“The fourth regular album is, in a word, hope and refreshing dream.” (Jeno) NCT Dream will release their fourth regular album ‘DREAMSCAPE’ on the 11th. SM Entertainment shared the members’ thoughts on their comeback, the new album’s production process, and the messages in the songs.

Mark started by saying, “The members participated a lot in the work,” adding, “It seems like an album was born that is very NCT Dream but with a new color. I’m very excited for the activities.” The new album tells stories of youth. It sings messages of comfort and empathy.

The members escape from a dark reality to an ideal dream space and unravel the stories in a total of 11 songs. Renjun explained, “We depicted the story of escaping a dark world and heading towards a bright world like a fairy tale,” adding, “We want to deliver the message of ‘Let’s live in a brighter world!’”

The narrative continues from the previous work ‘Dream Escape.’ Haechan noted, “From the planning stage, it was prepared by splitting into two albums. We were able to showcase a variety of stories and musical colors.” For about a year, the project was in progress.

Jisung stated, “An idea to connect the album’s story emerged at the first production meeting,” adding, “We have been preparing steadily since July last year.” The title track is ‘When I’m With You,’ a house-based electronic pop song. The lyrics express the feeling of being enchanted by ‘you’ in the ‘dreamscape.’

Mark shared his first impression of the song: “It felt like it had mass appeal!” adding, “It’s a refreshing yet public-friendly song that matches well with NCT Dream, so I had high expectations.” Lastly, the members delivered messages to their fans. Haechan said, “I hope the fans will welcome back the refreshing Dream after a long time,” and Chenle added, “Let’s create a lot of memories.”

<Below is a Q&A related to the fourth regular album by NCT DREAM>

Q: It’s already the fourth regular album. How do you feel about releasing the fourth regular album?

Mark: I think it’s a very exciting album! With the members participating a lot, it seems like an album was born that adds new colors while being very NCT Dream. I’m very much looking forward to the activities.

Jeno: It feels exciting to be making a comeback after a long time, and it’s both amazing and surprising that we’re releasing our fourth regular album already.

Q: What kind of album is the fourth regular album? If there’s a message you want to convey with this album?

Renjun: We depicted the story of escaping a dark world and heading towards a bright world like a fairy tale. We want to deliver the message of ‘Let’s live in a brighter world!’

Jaemin: ‘DREAMSCAPE’ is a wonderful album that beautifully concludes a long journey of one year. I hope many people feel happy listening to this album. (Laughs)

Q: This album continues from the previous ‘DREAM( )SCAPE.’ Was the concept of having two albums planned from the initial stage? How was the preparation process?

Haechan: Yes, we prepared by dividing it into two albums from the planning stage. While it’s good to have all the stories in one album, I thought we could deliver richer stories through two consecutive works. By storytelling contrasting themes like pain and suffering in reality and freedom and joy in an ideal world, I think we were able to show a variety of stories and musical colors.

Jisung: An idea to connect the album’s story emerged at the first production meeting. So we have been preparing steadily since July last year, and it feels like a project over a year has finally been completed.

Q: What was your first impression when you heard the title track ‘When I’m With You’?

Mark: I thought it had mass appeal! (Laughs) It’s a refreshing and public-friendly song that matches well with NCT Dream, so I had high expectations.

Jaemin: Among the title candidates, I thought this song suited NCT Dream from the beginning. I thought the fans would be waiting for NCT Dream’s refreshing music.

Q: What charms of NCT DREAM are you planning to show with the title track ‘When I’m With You’?

Chenle: I think we can show the charm of a more grown-up NCT Dream. It has a fresher and more sophisticated refreshingness than before!

Jisung: I think we can show NCT Dream’s unique charm that is neither just cute nor just cool.

Q: Are there any reactions you hope to get from the new album?

Haechan: I hope the fans will welcome back the refreshing Dream after a long time!

Jaemin: First and foremost, I hope the fans will like it, and it would be great to hear, “It’s an album that feels like NCT Dream.” (Laughs)

Q: If you could express this album in one word?

Renjun: Refreshing like NCT Dream

Jeno: Hope and refreshing dream

Q: It’s near the end of your third world tour. You’ve met fans in 25 regions worldwide. What did you learn and feel?

Mark: I realize with every tour that a wonderful performance is made possible thanks to all the efforts and help of the staff around us. I also felt once again that it was possible because the members were together. Above all, I felt we could perform across many regions worldwide thanks to the precious fans.

Chenle: It was deeply touching to see the fans worldwide enjoying and being happy with our stage. I felt once again that we communicate through music, and thanks to that, it was a meaningful time for us to enjoy the stage more and interact with the fans.

Q: Now, you have the Seoul encore concert left. What should fans look out for?

Jeno: New songs will be added, and it looks like it will be a performance where not only the group but also the individual members’ charms stand out.

Jisung: You’ll be able to see an upgraded stage compared to the first concert. We are working hard to create an even better concert by improving upon the regrettable points at the Seoul performance, so please look forward to it!

Q: Lastly, could you say a word to the fans?

Mark: I always want to tell the fans that NCT Dream is always by their side. We’ll be a Dream that protects your happiness, always makes you smile, and moves you! Thank you so much for your support, and let’s enjoy the activities together with ‘When I’m With You’!

Renjun: Just as your support gives us strength, NCT Dream will also try to be supportive to you. Please look forward to the fourth regular album.

Jeno: Thank you for waiting for so long. Please fully enjoy the refreshing Dream you’ve been waiting for in this album. (Laughs)

Haechan: I hope this album also becomes good music that is always with you. I hope we can always have fun and be happy together.

Jaemin: Always thank you for being with NCT Dream, and I will strive to give back as much love as we receive from you. Let’s keep going together!

Chenle: Thank you to the fans who always support us, and I’m really looking forward to this promotion. Let’s create many memories together in the future!

Jisung: From the March ‘DREAM( )SCAPE’ album to this ‘DREAMSCAPE’ album and the world tour, 2024 was so happy because we were with the fans. Let’s enjoy the remaining time and finish it well, and let’s start 2025 energetically together!

<Photo Courtesy=SM Entertainment>