#NCTmentary

[dojae-huh]

Frequency: mood sample

I love cripy videos from SM.

Kind of repeats Dream's previous comeback. Young men in a facility, being recorded and observed. Are we back to NCT lore?

Yuta's Buttefly and Bad euphoria.

[adreaminadream]

Recommendations

𖦹 NCTmentary

~ NCT U's concept videos for EMPATHY.

𖦹 Triple H

~ My fave songs to come out of the trio!

adreaminadream

[neochan]

NCT GROUP CONCEPT - THE SLEEP CYCLE

warning: I am not making this up, this is actual facts, some is speculation, but this is a very real concept within the group and not a work of fiction.

(finished writing this back in 2020 and now it's relevant again so i'm adding to it and reposting it)

Concept Overview

The NCT members are going through sleep cycles, which are portrayed in music videos and extracurriculars. Every time they complete a ‘dream cycle’ they add more members into the group and when they complete a sleep cycle they make a new subunit. Now SM is straying away from this concept, but for the first two and half years its very evident this is happening.

Alternatively  - NCT only exists within our [fans] dreams, and each music video is a different dream. This explains the different themes in music videos, some not making sense. 

Debut

It starts with, “The synchronization of your dreams.” [SOYD] In this, the members have already fallen asleep, and the ‘synchronization’ is the members coming together to form NCT U. Lets not forget the concept of NCT U is for any members, from any sub units to come together and entertain you [consumers/fans] in your dreams. This also can work with the synchronization of each sub unit to form one whole dream, or NCT as a whole.

After this, NCT U is debuted with the hit song seventh sense. The seventh sense? Lucid dreaming - the ability to control your dreams. There’s more to this song than people realize. 

In the SOYD we have haechan vocals, but he isn’t in the final debut song seventh sense. People think this is in fact a hate crime SM committed, but it is only because he has fallen back to his own dream scape AKA NCT DREAM. 

After the SOYD and Seventh sense, NCT DREAM debuts. This is the first dreamscape, and the main one. The next section explains more on their sub units

NCT DREAM

They have a whole concept within their dreamscape which is why they get a whole section. NCT DREAM implemented a graduation system for the members, but no this isn’t to torture fans lmao. 

They debuted with the song Chewing Gum, which is very juvenile. Throughout NCT DREAMS discography you can watch their hits turn from juvenile bubble gum kpop to mature themes, most significantly turning after their song GO. 

The idea for this group was, the older the fans get the more they change. When you’re a kid you’re going to be dreaming about bubblegum, but when you’re older you’re going to be dreaming about driving with your friends etc (WE GO UP). 

Their whole concept stems from the brain patterns and dream growth in growing kids. This is why they implemented the graduation concept. The older you get the less you are to dream about kiddy stuff, and that’s their whole sub unit concept. 

NCT 127 

After NCT DREAM debuted, NCT 127 made their appearance with hit song FireTruck. Now the song means absolutely nothing to me, it’s just a bop, but the video means everything for the sleep cycle context.

In the video we are met with a young girl, and one of the first things the members do is destroy her sand castle. This symbolizes how they are one step up from dreams concept aka repping the dream patterns and growth of teenagers to young adults.  The destroying of her sandcastle has obvious connection to how when you grow up, all the kid stuff is no long relevant and your dreams (in life as well) change. 

Throughout the video we see the female protagonist grow up through her teen years and even into her working years. The concept is so plainly obvious but yet so hidden because why are they rapping about firetrucks (maybe because growing up puts out the fire, aka passion, that we have for our dreams?)

NCT DREAM LAB -> EMPATHY 2018

There are a series of videos titled NCTmentary, which fully back up my theories and show this concept in depth. This also predicts the new members that would be joining us a couple months after the first video was uploaded. 

They basically spell out that NCT is in the deepest sleep (REM CYCLE) at the moment and that anything can be possible, aka them debuting new members, or to us, the fans, creating new members in our dreamscape. 

The third episode title is Empathy, hinting at the new album that would dropping and again, hinting at new members. They debut three new members, but don’t make a big deal about them being debuted because NCT is in deep sleep right now. 

