"NCT 127", the pioneering sub-unit of the renowned South Korean boy band NCT under the management of SM Entertainment, marked their debut on July 7, 2016, with the release of their debut extended play, "NCT #127." Initially comprising seven members—Taeil, Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, and Haechan—the group evolved with the addition of Doyoung and Johnny in December 2016, just before their second EP, "Limitless." The final member, Jungwoo, joined the ranks in September 2018, ahead of their inaugural studio album, "Regular-Irregular."
Known for their distinctive musical style dubbed "neo music," a fusion of experimental hip hop, NCT 127 quickly gained domestic recognition in 2017 with the release of "Cherry Bomb," a track that has since become a signature piece. The turning point for international acclaim came in 2020 with the release of "Kick It," propelling them into the global spotlight.
In response to their escalating global popularity, SM Entertainment secured strategic marketing and distribution partnerships with Capitol Music Group and Caroline Distribution in April 2019. This collaboration paved the way for the release of the EP "We Are Superhuman" and the group's second Korean studio album, "Neo Zone," in 2020. The latter not only marked their first top-five entry on the US Billboard 200 but also achieved the milestone of selling over one million copies.
Continuing their meteoric rise, NCT 127's third Korean studio album, "Sticker," released in 2021, shattered records by becoming the best-selling album under SM Entertainment, with 3.58 million copies sold. The album's success earned the group the prestigious Daesang award at the 31st Seoul Music Awards. Additionally, "Sticker" debuted at an impressive number three on the Billboard 200, solidifying its status as the longest and highest-charting K-pop album in the United States in 2021.
In 2022, NCT 127 maintained their momentum with the release of their fourth Korean studio album, "2 Baddies," which sold 3.2 million copies and secured their position as the second K-pop act to have three consecutive albums debut in the top five of the Billboard 200, further establishing NCT 127 as a powerhouse in the global music scene.
