NCT Wish, who has risen as the best rookie of 2024, celebrates their 1st anniversary today (21st).
Having taken their first exciting step at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, NCT Wish has firmly established their unique color of ‘Refreshing & Neo’ to fans around the world, expressing their ambition to support everyone’s wishes and dreams through music and love.
The six members, Shion, Riku, Yuushi, Jaehwi, Ryo, and Sakuya, have created a unique sentiment as ‘Gen Z icons’ with their refreshing visuals, positive charm, diverse and vibrant content, and trendy styling.
With their first mini-album ‘Steady’ released last September, which won rookie awards at various ceremonies, NCT Wish is poised for a bigger leap in 2025, using the past year as a stepping stone.
Below is the full Q&A with NCT Wish
Q1. It’s your 1st anniversary since debut. How do you feel?
- Shion: I can’t believe a year has already passed; time has flown by so quickly. Based on last year’s experiences, I’m really looking forward to having more fun activities this year and sharing even better music.
- Riku: I sincerely thank all the fans (known as ‘Czennies’) who have loved us for a year and everyone who has helped us along the way. I want to create many fun and happy memories with the members and Czennies in the future. We will work even harder in 2025!
- Yuushi: I’m so happy and excited to celebrate our 1st anniversary. I’m looking forward to the new things we will create together with the members and Czennies. I will stay healthy and happy this year!
- Jaehwi: It has been a time of learning and new experiences over the past year. I will continue to strive to grow as an artist who can share more diverse music!
- Ryo: This year felt both short and long as I experienced so much. I’m especially grateful to Czennies for making this year so happy, and I will show you a more grown-up version of myself through wonderful activities this year.
- Sakuya: 2024 has been a year filled with learning, joy, and happiness. It has been an important time for us, and based on those experiences, I believe we can show an even more wonderful side this year!
Q2. What has been the most memorable activity or moment since your debut?
- Shion: I remember the moment we performed our debut song ‘WISH’ on our first music show. The atmosphere in the waiting room at dawn, filled with tension and excitement as we prepared for the pre-recording, is still vividly etched in my memory.
- Sakuya: I also remember the music show activities for ‘WISH’. Everything was new and exciting since it was our first appearance, and those moments felt fun and special.
Q3. What do you feel has been your biggest growth as a team or individually over the past year?
- Riku: As we’ve run together towards the same dream and goal, the team has become stronger and closer. I’m looking forward to growing into an even more amazing team with the members this year!
- Jaehwi: The variety of what we can show on stage has increased, and my friendship with the members has deepened, which is really meaningful. Personally, I feel that I’m getting faster at accepting direction during recordings, and I’m proud to see how much I’ve grown. (laughs)
Q3. While receiving praise for your energetic performances that embody ‘NCT is NCT’ within refreshing music, you are also recognized as a team that continues the pure and dreamy lineage of SM. What is the secret to building your unique team color? How do you feel when you receive such compliments?
- Jaehwi: I believe that the sparkling sentiment unique to NCT Wish shines even brighter when the six members come together, each with their own individuality. Many staff members help highlight our charm, which makes the team’s color even clearer. Above all, we try to show our natural selves both on stage and in daily life, and I think this is an important factor in creating NCT Wish’s unique color. Every time we receive such compliments, I feel grateful that even though it’s only been a year since our debut, our own color is gradually taking shape. I sincerely thank Czennies for loving us as we are.
Q4. You have gained significant attention for skillfully utilizing shorts and challenges, earning the title of ‘Gen Z icons’. Do you have any tips for planning fun content and enjoying the filming process?
- Yuushi: We look for videos that suit us well or share ideas about content we want to try. Most importantly, we genuinely enjoy and are happy during the filming moments, so that energy naturally gets captured in the videos. I think that’s why fans feel our joyful atmosphere and enjoy it!
- Sakuya: When filming, I try to enjoy it casually, like playing with friends, rather than feeling pressured to do well. As a result, our natural vibe shines through, and many people seem to like that.
Q5. In 2024, you earned the title of ‘Best Rookie’. What is another goal you want NCT Wish to achieve in 2025?
- Shion: This year, I want to share songs that capture NCT Wish’s beautiful sentiment through more polished music and activities. I will do my best to let more people know our unique color and make this year one where more people can join us with NCT Wish!
- Riku: In 2025, I want to receive more love through good music and activities. But above all, what I desire most is to create many happy moments with the members and share precious time with Czennies. If we can have more of those moments, I would be truly grateful.
- Ryo: I want to grow more and hold many wonderful concerts. My biggest goal this year is to enhance my skills to present the best stage to Czennies and create performances that leave no regrets when they end.
Q6. Please say a word to Czennies who continue to send unwavering love and support.
- Shion: Thanks to Czennies, we can freely pursue our dreams and feel happiness every time we stand on stage. I sincerely thank you for your constant support. This year, we will come back with a more grown-up version of ourselves, with a beautiful album and stage that captures NCT Wish’s sentiment, so please look forward to it. I love you.
- Riku: Thanks to the love you give us, Czennies, I always gain great strength. I will also become someone who can return that love. Thank you so much for always being with us!
- Yuushi: Thank you so much for watching over us and supporting us over the past year! I will do my best to repay you with even more wonderful appearances. Please look forward to it!
- Jaehwi: Thanks to Czennies who always cheer for us, I can find strength, and each day feels more precious. I hope that every moment we share with the six of us and Czennies will be filled with happiness, so let’s keep fighting together! I love you, Czennies~
- Ryo: Czennies, please stay with us for a long time! The time I spend with you is the most precious to me. This year, I will show you many wonderful and beautiful sides!
- Sakuya: I sincerely thank Czennies for their unwavering love and support so far. I hope we can walk together and create more memories in the future. Always grateful, and I love you!
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
