25 Members, 5 Units, Endless Chaos: Welcome to NCT
Hello Bias Magazine #2
Hi, I’m Ayakimu.
Today I’d like to talk about my absolute favorite K-pop group — NCT.
Because they have so many members from different countries (Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and even Thailand!), many people find them hard to approach at first.
It’s common to hear things like, “I can’t figure out their system,” or “I can’t tell the members apart,” or “What even is their concept?”
But once you get to know them, you’ll discover a group filled with stunning visuals and serious talent — just as you’d expect from SM Entertainment.
And once you're in, there's no going back.
So let’s take a closer look at what makes NCT so fascinating.
A Global, Massive Group Like No Other in K-pop: That’s NCT
NCT has a total of 25 members, divided into five units: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, NCT WISH, and NCT U.
Most members belong to just one unit, but a few — like Mark and Haechan — are active in more than one (both 127 and DREAM).
Confused already? Don’t worry — at first, all you need to know is that the group is somehow divided into different teams.
Oh, and by the way — with members constantly being added, leaving, or rotating, even fans can’t keep track of how many members there are at any given moment.
Honestly, I had to double-check myself while writing this!
NCT Is Made Up of 5 Official Sub-Units
Each of NCT’s five sub-units has its own unique style and concept.
It’s actually more fun if you think of them as completely different groups and enjoy them that way!
NCT 127 – The Unit with Top-Tier Performance Skills
NCT 127 is the core unit of NCT.
It’s an 8-member group featuring Taeyong (the leader of the entire NCT system), Johnny, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Yuta, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan.
(Taeil was also part of the group but left after legal issues.)
What sets NCT 127 apart is their raw talent.
Every member can sing, dance, and — of course — they all have stunning visuals.
Oh, and their songs? Really hard.
Even fans often say that when they hear a new track for the first time, they’re like, “What is this?”
But somehow, after a few listens, it becomes addicting — like musical brainwashing, in the best way.
Fun fact: Even the members themselves say they often don’t understand the concept of the song at first and get confused during the early stages of practice. (Yes, really.)
NCT DREAM – The Most Popular Unit in Korea
NCT DREAM debuted as the younger brother unit of NCT 127, originally made up of underage members with a graduation system at age 20.
But thanks to their catchy, relatable songs, they became a huge hit in Korea — and eventually grew into one of the defining groups of 4th-gen K-pop.
Their popularity now rivals (or even surpasses) NCT 127, and the graduation system has since been abolished.
The current lineup includes Mark, Haechan, Jaemin, Jeno, Renjun, Chenle, and Jisung.
Interestingly, fans of NCT 127 and NCT DREAM don’t always get along —
yes, even though they’re technically fans of the same larger group.
There are constant debates about which unit is more popular.
But honestly, it’s a pointless fight — both are massively successful.
And the funniest part?
Many of the people arguing about it… end up going to both groups’ concerts anyway.
WayV – A Chinese-Language Group Within K-pop
WayV is NCT’s most internationally diverse unit, made up of Kun, Ten, Winwin, Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang.
(Lucas was originally a member but left the group after a scandal.)
Every member speaks both Chinese and Korean, and several speak even more languages:
Ten is Thai and also fluent in Thai and English.
Yangyang speaks Mandarin, German, and English.
Hendery and Xiaojun can both speak Cantonese in addition to Mandarin.
What makes WayV truly stand out is their sound — a unique mix of K-pop’s catchy energy and smooth, beautiful Chinese lyrics.
If you’re getting a bit tired of the typical K-pop vibe, WayV offers something fresh and different.
Another reason fans love them?
Since many members are living far from home, they’ve formed a deep bond with each other — and you can really feel that closeness on and off stage.
NCT WISH – Cute Concepts That Hit Big in Korea & Japan
If WayV is centered around Chinese members, then NCT WISH is the unit led by Japanese members.
They’re the most recent group to debut, and one fun fact is that Ryo was actually scouted while attending an NCT 127 concert — and now, he’s debuting as an NCT member himself.
The lineup includes Sion, Yushi, Riku, Daeyoung, Sakuya, and Ryo.
While other NCT units are known for their bold or experimental concepts, NCT WISH has a fresh, clean image and sound — think of them as the boy-version of NewJeans, with soft, breezy songs that feel approachable and bright.
NCT U – A Rotating Unit Formed from All 25 Members
Each year, NCT releases a full-group album featuring all active members — and that’s where NCT U comes in.
This unit isn’t fixed. Instead, the members are shuffled and regrouped each time, creating new combinations and unexpected chemistry.
This constant mixing is one of NCT’s greatest strengths — and a big part of why fans love them so much.
One of the most iconic tracks to come from this system is “Make a Wish.”
It’s often called legendary — and for good reason.
The song’s unique vibe, the charisma of every member, and the overall visual impact make it an unforgettable performance.
If you haven’t heard it yet, go listen. You’ll see exactly why it’s so powerful.
25 Members Is a Lot… But Once You Learn Them, You Might Never Escape
This time, I introduced the different units that make up NCT.
With so many members and sub-units, it’s honestly one of the hardest groups for new fans to get into.
Sometimes I wonder, “Why would SM create something this complicated?”
But maybe that’s exactly the point — NCT shows SM’s confidence that even the most confusing concept can succeed if the talent is there.
And clearly, it’s working.
Once you fall into the world of NCT, there's no getting out — it’s like quicksand in the best way.
Their talent, visuals, and sheer uniqueness make it hard to feel satisfied with any other group.
So go ahead — dive into the chaos of Neo Culture and get completely hooked.