[REVIEW] NCT 127 delivers magnificent Seoul start to world tour

By Pyo Kyung-min

"Ttara bulleo!" (Sing along!)

Deafening roars filled Gocheok Sky Dome last weekend, as the six members of K-pop band NCT 127 took the stage, commanding one of Seoul's largest concert venues with their iconic chant.

The electrifying moment marked the start of the group's fourth world tour, "NEO CITY – THE MOMENTUM," with its Seoul leg, spanning two sold-out nights over the weekend, leaving 37,000 fans completely breathless.

This concert was more than just a routine stop for NCT 127 — it marked the band’s first major performance in Korea in over a year, and for the first time in its eight years together, the group performed with a leaner, six-member lineup.

Members Taeyong and Jaehyun are currently fulfilling mandatory military service, while ex-member Taeil disgracefully departed last year amid sexual assault allegations. With only Doyoung, Mark, Yuta, Johnny, Jungwoo and Haechan taking the stage, some had wondered if the group could still deliver its trademark energy.

By its final Sunday performance, NCT 127 silenced these lingering doubts, living up to its mantra of "no mediocre performances." Delivering a show of pure talent and chemistry, six were enough to reaffirm the group's well-earned global reputation.

Dressed in charismatic black agent-inspired outfits, NCT 127 opened the night with a powerful sequence, including "Gas," "Faster," "Bring The Noise" and "2 Baddies," as well as a lift-enhanced performance of "Skyscraper" and the laser-filled production of "Chain." The impressive choreography, accompanied by a troupe of dancers, set the tone for an electrifying night.

Pausing to catch their breath, the six members addressed the ecstatic crowd.

"It's already the final night, and I'm ready to give my all," Jungwoo said, drawing cheers. Doyoung chimed in to reflect on the surreal experience: "Filling up such a massive venue feels like a dream."

The absence of its members did little to diminish the vocal depth of NCT 127's performance. Tracks like "Designer," "Orange Seoul" and "TOUCH" saw remaining members seamlessly take on parts originally sung by their bandmates, adding fresh dynamics to familiar hits.

Stage production reached new heights with standout moments like "Rain Drop," featuring illuminated umbrella choreography, and "Gold Dust," where lasers transformed the dome ceiling into a starlit sky.

The setlist was a mix of classics and surprises, thrilling fans with hits like "Regular," "Sticker," "Kick It," "Fact Check" and "Walk," as well as the first live performances of "No Clue," "Pricey" and "Can't Help Myself." Fans' voices echoed through the dome the entire performance, singing along passionately to every word.

Absent members Jaehyun and Taeyong also made their presence felt through prerecorded features, with Jaehyun appearing in two VCRs that delighted fans, and Taeyong's voice cameo also elicited emotional responses from the crowd.

Members of NCT DREAM, another unit of the NCT umbrella, were also spotted in the audience, supporting its labelmates.

The encore capped a memorable night with "Meaning of Love," "Dreams Come True" and "Promise You," rounding out a three-hour, 26-song extravaganza.

Before bidding farewell, the members shared heartfelt reflections.

"We've made it here, and being together with all of you reminds me how far we've come. I'll carry this memory with me forever," Johnny said, expressing amazement. Admitting to preshow nerves, Haechan also expressed, "This performance was so important to us, and it was my bandmates who made it possible to deliver something unforgettable."

Doyoung, reflecting on performing "Kick It," shared, "Looking at my members, I realized I could do this forever. With them, I feel fearless about the future of our music. I truly love my members." He added, "Please continue to support us for a long, long time."

Having kicked off its world tour with an unforgettable Seoul performance, NCT 127 will bring their energy to 14 cities, including Jakarta, Bangkok, Duluth, Newark, Toronto, Rosemont, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Osaka, Taipei, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Macau.