Ask any K-pop fan what their favorite songs of 2023 so far are, and “Perfume” will likely be on the list. The sultry track, with its delicate falsettos and groovy bass, immediately captivated listeners — NCTzens or not — when it dropped in April. The group behind the earworm is NCT DOJAEJUNG, the newest unit from K-pop phenom NCT.
NCT DOJAEJUNG, consisting of DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, and JUNGWOO, may have only debuted a few months ago. But they’re already making waves in K-pop. The #PerfumeChallenge continues to trend on TikTok, with artists and fans performing the choreography to JAEHYUN’s iconic lines: “Yeah, yeah, that’s me 짙은 농도에.” And while love songs are nothing new within K-pop, “Perfume” stands out for its boldly sexy tone — the track is a declaration of wanting to leave one’s scent on a lover. And the song is only one of six on NCT DOJAEJUNG’s mini album “Perfume.” The debut project features more meditations on romance, and tracks that span genres from R&B to funk.
So who exactly are DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, and JUNGWOO, and what is NCT, the larger group they’re a part of? Here’s everything to know about NCT DOJAEJUNG.
The basics of NCT
The structure of NCT — short for Neo Culture Technology — is one of the most complicated in K-pop. The South Korean group from SM Entertainment originated with the concept of having a limitless number of members, who are placed into one or more units. The first to debut was NCT U, a rotational unit that has a different lineup for each comeback (other groups mostly have fixed members). DOYOUNG and JAEHYUN were both part of the initial NCT U ensemble that released “The 7th Sense” in April 2016, which means they are two of the members who have been in NCT the longest.
Since then, a number of NCT units have launched. NCT 127, described as the Seoul-based group — 127 is the longitude of the city — debuted in July 2016. JAEHYUN was the only one in NCT DOJAEJUNG who was a part of the initial lineup. DOYOUNG joined NCT 127 in 2017, followed by JUNGWOO in 2018. Other units that have formed include NCT Dream, which began as a collective of the teen members in NCT, and the Chinese group WayV. SM Entertainment also announced earlier this year that “NCT’s infinite expansion is scheduled to end” in 2023. The final unit will be a group tentatively called NCT Tokyo, who are scheduled to debut later in the year.
When did NCT DOJAEJUNG form?
NCT DOJAEJUNG is NCT’s fifth unit. The group launched on April 17, 2023, and the music video for “Perfume” has gained 23 million views to date. This is not the first time members DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, and JUNGWOO worked closely together — all three artists have been a part of NCT 127 for years now. And it’s hard to count the milestones NCT 127 has achieved even within the period of 2018, when Jungwoo joined the unit, to now.
In 2020, NCT 127’s second studio album Neo Zone reached No. 5. on the Billboard 200. They were one of the first K-pop groups to make a top five entry on this chart. A year later, their third studio album Sticker performed even better and hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200. And when their 2022 release 2 Baddies once again reached No. 3 on the same chart, NCT 127 became only the second K-pop group at the time, besides BTS, to have three albums debut in the top 5 of the Billboard 200. Across their releases, the group has become known for their experimental sound that features soaring vocals, noisy instrumentals, and instantly addictive chants (insert “let me introduce you to some new thangs” and “2 Baddies 2 Baddies 1 Porsche.”)
Who are the members
of NCT DoJaeJung?
DOYOUNG, 27
DOYOUNG has been a member of NCT since the first year it was formed. In every unit he releases music in, his vocals are a highlight. DOYOUNG’s honeyed voice is a treat whether he’s belting high notes or singing in falsetto. You can get a taste from the many pop song covers he’s released, from the more produced one of Harry Styles’ “Falling” to a casual video of him singing Billie Eilish’s “wish you were gay” and “bad guy” by a bed.
JAEHYUN, 26
JAEHYUN wears many hats: He’s known for his singing, songwriting — don’t miss his solo track “Forever Only” — rapping, and dancing skills. Like DOYOUNG, he has been a NCT member since its first year in 2016. As someone who’s lived in Connecticut, Jaehyun is often speaking English on NCT 127’s world tours. The star is also building up an acting resume — he previously starred in the series Dear.M, and was recently announced to be making his feature film debut in You Will Die In 6 Hours.
JUNGWOO, 25
JUNGWOO may have joined NCT later than the other two members, but his stage presence is undeniable. Anyone who watched his enchanting solo performance on NCT 127’s tour Neo City — The Link knows what I’m talking about. JUNGWOO is a versatile performer with serious singing and dancing chops. He’s been a part of major releases across NCT U and NCT 127 since 2018, and is also loved by fans for regularly delivering moments of comedic gold.
You can watch NCT DOJAEJUNG’s “Perfume” below.
