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We Go Up

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We Go Up
EP by
ReleasedSeptember 3, 2018 (2018-09-03)
Recorded2018
StudioSM Studios, Seoul, South Korea
Genre
Length19:00
Language
Label
NCT Dream chronology
We Young
(2017)
We Go Up
(2018)
We Boom
(2019)
NCT chronology
Chain
(2018)
We Go Up
(2018)
Regular-Irregular
(2018)
Singles from We Go Up
  1. "We Go Up"
    Released: September 3, 2018

We Go Up is the second extended play by South Korean–Chinese boy band NCT Dream, the third and teen-aged sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. Released by SM Entertainment on September 3, 2018 and distributed by iriver, the album contains five new Korean songs and a Mandarin version of the album's eponymous single, marking it their latest release to contain a Mandarin record.[1] The extended play was the unit's first major release to feature member Jaemin since their debut single "Chewing Gum" in August 2016; following his medical hiatus since early 2017. SM founder Lee Soo-man served as the EP's executive producer, with songwriters and producers such as Kenzie, MZMC, Bazzi, Mike Woods, Kevin White, August Rigo, The Stereotypes, Deez, Erik Lidbom, Cazzi Opeia, Anton Ewald, Simon Johansson, Sebastian Thott, and others participating in making the album. It was also their last release with the original seven-member line up, marking the graduation of member Mark in December 2018 as he reached the age of adulthood in South Korea.[2][3]

Upon its release, We Go Up enjoyed commercial success in both NCT Dream's native country and several international component charts. It was the unit's second chart-topper on the Gaon Album Chart, following their 2017 release The First, and eventually their first charting entry in Japan and United Kingdom, peaking at number eleven and ninety-seven on the Oricon Albums Chart and the Album Downloads component chart, respectively. The extended play also attained success in the United States, becoming their second top-five entry on the Billboard World Albums chart, peaking at number five on its first charting week. The group went on to promote the extended play's eponymous lead single through various South Korean television music programs, and has since performed the title track on all of their headlining concerts, namely The Dream Show and their Beyond LIVE concert in May 2020.[4]

Background and release

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Originally debuted as a septet in August 2016 with the digital single "Chewing Gum", NCT Dream actively promoted as a sextet instead since February 1, 2017 due to member Jaemin's medical hiatus.[5][6] Jaemin eventually rejoined the unit for their parental group's 2018 project Empathy single, titled "Go", which saw the group transitioning from their "youthful" image to a more "rebellious" and "defiant" approach in both music and image.[7] SM Entertainment eventually announced the group would release a new extended play in September 2018, later revealed to be We Go Up. The label further stated that member Mark would "graduate" from the unit following the EP's release in December 2018, due to him turning 19 by the time, thus reaching the age of adulthood in South Korea.[8][9] An accompanying music video for the eponymous lead single was released on August 30, 2018, four days prior to the extended play's release.[10][11] The EP's package came in a singular version with a CD containing all six songs, a photo booklet and several collectibles for fans.[12]

Composition

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We Go Up contains five new songs recorded in Korean by the unit, while its eponymous track received a Mandarin version as the closing track. The lead single "We Go Up" is described as a "retro vibe", urban hip hop track that saw the members singing about team spirit, containing "tinny" percussion and "booming" bass line along with the group "serv[ing] up swaggering raps and harmonious vocals".[13] It was written by SM songwriter Kenzie and member Mark, whom went on to co-write three additional tracks in the album, while the former also worked with producer MZMC, singer-songwriter Bazzi, Mike Woods, and Kevin White on the song's production.[14] Along with Mark, member Jeno, Jaemin and Jisung also took part in writing the lyrics for "Dear Dream", a hip-hop and pop song that memorizes the graduation of Mark from the sub-unit.[15] The unit also worked with American production team The Stereotypes and Canadian musician August Rigo on the track "1, 2, 3", a funky R&B and dance-pop track that sings about falling for a new crush.[16]

Chart performance

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The album entered Billboard's World Albums chart at No. 5, and Heatseekers Albums chart at No.7; which marks NCT Dream's best sales week in America to date.[17]