The entire series perfectly describes the entire concept and I could write an entire 60 page thesis on it and its meanings but i’m going to spare you. 

WAKEY WAKEY

So this song is them waking up, yep. The time between Empathy 2018 and this EP is nct going through their dream cycle, and then this is them and us finally waking up. A couple months before this, WAYV debuted, and I’m still not sure what their role in this concept is. Remember in the beginning where i told you that SM is straying from this concept, well WAYVs debut is the first big plot hole.  

There isnt much more to say, because this is kind of where SM dropped the sleep cycle concept, but!!!!!!!!! they ended up dropping the concept when they appointed a new company president so I think thats the reason. 

THIS IS WHERE I STOPPED WRITING LAST TIME. TIME TO CONTINUE THIS SHIT

WAYV

okay so wayvs concept is pretty much right there for everyone to see. it's some kind of sci-fi, space themed dreams, and i think it's awesome. that's all there is to say on their topic lol.

GOLDEN AGE

so between loveholic and golden age, we get a bunch of random music videos and albums for each subunit. again, this is because they're each in their own dreams right now...they're not really coming together. until we get to golden age. now we have everyone together, forming a multi-dimension dreamscape basically. everyone is meshed together again.

AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THIS? THEY DEBUTED A NEW SUBUNIT. NCT WISH.

now i don't know anything about this new subunit, BUT my theory is that because nct dream has now matured in their concept, they need to bring back the original concept of bubblegum kiddie dreams. this also fills in the plothole of them cancelling the nct dream graduation thing. now they'll have another kiddie friendly group or kiddie friendly dream scape.

AND WHAT NOW?

now they're back to being awake again. this is detailed in nct dreams new concept ()SCAPE films. they're being awoken. finally.

EXTRA - CHART

falling asleep

↓

beginning of rem sleep / individual unit albums

↓

deep sleep / album with all members / debut new ones (or take away some)

↓

end of dream cycle /making their way out of main rem sleep and having smaller individual dreams aka music videos

↓

waking up - this usually follows a japanese album (wakey wakey & gimme gimme)

↓

fully awake now and then they debut a new sub unit

EXTRA - how nct fits the chart

SLEEP CYCLE #1

synchronization of your dreams (falling asleep)

↓

a few individual unit albums (nct#127, limitless, the first, cherry bomb & we young.)

↓

they debut lucas, kun, and jungwoo and we get the first multi dreamscape album (empathy)

↓

more albums (chain, we go up, regular-irregular, regulate)

↓

awaken album (japanese) (it's important to note that the last song on the album is end to start, which means they're now going back to the start which is falling asleep again.

↓

debut of wayv

SLEEP CYCLE #2

falling asleep again (take off)

↓

a few individual unit albums (we are superhuman, we boom, take over the moon, neozone, reload, neozone: the final round)

on the same note, then we get wayvs, awaken the world (they're trying to get everyone to wake up)

↓

they debut sungchan and shotaro and we get the second multi dreamscape album (resonance)

↓

this time we get the japanese album first (loveholic)

↓

more albums (kick back, hot sauce, hello future, sticker, favorite)

↓

then we get a second multi dreamscape album, universe.

↓

then they undebut sungchan and shotaro

↓

then we go back to the albums, which coincidentally starts with glitch mode. i think this was intentional. because the order of the sleep cycle got messed up this time around, i think nct dreams glitch modes indicates there was a glitch in the dream world.

this is followed by (beatbox, two baddies, candy, phantom, ay-yo, perfume & istj)

↓

then we get another multi dreamscape album (golden age)

↓

then more albums (fact check, on my youth)

↓

debut NCT WISH (a moreso japanese unit so we don't need any more japanese albums from the other groups for the sleep cycle to continue)

SLEEP CYCLE #3 (FINALLY BACK ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND)

starts with nct dream waking up (they're new album coming out in which they're literally waking up from their dream in the video teasers.)

and thats the end......for now.

[rollup2theparty]

D͟R͟E͟A͟M͟L͟A͟B͟ <NCTMENTARY>

────────────────── Neo Culture Technology classified research files.

