The year 2021 can be – somehow – also called 2020-127.
NCT 127 were limitless in 2021. Topping South Korean and global charts, collecting milestones, setting and breaking new records, and selling out three days concerts in Seoul were only a few of the things the group achieved in their prolific and sensational 2021. It comes with no surprise that their hard work paid off and has been rightfully recognised.
NCT 127 made history when awarded their first-ever Artists Daesang (Grand Prize) at the 31st Seoul Music Awards. They were also awarded the Bonsang (Main Award) during the event. The Seoul Music Awards is one of the prestigious music award ceremonies in South Korea. NCT 127’s win makes them the tenth boy band and fifth artist, this decade, to receive this award. NCT 127 have joined legendary boy groups like EXO, Big Bang, H.O.T., and TVXQ.
The group have history with this prestigious award. From winning the Rookie Award at the 26th Seoul Music Awards to earning Bonsangs in 2019 and 2021, and recently grabbing the Grand Prize in 2022, the group has shown consistent growth.
Moreover, “Daesang Artist NCT 127” – as Taeyong has introduced them during an Instagram Live after receiving the award – were the winner of Artists Of The Year (Physical Album – 4th Quarter) at the Gaon Chart Music Awards, a ceremony held by the Korea Music Content Association on January 27.
During the acceptance speech, leader Taeyong said, “Firstly, today is the 27th of January. We call this day 127 Day. I think today was a more special day because our fans gave us this great award.” While Johnny added, “One of the biggest compliments and artists can receive is that your music is great. I feel that through this album, we were able to show our music quality, and our fans were able to appreciate that.”
“This album” – mentioned by Johnny – is NCT 127’s third full-length album Sticker and its repackage Favourite, released in September and October 2021. Sticker recorded a staggering 1.3 million pre-orders in just 24 hours and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 charts – marking a personal best. Favorite sold a total of 1.1 million copies in the week of its release.
With the title of “Triple Million Sellers” and other impressive recognitions, the group had a fantastic year in music. By the end of 2021, the group performed three sold-out concerts at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul for their “NCT 127 2ND TOUR ‘NEO CITY : SEOUL – THE LINK”, notched the award for Album Of The Year at the Asian Artist Awards, and swept the second spot on the 2021 Gaon Album Chart with Sticker selling over 2.4 million copies.
2022 is just starting, but NCT 127’s long-lasting power on the global charts is still visible, in particular on the Billboard main albums chart. Sticker has been on the chart (currently at No. 196) for 17 consecutive weeks. This is the longest record for any K-pop album released in 2021.
2021 was indeed 2020-127, but from a group that always strives for greatness and always works hard to showcase their unique sound and concept, we can’t wait to see how NCT 127 will surprise us in 2022.
