The official announcement of NCT 127’s upcoming album, STICKER, dropped on August 22. Since then, more details and information about the group’s third full-length album have been revealed. In addition to a schedule and a mood sampler, the group has kept fans on their toes with the unveiling of visually striking teasers.
“STICKY” Teasers
Ahead of their comeback promotions, the first preview for NCT 127’s “STICKER” has come full circle with the release of Johnny, Mark, and Haechan’s individual teasers.
Sticky #MARK
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/wXkiQUWIll— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 26, 2021
Sticky #HAECHAN
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/npqVWVuRlH— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 26, 2021
Sticky #JOHNNY
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/zOwqQ6kQng— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 26, 2021
Corresponding to the “STICKY” concept, previous teasers for the rest of the members —Taeil, Jungwoo, Doyoung, Taeyong, Yuta, and Jaehyun— were released on social media. The hyper-colored pictures and video clips showed the members of NCT’s Seoul-based unit posing confidently against a green background. Focusing on an aesthetic that fuses technology with loose references to science fiction, the teasers are a feast for the eyes.
Sticky #TAEIL
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/cVwSVAOGDl— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 25, 2021
Sticky #JUNGWOO
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/JPaeF9QxEZ— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 25, 2021
Sticky #DOYOUNG
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/NmgDFqNo9R— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/NCTsmtown_127/status/1430183128887222275?s=20
Sticky #YUTA
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/oAqykO2oII— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 24, 2021
Sticky #JAEHYUN
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/2DGEY6SJdU— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 25, 2021
Fans Can’t Get Enough
Along with hyperreal images of foodstuff, psychedelic forms and a wardrobe full of pieces from Raf’s Simmons’ “Teenage Dream,” NCT 127 has caused havoc on the internet. For three consecutive days, fans have flooded social media with reactions to the concept.
i'm thinking what if they are doing what exo and rv were doing and are referencing their past eras with the current teasers. like taeyong with eating the cherries is clearly referencing his infamous cherry bomb teaser pic.twitter.com/DMdqfR9Wov
— ✨kosmozen✨ (@withyou_mp3) August 24, 2021
3 instagram posts and sticky teasers all in one day pic.twitter.com/Bn8UgaaLhe
— mark loops (@mkloops) August 26, 2021
the concept aesthetic is just incredible#NCT127_Sticker #NCT127 @NCTsmtown_127 pic.twitter.com/QswfjWvSgl
— ryu (@nct_127) August 26, 2021
me looking at taeyong yuta doyoung teaser every 2 minutes https://t.co/ZNlDmwqCNs
— 🧡 (@dhyuckiesun) August 24, 2021
Theories about what the teasers symbolize and what “STICKER” will sound like based on the images have made rounds on Twitter.
The designs on the teaser pic of Yuta represents a thistle which symbolizes independence.
©️choha_ytty127 pic.twitter.com/iAtAgUOMFj
— NCT YUTA SQUAD (@SQUADNYT) August 24, 2021
I just think that.. #yuta #jaehyun #NCT127STICKY_Teaser pic.twitter.com/KxFBPPzWyw
— 『ⁿᶜᵗ~æ』 youth out 4. 22 (@neocoffeetime) August 26, 2021
the details of jaehyun's teaser:
2 and 4 – 24 years old
hearts on the dices – valentine boy
amethyst and the color red – february pic.twitter.com/SINvq8NEiJ— 천재현❅ (@jaehvunism) August 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/iamneverok/status/1430923493885964293?s=20
Ngl, this sticker teasers remind me to cherry bomb so much. The concept is really similar. I might call it cherry bomb 2.0😼
— ً (@7Y0NGF) August 26, 2021
As it is expected from a fandom as creative as NCT’s, edits, visual boards and fan reinterpretations of the concept have also taken over social media platforms.
https://twitter.com/johndantae/status/1430927515455868930
TRIPPY STICKY #NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/Ms1zX92qep
— ❤️🔥octbr❤️🔥 (@octbrcherries) August 26, 2021
Sticky #MARK colour palette
NCT 127 The 3rd Album ‘Sticker’
➫ 2021.09.17#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker pic.twitter.com/GPxIlo7Yr6— sere 🦊🍡🐥 (@norenssung) August 26, 2021
#MARK in scream queens pic.twitter.com/2eotHZkQrh
— ◡̈ 🍳 (@LMKLOOK) August 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/cocozen_/status/1430556808637161472
A Comeback to Look Forward To
After more than a year away from the Korean music scene, NCT 127 has kicked off a new era with the announcement of STICKER. The group has raised expectations with a college-themed project, concept clips, a V-LIVE broadcast and image teasers. Additionally, they have revealed details about the title track, and listed Mark and Taeyong in the credits for “STICKER.”
‘핫 컴백’ NCT 127, 신곡 ‘Sticker’로 글로벌 히트 이어간다!
태용, 마크 랩 메이킹 참여!NCT 127’s new song 'Sticker' to be another global hit!
TAEYONG & MARK take part in writing the rap lyrics!https://t.co/ZY5krcugNg#NCT127 #Sticker#NCT127_Sticker— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) August 26, 2021
Already breaking records before its release, NCT 127’s forthcoming album promises to become one of the most successful returns of the nine-member group. Stay tuned for more coverage on the anticipated comeback.
Looking for a recap of what we know about STICKER so far? Check out EnVi’s coverage on what we’ve learned so far!
Images courtesy of SM Entertainment. Graphic designed by @GTroubleArtist.