They may have only debuted in the spring of 2016, but NCT’s unit-based, rotational nature has already provided enough singles for a top ten countdown. As SM Entertainment’s newest group, NCT offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of upbeat dance pop, experimental hip-hop/EDM, or soaring balladry, you’ll find at least one song to love here.
- Updated 2/3/19
Honorable Mentions:
Cherry Bomb (2016) – Spacey and angular, Cherry Bomb’s atonal hip-hop initially polarized. But in the end, its repetitive, attitude-infused hook won the day.
Touch (2018) – 127 are often seen as the enigmatic, hip-hop driven core of the NCT brand, but Touch yanked them into the pop world with its retro groove and wall of harmonies.
10. NCT U – The 7th Sense (2016)
A fan-favorite, and the first official song we heard from an NCT unit. The 7th Sense’s pendulous beat and languid, dreamlike melody feels like the perfect introduction to SM’s most experimental boy group. (full review)
9. NCT 127 – Fire Truck (2016)
Powered by its coarse, bass-driven instrumental, Fire Truck combines minimalist melody with a hypnotic bounce that grows more addictive as time went on. (full review)
8. NCT Dream – We Young (2017)
NCT’s youngest unit goes tropical with the upbeat We Young, offering a celebratory, brass-kissed soundtrack for the summer. (full review)
7. NCT 127 – Switch (2016)
Known to fans even before NCT’s debut, the slick dance-pop of Switch presents the group at their most melodic and accessible. Its swirling, synth-driven hook is among their strongest moments. (full review)
6. NCT U – Boss (2018)
Boss‘s bass-heavy hip-hop played to the strengths of NCT’s unlimited roster, offering a dynamic blend of rap and vocals with just enough icy 90’s r&b edge to make it feel like an instant K-pop classic. (full review)
5. NCT 127 – Limitless (2017)
Melding its grumbling, rough-edged hip-hop with an impressive, militaristic chorus, Limitless successfully fuses SM Entertainment’s old and new sounds, resulting in 127’s best single yet. (full review)
4. NCT Dream – Chewing Gum (2016)
Dream’s Chewing Gum offers a bright, catchy counterpart to NCT 127’s more experimental, hip-hop driven sound. In doing so, the song quickly became NCT’s most gleefully catchy piece of music, further enhanced by the group’s hoverboard-assisted performance. (full review)
3. NCT U – Baby Don’t Stop (2018)
Powered by only two members, Baby Don’t Stop oozes charisma, positioning every element — from vocal run to squeaky sample — as a vital cog in the percussive machine. (full review)
2. NCT Dream – My First & Last (2017)
If Chewing Gum introduced NCT Dream as a somewhat novelty-driven unit, the brilliant My First & Last reinvented them as purveyors of classic, throwback pop music. The impossibly sunny chorus and driving beat combine to forge moments of true k-pop perfection. (full review)
1. NCT U – Without You (2016)
Without You may not be the trendiest or most heavily-promoted of NCT’s songs, but its vocal and melodic bombast create a truly transformative piece of music. Jettisoning the group’s hip-hop influences completely, Without You surges on its gorgeous harmonies and soaring, anthemic chorus. (full review)
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I’ve been hoping for an update to this! Very glad Without You remains at the top, and pleasantly surprised MFAL hasn’t gone down. I’m surprised Touch didn’t make it over 7th Sense or Fire Truck though. Thanks for a great list!
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You’re welcome! I’m going to try to update more of these top ten lists as I can. Some are very outdated.
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