PHASE: i. non-REM ii. switch iii. empathy iv. connection v. synchronization

[ specimen NCT-0219: everything is possible, here in my dream ]

✧ nctmentary inspired spread

find more of my art on @/afterimgdsgns on insta

[gay-little-cloud]

remember that theory on the nct dreamverse about jisung forcing the members to stay with him on this imaginary realm/time loop/dream so he wouldnt be alone........ im starting to think its true... bro looks sus af in these new teasers because whats this ??

and like this is not even his first time breaking the 4th wall......

thats: chewing gum, joy, synchronization of dreams and rainbow.

bonus: (its very long, sorry)

the video NCTmentary EP3. Empathy is literally about how the dreamies are conected to each other thru dreams. and theres a scene where jisung says "last night i had a dream"

and then we get jaemin saying he had the same dream as jisung and that he thinks he was "lured by something" and felt like he was "wrapped in smoke", which is interesting because the other dreamies talk about how they think they saw each other in their dreams but none of them say they were actually there or lured by something (none of the other dreamies shared a dream with jisung, just jaemin).

also !! when the members talk about the dreams they had about each other they are together in reality, but jisung is the only one thats alone on a room writing about it on his diary instead of actually talking to someone (another member or the camera).

when jaemin talks about his dream with jisung, jisung is also not there, and the scene we see of them together are the scenes of the dream (theyre wrapped in smoke). so jisung is never seen with the members in the real word.

and then on EP.4 Synchronization of Dreams is when we get this scene

the full scene shows jisung entering the room, the rest of the dreamies were already there watching the tv not moving at all.

on DREAM LOOP : The Last Midnight #1, jisung is the only member that immeditely assumes theyre trapped on a dream, with little to no proof, he just remembers (and we see someone kept a diary, im sure it was him, again) and he's the one to tell the members "i think we're locked in here"

on EP5. Back to the Reality, they explain to us that reality is "a world with limits" and so the dream lab was "created to break these limits in reality". they also say one of the stages they can reach its called "dream in a dream" where "the dream can influence reality".

now we get kun telling us about a dream he had where he saw a door and we get these scenes:

thats jisung !!!! on the inside of the dream door !! like-

which is something we ALSO get to see on EP3. Empathy, while hes writing about his dream on his diary (he's the only member ever shown by the door):

and when the narrator explains how to come back to reality they show a bit of jisungs dream with the smoke but this time is on reverse, as in deleting all their progress.

NOW all of those are actual canon events on the nct universe so whats the theory.

theres a lot of versions of the same thing but they all conclude the same: jisung doesnt want the members to leave this imaginary realm/time loop/dream theyre trapped in.

why ? the main theories ive seen are:

-the dreamies are not real and jisung made them up as imaginary friends but this dream in a dream state that can influence reality made them lowkey real ?? but they dont exist in the real word so to leave the dream world would mean to lose them.

-the dreamies died and jisung has them trapped on a loop where they dont get to ever die. jisung can come in and out of the loop/dream but the members cant.

in every version of the dream in which the members are aware that theyre trapped, they want to leave. either because they don't know what would happen if they do or because they just want jisung to let go and get to have a real life without them.

at the end of DREAM LOOP : The Last Midnight #2, the members solve all the puzzles to get out of the loop correctly but right after they leave the dream world thru the door the day starts again with jisung saying theyre trapped on a loop.

this implies jisung is succesfully controling the realities where the members exist and that even if he reveals to the dreamies that they are trapped in a dream, they still wont be able to leave.

so jisung is using the dream lab to break the limits of reality by keeping the members trapped because they wouldnt exists if not for this.

and then i think all the different universes we've been seeing the members go thru as 7DREAM (like all the chapters of DREAM-VERSE or Production : Stranger Seven) are realities jisung is making up to keep the members together forever, but it probably gets more and more difficult each time.

maybe we get to see them scape this comeback ?? i mean its literally called [DREAM( )SCAPE].................

cant wait to see the scape films ! 5 chapters !!

wait i cant believe they posted one of the new teasers while i was writing this lmao

i love it here !!!!!! this is so good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hanbeanz]

film parallels ⤷ back to ZEROBASE vs. NCTmentary

[kwangyadetective]

do you have any theories on the new nct u 2023? i feel like there was so much lore involved this time around

Hey, sorry for the long wait but here's what I can find.. and it's a long one

Ngl I've always had the impression that the lore in the Neos' universe was somewhat dead...? This year? But from what I noticed, yes they used their assigned Neo Number on the timeline.

