Opinion | How big is too big when it comes to K-pop groups like NCT? With three more singers possibly joining, how far can boy band go?
- NCT was launched in 2016 as a boy band collective and currently has 20-plus members, who perform together and in subgroups NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV
- With talk of three K-pop rookies joining too, some observers are asking whether NCT fans will accept more new members or whether the group has reached capacity
The start of July saw some fresh additions to SM Entertainment’s roster, with the South Korean music label sharing news of three possible K-pop stars of the future: Eunseok, Shohei and Seunghan.
Introduced through social media and interviews with Women’s Wear Daily Korea, the trio are the latest talent SM has teased as part of its “SM Rookies” pre-debut group.
NCT was launched initially by SM Entertainment in 2016 after the label had announced plans to create a boy band with a fluid line-up that would feature an unlimited number of performers and subgroups. Currently, the group has more than 20 members, who perform in three subgroups – NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV; there are plans for two more, NCT Japan and NCT Hollywood.
The last new members to be introduced to NCT were Shotaro and Seungchan in 2020, neither of whom are currently active in any of its official subgroups but take part in performances that involve all the NCT members and smaller, temporary groupings.