NCT Dream Show

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NCT Dream Show was NCT Dream's music variety show. It focused on NCT’s concept, which is sympathizing through dreaming and becoming one through music.[18]

First Show

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Date City Country Venue
September 28, 2018 Seoul South Korea SMTOWN Coex Artium, SMTOWN Theatre
September 29, 2018
September 30, 2018

Second Show

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Date City Country Venue
December 1, 2018 Seoul South Korea SMTOWN Coex Artium, SMTOWN Theatre
December 2, 2018
December 3, 2018
December 4, 2018
December 5, 2018

Track listing

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We Go Up track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."We Go Up"Rice N' Peas3:03
2."1, 2, 3"Hwang Yoo-binThe Stereotypes3:01
3."Beautiful Time" (Korean너와 나; RRNeowa Na; lit. You and Me)
Erik Lidbom [simple; ja]3:27
4."Drippin'"
Moonshine3:17
5."Dear Dream"
3:09
6."We Go Up" (Chinese version; Chinese: 青春接力; pinyin: Qīngchūn Jiēlì; lit. 'Youth Relay')Zhou Weijie
  • MZMC
  • Andrew Bazzi (Rice N' Peas)
  • Mike Woods (Rice N' Peas)
  • Kevin White (Rice N' Peas)
  • Kenzie
Rice N' Peas3:03
Total length:19:00

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for We Go Up
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[26] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release history and formats for We Go Up
Region Date Format Label
South Korea September 3, 2018 CD, digital download
Various Digital download

References

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  1. ^ "NCT Dream will drop their next EP on Sept. 3". Korea Joongang Daily. 2018-07-28. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  2. ^ "Mark Confirmed To Graduate From NCT Dream This Year". Soompi. 2018-08-26. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  3. ^ "[SBS Star] MARK to Graduate from NCT DREAM After One Last Promotion". SBS News. 27 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  4. ^ "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  5. ^ "NCT DREAM, 데뷔곡 '츄잉검' 25일 '엠카'서 첫선". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  6. ^ "SM releases statement regarding NCT Dream's Jaemin". SBS PopAsia. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  7. ^ "NCT Dream Show Their Rebellious Side With 'Go' Music Video". Billboard. 2018-03-05. Archived from the original on 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  8. ^ "NCT Dream will drop their next EP on Sept. 3". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 16 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  9. ^ "[SBS Star] MARK to Graduate from NCT DREAM After One Last Promotion". SBS NEWS. 2018-08-27. Archived from the original on 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  10. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  11. ^ "NCT Dream Release Video For Bazzi-Penned 'We Go Up': Watch". Billboard. 2018-08-30. Archived from the original on 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  12. ^ "NCT DREAM - Mini Album Vol.2 [We Go Up] *second press". www.ktown4u.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  13. ^ "NCT Dream's 'We Go Up' Video: Watch". Billboard. 2018-08-31. Archived from the original on 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  14. ^ "[V Report] NCT Dream video plays up boyish charm". Kpop Herald. 2018-08-31. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  15. ^ "Mark to graduate from NCT Dream after "Dear DREAM"". SBS.com.au. 2018-08-27. Archived from the original on 2020-09-04. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  16. ^ Genius English Translations – NCT Dream - 1,2,3 (English Translation), archived from the original on 2020-07-02, retrieved 2020-07-02
  17. ^ "NCT Dream Score Second Top 5 Entry on World Albums, Debut on Heatseekers Chart". Billboard. 2018-09-14. Archived from the original on 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  18. ^ "NCT DREAM, 뮤직 버라이어티쇼 9월 개최…팬들과 특별한 만남 가진다". Sports Seoul. 2018-09-07. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  19. ^ "週間 アルバムランキング 2018年09月17日付". September 9, 2018. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  20. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums - Sep 17, 2018". September 17, 2018. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  21. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 36, 2018". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  22. ^ "UK Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Recorded Music NZ. September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  23. ^ "HEATSEEKERS ALBUMS - Week of Sep 15, 2018". Billboard. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "WORLD ALBUMS - Week of Sep 15, 2018". Billboard. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  25. ^ "2018년 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "South Korean album certifications – NCT Dream – We Go Up" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved March 11, 2021.