The Neos taking pictures in different places worldwide (somewhat) actually could strengthen the idea that they have entered the Reality and are expanding their universe. In 2020-2021, they were in the process of doing it and, this year is pretty much like the peak of their plan; hence called Golden Age. But what's unfortunate is that there aren't any bits that help that idea... which is why I am actually unsure of this theory. For example, in 2021 we had illustrations of their machines but now the concept pictures are just... normal. ESPECIALLY contents such as YearDream videos or NCTmentaries... it's all pretty vague. Album-wise, I think it's interesting that they are called Archiving and Collecting, it's like they are keeping memories or perhaps 'documentations' (in a scientific way) of their mission and what stage they are in. It's really odd that they call it Golden Age yet it's not that grand...

MV

MV and Archiving videos, each one of them has very different visuals and aesthetics. I think that there aren't any lore conclusions drawn from those because I see them mostly for stylistic purposes. There isn't a clear plot going on. One thing for sure Baggy Jeans was in the Dream world, many irregular stuff happening. The unit choice itself, the first NCT U unit, perhaps could mean a new beginning.

Though I do have a sliver of thoughts for Golden Age MV. The overall song sounds hopeful and 'inspiring' to an extent, all the Neos gathering. In the beginning, we have a droplet of water, Ether, so they are connecting. However, as a deranged theorist, I thought there were some slightly suspicious scenes and an underlying meaning behind all of it.

First of all, some members have their keys with their NeoNumber assigned (I saw a theory tweet from some time and OP added the numbers... actually that's not how it works). The keys belong to each one of them though not everyone's shown. Xiaojun's 08, Jungwoo's 05, and Ten's 10. But it's weird how Ten and Jungwoo joined Jaehyun to burn the keys. It is also odd that it is in the shape of an old key with a wooden keyring, it's not 'Neo'. I still don't know what the key truly means, what is it supposed to open? Perhaps for the archiving files? Or is it for a door? One key didn't have a keyring (Jaemin found it?) and Mark took it and showed it to the others? Why were Jaehyun, Ten, and Jungwoo burning the chair along with the keys? Are they letting go of something? Perhaps the past because they are moving on to a new universe, a new chapter?

(Another thought) Knowing Jaehyun and Ten's background there must be something. Doyoung was chosen as a special character as of 2021, Xiaojun could become one too now since he was the only one in the water (which I still don't know the reason for.. perhaps something to do with Ether too?). There were many destructions, these were used in BOSS' MV to show the empty and depressing Real World, unlike the Dream World where anything is possible. Are the destroyed structures a sign of them restarting something new? Or is it something bad? One last thing, Red Lights

It isn't just any red light. I tend to go crazy with hints of (round) red lights because of their meaning. Back then, red lighting in the Neo world was used to represent them being in a dream, but this one is round... is there a villainous character present? Or is it a reach?

So what is truly happening in the lore? Is it all hopeful and positive?

End of post, I'm very sorry for throwing in so many questions but essentially I am still unsure of these ideas I have. I am rather skeptical with what I have because before this, the lore was vague to me.

So I hope this helps you :")

And I know with all of this I could've written a different lengthy post but I pretty much didn't think things through while writing 😅... have this as my official theory and thoughts post for NCT2023.

[nsuenke]

Lucid Dreams

Hey! English is not my first language, but I hope you guys will be able to enjoy. Weed, other things implied and strongly based on NCTmentary

Nct!au

Winter. Your memory said it was a freezing winter in the middle of December. Trembling hands sliding over your face trying to wipe away the remnants of the crimson snow. The the glass reflection, showed you the cut on the upper lip and it leads you to believe it that the blood was yours, but this is not your mouth, so it's not your blood. This is not 𝘺𝘰𝘶. But it's too much blood anyways. Too much blood. If the blood that is on you is not "your" blood, whose blood is it?

