Everyone and their mother has had a pre-release this year, and NCT Wish are the latest to jump on the trend. Ahead of their new mini album, they’ve unveiled summer single Surf. Though we’re currently in the middle of a heat wave in my neck of the woods, it feels a bit late in the season to release a summer song. Yes, there are still weeks left to go until Autumn, but the days are already growing shorter.
Nonetheless, I will always appreciate a summer single. Once upon a time (in fact, almost exactly eight years ago today), Wish’s seniors NCT Dream released a full summer EP and Surf‘s freewheeling energy reminds me of songs like We Young. It’s an unabashedly retro sound, pulling from multiple decades of summer tropes to craft something that feels outside of time. We’ve got a bit of new jack swing, pinwheeling brass and wisps of synth strings. I love this instrumental. It has a classic appeal that sidesteps trends in a refreshing way.
The song itself is less engaging than the production, but I’m pleased that it largely forgoes the shout-chanting often favored by NCT units. Instead, the guys deliver featherweight melodies with equally fizzy execution. No melody stands out as particularly memorable, but this is one time I’m going to actually praise a song for its “vibes.” It’s hard to dislike something this buoyant and bright and my summer playlist is wide open for a song of this style.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s refreshing. It reminded me of first gen summer songs, ala S.E.S ‘Just in Love’. For me, it’s an 8.75. I read a comment also comparing it to Dream’s Dunk Shot, and they both have that ‘chill’ youthful energy.
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Oooh I love the first gen (summer) song comparison! Wish have went viral last year (and probs this year too) for their SBS Summer Gayo performances of Eusha Eusha (2024 perf) and A-ing (2025 perf).
The audience (or yourself at least) noticing that makes me satisfied how Wish team take into consideration on what makes them stand out!
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Nct wish, RIIZE and The Wind are the only boy groups I like, and I love summer songs so this hits the spot, the oversaturation, the 2000’s aesthetic the overly summery mv, it’s all just so good, and the song is so Funky!
9/10💕💕
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I allowed myself today to listen to, like…really listen to NCT Wish albums. They have some real gems there and everything is incredibly enjoyable, addictive even, with very little truly glaring missteps.
If I remember it well they were this another NCT side project (that no one really need it), but I think there is certain reliable quality in their music that – popularity wise (yes, I checked their sales) – pays off.
Production on this track is amazing! But I would argue that meldies are also very good, or at least they do not ruin what is happening in the background. I love it.
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The song craft does weird and interesting things, all sorts of theatrical turns like a jpop song would do, but make it bright themed summer kpop. With the SM level of production polish, and talent like NCT Wish has in spades, yeah its a good song. A keeper.
I agree on the vocals and melody for now – that nothing pops out on first listen as holy cow wow sing along perfection – but perhaps in the car it will hit different. We shall see, and hear.
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Am I the only one who thinks the mixing is bad and the chorus feels stuffy with no sense of climax at all?
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The only thing i didn’t give up on nct wish cause they have their own color, their concept and style. People say they should give up on cute style and rather get bold one. But I’m Disagree, They were so good with this concept i wish they stay on this for a few years.
Shout out to Stylist and Art creative director for making into this.
Their song so catchy and refreshing, really making me feel like i was in bali for summer holiday
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