NCT Dream shows opposites attract in latest album 'ISTJ'

NCT Dream is back with its most unconventional love song yet, this time based on the infamous personality test that has been sweeping young Koreans. The boy band introduced its third full-length album “ISTJ” during a press conference at the Lotte ...

Boy band NCT Dream poses during the press conference for its third full-length album "ISTJ" on July 17 at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, southern Seoul. [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

NCT Dream is back with its most unconventional love song yet, this time based on the infamous personality test that has been sweeping young Koreans.

The boy band introduced its third full-length album “ISTJ” during a press conference at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil of Songpa District, southern Seoul. Seven years into their career, the seven members — Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Chenle, Jaemin and Jisung — sat down to talk about their latest eccentric concept.

Doyoung of NCT 127, another boy band under SM Entertainment’s NCT franchise, served as the event’s host.

“It was such an interesting challenge for us,” said Mark, the group’s eldest member and leader. “I think we’re the first [in K-pop] to sing about MBTI personality types and love. [Songwriter and lyricst] Kenzie suggested this fun concept to us.”

ISTJ is one of the 16 personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test, which can roughly be characterized as a rational, introverted and organized individual. According to the test, ENFP is the exact opposite personality type to ISTJ.

Concept photo for NCT Dream's ″ISTJ″ [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

“In the song, our love interest is an ISTJ, and we get into character as ENFPs,” Renjun said. “They’re the polar opposite. We wonder why they are so different from us, and yet we are drawn to them, trying to navigate our differences.”

In the music video, inspired by the ‘80s film series “Back to the Future,” the members depart from the real world into the “MBTI world” that finds members in colorful backdrops and bold outfits.

“From a hospital to a maze, I loved all the sets we had in the ‘ISTJ’ video,” Jaemin said. “We as a team always want to try out various fashion looks. The bold looks might be a bit confusing to look at at first, but the outfits suited each backdrop perfectly.”

“ISTJ” features a total of 10 tracks, and the band revealed snippets from three: “Blue Wave,” “SOS” and “Like We Just Met.”

The lyrics of “Blue Wave” continue from the story in NCT Dream’s 2021 hit “Dive Into You,” featuring summery pan flute sounds and fast-paced lyrics.

Concept photo for NCT Dream's ″ISTJ″ [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

“As a foreigner, I had a mental breakdown while recording ‘Blue Wave’ because the chorus is just too fast,” laughed Chinese member Renjun. He and another fellow Chinese member Chenle faced another challenge when all seven members decided to participate in writing the lyrics of “Like We Just Met,” a new track dedicated to NCT’s fandom NCTzens.

“Usually, the rappers of the band took part in lyric-writing,” Chenle said. “This time, we thought the seven of us should all write at least one track in the upcoming album. As it's my first time writing lyrics, and especially as a foreigner, I’m so proud of myself.”

Ironically, Renjun is famous in the K-pop scene as an idol star who has long refused to take the MBTI test despite most young Koreans raving at the trend. Members commented on the running joke, while humorously urging listeners not to take the MBTI tropes too seriously.

“I’ve never taken one,” Renjun said. “Each person is different, and I don’t want to confine myself to four letters. I look at everyone equally without prejudice.”

“Our song is titled ‘ISTJ,’ and the entire new concept revolves around the MBTI test, but never ever judge someone based on their MBTI type,” Jaemin laughed.

NCT Dream during the press conference for its third full-length album "ISTJ" on July 17 at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, southern Seoul. [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

Doyoung of boy band NCT 127 served as the host. [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

The septet also welcomed good news: As of Monday afternoon, the album surpassed over 4.2 million copies sold in pre-sales, a new high for the band.

“We’re so grateful to reach our career-high,” said Haechan. “We see good results because our fans love us. We always remind ourselves why they love us, and never forget to give that love back to NCTzens.”

“This year is our seventh anniversary, and you know how they say to never forget where you started from,” said Jisung, the group’s youngest. “I think the phrase is widely used because people usually lose the passion they had when they first began. But we want to keep pushing ourselves harder as time goes by, and I hope we keep seeing this positive development within us.”

To find out more about NCT Dream, visit Celeb Confirmed!

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