"You think it worked?" In an exasperated sigh you rise from the bed, my breathing quickening. Sweaty, tired, shaky. You seem to have lain down for an eternity

"By the looks of it no" Haechan says sitting on the chair next to my bed. From his clothes, he just got off from his shift. If his shift is over then

"Like, remember that story Jeno was talking about sharing dreams, lucid dreams... " - He asks leaning against the chair-

"I remember, lucid dreams? That mystical shit?"

"Yeah, he always talks about dreams being fragments of memories, are you trying shit like that? "

"What time is it?" Youask still catching your breath and ignoring his question"

"If you're worried about your shift" -He says without paying much attention to you, scrolling through his phone- "it's past the hour and Andre said you don't need to come back to work anymore, okay?"

You've lost another job, another week, another month. At this point it's torture, no one wants to go through this, not even your brain knows how to react anymore. Since the interrogation last week, your memories keep twisting your mind. Nights without eating or sleeping, you hear his voice, you see him, often in front of you, asking what's wrong. He is whats wrong, he's gone. Mark was that kind of guy. He'd be gone one week and back the next, gone a month and back the next and the kids know about this, they all know. They do not worry because they are sure that he will come back, but his parents on the other hand

"Man, that interrogation just killed me" I say sitting up "That detective..."

"The one with the moustache?" - Haechan says still on the phone-

"Yeah, wow, he's so weird. The way he was talking, it sounded like I made Mark disappear. But I was there"

"You were?"

"Yeah."

"Are you for real?" - He says looking at you, incredulously-

"I was there, but I didn't like, was 𝘸𝘢𝘴 there you know?" - Y say looking at him-

"Like, I got away from the group for a little bit and - 𝙥𝙤𝙤𝙛" - sign with hands- "fell asleep"

He laughed so hard and you laughed along with him

"Is that what you said in the statement?" - he asks still laughing-

"You know it was, nobody knows I smoke, but you know, like, do you think they'll find his body when the snow goes down?"

"Huh?" -he says recovering- "What are you talking about?"

"You know!" - say laughing lightly- "They were arguing and 𝙋𝙤𝙬" - You gestured a gun- "shot in the chest"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I'm kidding! Don't take everything I say seriously"

"But like, between the two of us.... I think Jaemin shared a dream with me"

[bewby]

did you guys see the nmixx story concept film teaser thing ... any nctzens also think it's so reminiscent of the nctmentary videos back in 2018 ? i LOVE it

[neorizon]

✩ ⋮ masterlist . ݁⊹

✩ loading all files on "nct horizon"...

✩ the basics

group intro ⊹ dynamics ⊹ members — sora ⊹ yunmi ⊹ reno ⊹ noriko ⊹ xiu

✩ music

discography ⊹ performances — end of year shows ⊹ concerts

nct lab ⊹ nct 2018 ⊹ nct 2020 ⊹ nct 2021 ⊹ nct 2023 ⊹ nct nation

sora&reno's work with nct dream

✩ media

hrzn — over the horizon ⊹ social butterfly sohn yunmi ⊹ noriko & xiu are explorers

w/ nct — the nct show ⊹ awsaz ⊹ muk2u ⊹ 37.5 MHz haechan radio ⊹ relay cam ⊹ nct life ⊹ nctmentary ⊹ yeardream

sora&reno w/ dream — dream vs dream ⊹ 7llin' ⊹ dream x dream ⊹ in jaemin's narcissism photos

other/misc.

[diveintheblu-e]

The NCTmentary Series

NCT (Neo Culture Technology) is a K-Pop group managed by SM Entertainment. Since the group's introduction in 2016, they grew from 15 members to 26, which splits up into six sub-units. NCT is best known for being a multi-cultural group. Their main purpose is to go outside of the ¨box¨ and set new standarts for K-Pop by reaching out to the whole world with their unique music that varies in genres from Pop, Hip-Hop, Funk, R&B, Trap, Soul to Rock in different languages.

