NCT Members Profile

Taeyong, the multifaceted leader of the K-pop juggernaut NCT, released his highly anticipated first full-length solo album, "WYLD," Monday. Marking his return from a two-year hiatus that included mandatory military service, the 10-track project represents a stark artistic evolution as Taeyong took complete creative control, serving as both chief lyricist and sole producer. Hours before the global release, the 30-year-old discussed the psychological and musical shifts that defined his transition from a meticulously trained idol to a self-determined producer. Q: Your first studio album arrives after a two-year hiatus. What was the internal baseline as you approached this milestone? A: It is a mix of anticipation and genuine excitement. I spent the last two years looking back at my previous work, studying where I had been and identifying where I needed to evolve. I approached this project with a singular focus: to demonstrate measurable artistic growth. My hope is that when people listen, it triggers something primal — that it awakens their own musical instincts. Q: The album title swaps

Before BTS, Stray Kids and NCT, there was an era when Korean entertainment media was ruled by “kkonminam” stars — literally, “handsome flower boys.” Long before the word K-pop became a global shorthand, these soft-featured, camera-ready celebrities carried the kind of visual appeal and star power now associated with today’s idols. Years have passed since then. For fans who still remember their heyday, there is an inevitable question: Where are they now? And perhaps a more honest, slightly appearance-obsessed one: How do they look now? A recent wave of public appearances by stars from that era has given curious fans their answer. One of the biggest names to earn the “kkonminam” label was Nichkhun of 2PM. From the moment he debuted, Nichkhun stood out for his striking looks, quickly earning the nickname “Thai Prince.” His polished image helped raise 2PM’s profile and made him one of the defining faces of the era. So when Nichkhun appeared in a recent YouTube video centered on 2PM, fans did a double take — not only because it was a relatively rare appearance, but also

Across the K-pop industry, established groups are increasingly turning to subunits as both a creative experiment and a business strategy, forming smaller lineups that can explore sounds, concepts and audiences beyond the parent group. The trend has only accelerated this year. In the first five months of 2026 alone, K-pop boy band Seventeen's vocal duo DK x Seungkwan debuted with the mini-album "Serenade" in January, while NCT's duo unit JNJM released its first EP "Both Sides" in February. Most recently, boy band DRIPPIN's trio ChaDongHyeop unveiled its debut single in May. Together, the releases suggest something more deliberate than occasional side projects. In today's K-pop industry, the subunit projects have evolved into structural tools. Avoiding uncertainty For entertainment agencies, the logic is relatively simple. Launching a new idol group requires years of trainee development, financial investment and no guarantee of success. A subunit avoids much of that uncertainty. It arrives with an existing fanbase, brand recognition and promotional infrastructure already in place, while all

Former NCT member Mark may be preparing to relaunch his music career in the US as a solo artist, just one month after departing both the boy band and SM Entertainment. Speculation grew after Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, followed Mark on social media shortly after the singer ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment on April 8. Balogun is regarded as one of the music industry’s leading executives, having previously worked at RCA Records, where he helped develop

Taeyong of NCT will express himself fully in his first solo full album, “Wyld,” SM Entertainment said Monday. The LP of 10 songs is slated to be released on May 18, including the titular experimental hip-hop tune. Spanning genres, Taeyong will articulate a range of feelings. Side track “Mermaid,” unveiled in advance at a solo concert in January, is a heartfelt confession toward his fans. From Saturday to May 18, an exhibition in celebration of the album drop will run in Seoul, and on Saturday an