Before NCT’s “infinite” expansion comes to an end, the project has one more debut to unveil. NCT Wish is their first Japanese unit, though their track Wish has been released simultaneously in Korean. The immediate success of RIIZE has proven a hunger for SM Entertainment boy groups unencumbered from the NCT umbrella, but the brand remains strong.
My main issue with NCT is that the music has become so interchangeable between units. I can imagine exactly how an NCT song sounds and, more often than not, the final product matches that vision to a tee. NCT Wish has a brighter appeal than many of the units, which makes sense given their young age. But this doesn’t mean we’re heading back to the candy-coated halcyon days of debut-era NCT Dream. Wish has its melodic moments, but it’s just as often delivering the shouted chants we’re used to from NCT-style tracks.
The song is at its best when layering the guys’ voices in classic SM style over groovy hooks and brassy funk production. The chorus takes advantage of this tried-and-true formula, though the melodies don’t quite hit for me. For a dance track, Wish has a slightly reserved energy. Its beat bops consistently, but I keep expecting it to bound into something more daring. Its most bombastic moments are its “We are NCT Wish!” chants, which are unfortunately its most irritating parts as well.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It is like every NCT song and subgroup ever, the newer younger edition.
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Hey, this is kinda cute tho. The instrumental reminds me of the BGM of some wholesome, pixelated video game meant to be played in an idle manner (think Cats&Soup), especially the chorus.
The chanting can be a little annoying, I admit, but idk, it also doesn’t sound very shouty and in-your-face, which wouldn’t be ideal for a song like “Wish”. But hey, at least it isn’t the chorus 🤡 The song is basically NCT Dream’s pre-2018 sound, but more young adult-like (I consider their pre-2018 sound to be pre-teen like).
Kinda wished it had a bridge (unless Jaehee’s “yeah yeah yeah” counts as one, but I consider it as an outro-like thing). I can imagine the bridge being amazing and cute.
Ngl, expected you to rate it in 8s. But for me, it’s an 8.5 (8, 9, 8, 9).
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dollar store nct 127
rating is 7.75/10 for me
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A mediocre SM group debut😮Now I’ve seen it all.
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“My main issue with NCT is that the music has become so interchangeable between units.” Hey WayV’s still out there doing their own thing!
But I actually like this one. I don’t typically connect with Dream’s music, which would be the other unit aligned with this sound, but for some reason this one hits a little more for me. The instrumentation is really pleasing and I find the chorus just delightful. I think I read that this song was produced by BoA?
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I like it!! nothing crazy but that little groovy retro sample in the background is so good!
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It was cute, refreshing, and familiar enough for the NCT brand. Def hear some 90s influence. The chorus instrumental reminded me a bit of stuff I’ve heard in jap city pop. Solid 8/10
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more random ass white people
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Super random. In fact, the whole video is deeply weird and I’m not sure I understand it.
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is there a sample during the “NCT WISH” chant part? It sounds so familiar
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I actually really loved the song,specifically the Chorus.I don’t know what it is,but the way the vocals are layered and the way the beat distorts itself as the guys sing just gives me Goosebumps.I do think the melodies could be catcher but it sounded so weird thar I liked it.
For me it’s an 8.25(8,9,8,8).Pretty solid ngl
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