NCT Dream Garner Sweet Success with Winter Release “Candy”
Forget frosted sugar cookies or hot chocolate drinks, NCT Dream brought something even sweeter just in time for the holiday season: Candy, a special winter mini-album with the title track sharing the same sugary name. “Candy” is a remake of a quintessential first generation K-Pop song released by legendary boy band H.O.T in 1996. NCT Dream’s reinterpretation of the classic gives just the right amount of nostalgia with a more modern arrangement and showcases the septet’s bright, bubblegum image that fans have come to know and love.
The Dreamies are no stranger to tackling and nailing the late ‘90s/early 2000s sound, proven by past successful comebacks such as “Glitch Mode” and “Beatbox.” Title track “Candy” starts off with nostalgic record-scratch sounds and a familiar melodic introduction that instantly takes one back in time. The music video is as fun and playful as the inherently catchy song, with scenes of the boys dancing and playing around in a bright pink candy factory, in a house decked in Christmas decorations, and at an arcade, all while rocking eccentric winter clothing that is a visual nod to H.O.T as well.
It is not an easy feat to remake such an iconic song, but 7DREAM exceeded expectations, and it certainly paid off as they garnered significant success with this comeback. The physical album surpassed an impressive two million copies in preorders, breaking their previous records. With title track “Candy,” NCT Dream became one of only three boy groups to reach No. 1 on MelOn TOP100 in 2022, alongside BTS and BIGBANG. The song also marked the first of any NCT song to surpass 200K 24hrs ULs on MelOn. What an amazing early Christmas present to the boys and their fandom!
The rest of the album offers a cohesive winter feel with five warm and tender B-sides. “Graduation” is a soft R&B track with the group’s honey-like vocals on full display, and “Tangerine Love (Favorite)” is a groovy synth-pop bop with retro influences. Who needs traditional Christmas carols when “Take My Breath” exists? Co-written by Mark, the mid-tempo track features thumping yet festive beats and is sure to bring joy to the world (pun intended!). Slowing things down as we descend in the tracklist, “Moon” is a piano ballad with stunning vocal performances by the members to give off that cozy feeling of being around the fireplace on a cold winter night. Ending the six-track winter album is snappy and funky “Walk With You.”
In the spirit of the holiday, join NCT Dream in their candy-filled winter wonderland by watching the serotonin-booster “Candy” music video, and give the seven members lots of love by checking out their Winter Special Mini-Album on Spotify and Apple Music!
Edited by Rashelle B.