NCT 2018 Empathy is the first full-length album by NCT. It was released on March 14 2018 as part of their large project called "NCT 2018" which consisted only 18 members at the time. The physical album comes in two versions: Reality and Dream.

NCTmentary are documentary videos for NCT 2018 Empathy promotion. The five episode mini series gives you a closer look into NCT's concept and storyline. It is like a documentary about the dreams and goals the members have individually and as a group. It gives details about how dreams work. You do not need to know much about the group in order to be entertained by the series because of it's unique visuals and narration, it is mysterious and interesting enough by itself. The members speak their native languages: Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese which, in my opinion, makes it even more personal.

There is five episodes that were released between February 8, 2018 - April 16, 2018.

Director : Kim Wooje (ETUI COLLECTIVE) -one of my favorite directors- Animation & Art Director : Jaehoon Choi  Animation : VCRWORKS, Son Yeongeun, Jeon Soeun

EP1. Dream Lab

In the first episode, there is a general introduction to the series. They talk about their purpose and give information about dreams by entering one of the members, Ten's dream. So far, nothing much happened but later on things will esculate as we go further into their dreams. The choice of sound, music and visuals sets a tone that pulls you in and catches your attention.

EP2. Switch

The second episode continues with the same pace. Some members are sharing personal experiences. The visuals paired with the narration makes you question what is real and not. It almost feels like you are dreaming as well.

EP3. Empathy

Episode three looks unrelated from the other videos content wise, but that just helps you feel more in a dream like stage. They still talk about their purpose in this one. .

EP4. Synchronization of Dreams

To be honest, I do not have anything different to say about this episode. It is still going in the same path as the other ones.

EP5. Back to the Reality

And finally, the last episode. There is a recap of the other episodes at the start and then we return to reality. NCT has finally reached their full potenial by making their dreams become reality. They can now continue spreading their message and expanding their career.

NCT is my favorite K-Pop group and the NCTmentary series has been one of my biggest inspirations for years. It was ahead of it's time as back then, it was rare to see such well made cinematic videos in the sector aside from the music videos that were released. NCT's whole concept is something that should be looked into thoroughly because it is so deep and detailed. Besides their unique sound, it is what seperates NCT from other groups. SM Entertainment is known for their well planned concepts and all of the groups are connected under the SMCU (SM Culture Universe). SM is truely admirable when it comes to creativity.

[dojae-huh]

"Dirty Smoothie" MV was nice. Pretty k-pop coded but with a plot. I want to know what the ball means. The magical orb yeouiju (wish fulfilling jewel)? It's the size of a basketball, and Dream has basketball as one of their motifs, hm. Also the glassess? Heh, Neo got my back? The egg, seeds and the knight (horse, the chess piece) I can understand. I like how they made the horse into the chessplayer guy. This MV has one of the strongest references to The Matrix. (The whole NCT lore is based on Inception and Matrix)

The thorns reminded me Bettlejuice's sandworms. It's the old stop-animation effect the sequence had. Can't get rid of the feeling I saw this "a box/house" slowly being covered by creeping thorn vines image somewhere in the old media. Maybe in an MV.

[adreaminadream]

#1 NCTmentary

"Everything is possible here in my dream."

𖦹 EP.1 Dream Lab

𖦹 EP.2 Switch

𖦹 EP.3 Empathy

𖦹 EP.4 Synchronisation of Dreams

𖦹 EP.5 Back to the Reality

~ the best concept videos to date ~

adreaminadream

[mrjjjch]

nctmentary dream : na jaemin ver. 

[neo-boy]

[theoldmc6106]

😎🐰🌺 #NCT #NCTDREAM  #NCTZen #smtown #smrookies #sment #Mark #Renjun #Jeno #Haechan #Jaemin #Chenle #Jisung #NCTmentary #kpop #kpoper #kpoplover #kpopfff #follow #fanstagram #like4like https://www.instagram.com/p/CSniUEFpIXc/?utm_medium=tumblr