NCT 127 returns strong with fifth album 'Fact Check'

K-pop boy band NCT 127, under SM Entertainment, faced difficulties and uncertainties this year but remained united. Its fifth full-length album, "Fact Check," reflects the members' resolution and passion amid the challenges.

Members of boy band NCT 127 pose for photos during a press conference held on Friday at the Conrad Seoul hotel in western Seoul for its fifth full-length album ″Fact Check.″ [NEWS1]

Things have been tough for SM Entertainment this year, and it was no exception for boy band NCT 127. But a seven-year relationship built on trust was what got the members through the turbulence, according to leader Taeyong.

“To be honest, this year proved to be a time of complicated thoughts for everyone, for every member,” he said to reporters during a press conference held Friday morning, prior to the release of NCT 127’s fifth full-length album “Fact Check” at 1 p.m.

“There were difficulties and temptations, and there were even moments when I thought I would never find my way again,” Taeyong said. “But what made me feel that NCT 127 is in fact NCT 127 is that we are all here, together as a group.”

The band’s agency SM Entertainment had faced some of the steepest uphill battles in its history: a battle between HYBE and Kakao to acquire a majority stake in the K-pop company, the ousting of its founder Lee Soo-man thereafter, and a legal battle between its own artists Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin of boy band EXO.

Member Taeil suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident last August and did not participate in Friday’s event. Other artists at SM Entertainment have also been taking short breaks due to mental health issues.

All other matters have been settled, but months of uncertainties surrounding the company and its fellow artists inevitably took a toll on the remaining constituents.

Members of boy band NCT 127 pose for photos during a press conference held on Friday at the Conrad Seoul hotel in western Seoul for its fifth full-length album ″Fact Check.″ [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

“It’s true that we came across a lot of thoughts, especially given all the years we’ve been together,” Doyoung said. “But that being said, ‘Fact Check’ really is our own resolution and an album to show our passion, especially at a time like this. Having chosen ‘Fact Check’ as the title song is also meaningful in that sense, because we were all determined to show what we do best.”

“This album embodies the seven years of our passion, and we hope you can see that,” added the singer.

“Fact Check” is the boy band’s first album in Korean since the release of its fourth full-length repackage album “Ay-Yo” last January. Its fourth full-length album “2 Baddies” came out in September last year.

The latest nine-track album and its fast-tempo title track are a way to “fact check how good we are as performers,” according to Jaehyun. The title track carries the electro-synth rhythm iconic of the group, but with a trendier sound aimed at catching listeners’ ears.

Boy band NCT 127

The music video was shot at three different locations in Seoul — Gyeongbok Palace, Cheonggye Arcade and the IFC Mall — and is aimed at showing the best that the capital city has to offer, according to the members.

“Our essence has always been in Seoul,” Mark said. “We've been going with that theme since our debut and to do it again just felt right for us. We also wore hanbok and tried other things to maximize our identity.”

“I think it would be great if foreign fans saw our music video then came to Korea and realized those were the places where we shot our music videos,” Doyoung said. “I think this could be an opportunity for us to promote Seoul to our NCTzen [fan club name] overseas.”

NCT 127 is currently preparing a concert, but details were not disclosed during Friday’s event. But all members hoped to travel far and wide given the circumstances, they said.

“I love touring,” Jungwoo said. “We haven’t had the chance to tour around Europe much, so I hope we get to go there. I would love to see the different fan cultures. But really, I would just like to go anywhere — and lots of it!”

Members of boy band NCT 127 (from left) Johnny, Haechan, Mark, Jaehyun and Taeyong, pose for photos during a press conference held on Friday at the Conrad Seoul hotel in western Seoul for its fifth full-length album ″Fact Check.″ [NEWS1]

NCT 127 will hold “A Night of Festival” to celebrate the release of “Fact Check” at the Sampyo Remicon’s former headquarters near Seoul Forest in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, on Friday at 8 p.m.

A pop-up store will open on Saturday at the Hyundai Department Store in Mokdong, western Seoul, running until Oct. 20. The store will be themed on an art exhibition, which is also a key idea of the album, according to SM Entertainment.

NCT, the parent group of NCT 127, is currently holding the “NCT Stadium Live ‘NCT Nation: To The World-in Japan” tour around sports stadiums in Japan. The boy band attracted more than 110,000 concertgoers to its two-day concert held in Osaka last weekend. The tour wrapped up with concerts in Tokyo on Sept. 16 and 17.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]