude.
10:38Linkin Park.
10:41Oh, that classic.
10:43Give it up.
10:44What am I listening to nowadays?
10:46I'm actually listening to a lot of Korean songs lately.
10:49Like what?
10:50Like Jannabi.
10:51Oh, yeah.
10:52Jannabi.
10:53It's like kind of a Korean...
10:56Rock?
10:57Indie?
10:58Korean indie?
10:59It just feels really good to listen to with the weather nowadays and just the atmosphere.
11:05I don't listen to a lot of music.
11:08He listens to the world, I guess.
11:12That's the best answer.
11:13It's the best answer.
11:14That's the craziest answer.
11:15Sound of nature.
11:17What about you, my friend?
11:26Oh, his solo album.
11:27Nice, nice.
11:30See, friends support friends.
11:31Right.
11:32And then before we get out of here, just any words that you guys want to have to your fans that have supported you over all these years?
11:37I mean, it's really good to be back here.
11:40Same sofa too, right?
11:41Yeah.
11:42It's great to be back here at Billboard.
11:44Thank you for having us.
11:45And like I said, this brief but very, very strong visit to LA was really, really good for us.
11:52Thank you to everyone that showed up to the KCON show as well.
11:55And like I said, we still have a lot of plans for you guys.
12:00So stay tuned and we'll be back to see you guys as soon as we can.
12:04Go listen to Walk.
12:06Check out Walk.
12:07Thanks, guys. It's always good to have you.