Universe (NCT Album)

''Universe'' is the third studio album and ninth album overall by South Korean boy band NCT. It was released on December 14, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Similar to their previous releases ''NCT 2018 Empathy'' and ''NCT 2020 Resonance'', ''NCT 2021 Universe'' is part of "NCT 2021" project; which saw all current NCT members from several units collaborating on a full-length release. This time, the album features 21 out of 23 members from three current units of NCT; NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV. Members Lucas and Winwin were unable to participate.

Background and release

On November 13, 2021, it was announced that NCT would reunite for a third time as NCT 2021 following their second full group project, ''NCT 2020 Resonance'', in 2020. Five teaser videos, titled "NCT 2021 YearDream" and each labeled from Stage 0 through Stage 4, were released between November 21 and November 29. NCT groups NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV were confirmed to participate in ''Universe'', with WayV's Winwin and Lucas being absent from the project. NCT released track videos for "Dreaming", "Miracle", and "Earthquake", by NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT 127, respectively. The music video for "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" was released on December 10. The music video for "Beautiful" was released alongside the album itself on December 14.

Commercial performance

''Universe'' surpassed more than 1.7 million pre-orders on the day of release, breaking their previous record of 1.1 million pre-orders for '' NCT 2020 Resonance Pt.1''

Accolades

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from Naver and QQ Music.

* Rick Bridgesvocal director , background vocals
* GDLOvocal director
* Ju Chan-yang (Pollen)vocal director , background vocals
* G-highvocal director
* Seo Mi-rae (Butterfly)vocal director , pro tools operator
* Ju Dae-gwanvocal director , pro tools operator
* Nodayvocal director , background vocals
* minGtionvocal director , piano , bass , recording , digital editing
* Jisoo Parkvocal director , background vocals
* Yoo Young-jinvocal director , background vocals , digital editing , engineered for mix , mixing
* NCTvocals, background vocals
** Taeilvocals , background vocals
** Johnnyvocals , background vocals
** Taeyongvocals , background vocals
** Yutavocals , background vocals
** Kunvocals , background vocals
** Doyoungvocals , background vocals
** Tenvocals , background vocals
** Jaehyunvocals , background vocals
** Jungwoovocals , background vocals
** Markvocals , background vocals , rap making
** Xiaojunvocals , background vocals
** Henderyvocals , background vocals
** Renjunvocals , background vocals
** Jenovocals , background vocals
** Haechanvocals , background vocals
** Jaeminvocals , background vocals
** Yangyangvocals , background vocals
** Shotarovocals , background vocals
** Sungchanvocals , background vocals
** Chenlevocals , background vocals
** Jisungvocals , background vocals

* Junnybackground vocals
* Ebenezerbackground vocals
* Kenziebackground vocals
* Oiaislebackground vocals
* MarcLobackground vocals
* Dwillybackground vocals
* Justin Starlingbackground vocals
* Jeffrey Okyere-Twumasibackground vocals
* Adrian McKinnonbackground vocals
* No Min-jirecording , digital editing, engineered for mix
* Kang Eun-jirecording , digital editing, engineered for mix
* Lee Min-gyurecording , mixing , engineered for mix
* Jung Yu-rarecording , engineered for mix , digital editing
* Xu Tian Hongrecording
* On Seong-yunrecording
* Jung Ho-jindigital editing
* Kwon Yu-jindigital editing , recording
* Lee Ji-hongengineered for mix , mixing
* Jung Ui-seokmixing
* Nam Gung-jinmixing
* Kim Cheol-sunmixing

Locations

Recording
* SM Yellow Tail Studio
* SM SSAM Studio
* SM Big Shot Studio
* SM Starlight Studio
* doobdoob studio
* Studio21A
* sound POOL Studios
* SM BOOMINGSYSTEM

Editing
* SM Yellow Tail Studio
* SM SSAM Studio
* doobdoob Studio
* sound POOL Studios
* SM Starlight Studio
* SM BOOMINGSYSTEM

Mixing
* SM Blue Cup Studio
* SM Blue Ocean Studio
* SM SSAM Studio
* SM Concert Hall Studio
* SM Big Shot Studio
* SM LVYIN Studio
* SM Starlight Studio
* SM BOOMINGSYSTEM

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certification and sales

References

{{NCT (band)

NCT (band) albums
SM Entertainment albums
Korean-language albums
2021 albums