Neo Culture Throwback: A Dive Into NCT U RESONANCE Music Videos
Stop. Rewind. Turn back time. Every Saturday leading up to the release of NCTโs Universe, we will take a walk down memory lane to last yearโs release, RESONANCE! From the music to the moments shared with the members, NCT 2020 was an unforgettable experience. In our second installment, we deep-dive into the title track music videos released during the era.
RESONANCE saw something that had never been done in their previous full-team project. Over the course of two months, it boasted four NCT U singles, two from each part. This is also reflected in their music videos; from โMake A Wish (Birthday Song)โ to โWork It,โ the Neos showcased a new, exciting side. With that, letโs take a look at the music videos of the albumโs NCT U singles.
Letโs Start, We Gonโ Fly
As RESONANCEโs first promoting NCT U lineup, expectations were on the rise for โMake A Wish (Birthday Song).โ Not only did it feature members from the โBOSSโ lineup (Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Lucas), but it also became the NCT U debut for the other members (Xiaojun, Jaemin, and Shotaro). The teaser released two days before the actual music video only fueled the excitement. Sporting glamorous streetwear and glimmering jewelry, the members stroll in a dimly-lit street. A bass-filled beat and a captivating whistle hook play in the background.
They indeed did not disappoint. After a brief close-up shot, the familiar instrumental from the teaser begins to play. Soon, Taeyong slides into view, rapping the first verse. The video alternates between a cinematic 16:9 ratio andย more dynamic widescreen shots, which feature transitions in various geometric shapes and objects. Following its theme of exploring infinite possibilities from making a wish, โMake A Wish (Birthday Song)โ incorporates mesmerizing effects. These effects include the kaleidoscopic and fish-eye lens shots, colorful backgrounds and frames, and bright, flickering light throughout the video.
The charismatic subunit members cement โMake A Wish (Birthday Song)โ as a memorable NCT track. From the smooth rap, iconic dance moves, to gorgeous falsettos, they further elevate the โ00s hip-hop-influenced track. Each member receives his own close-up shots on different sets: the dark street from the teaser, swinging from a giant chandelier, surrounded by carpets, and more. Compared to the swift group dance shots, these are slower and more intimate. As the song comes to an end, the members stand in a line with a red cloth each in hand. And with a swish, they make a graceful exit.
When We Shine Bright, Iโm Alive
โFrom Homeโ is NCTโs love letter to NCTzens. They share their dreams and walk together to make them come true. The R&B ballad quickly warms the hearts of its listener after its release. With their amazing voices and multilingual prowess, Taeil, Yuta, Kun, Doyoung, Renjun, Haechan, and Chenle come together for the track and music video.
Nostalgia plays a huge role in โFrom Home.โ With the click of a tape, we see the title card on a small TV screen. The use of 4:3 ratio mirrors the experience of watching old home videos. As the rest of the members film their outdoor trip with their retro camcorders, Chenle lovingly watches them in a warm, comfortable living room. The music video also showcases beautiful scenery. Its use of wide and panoramic shots makes it distinct from the other RESONANCE title track videos. Combined with the membersโ angelic voices, the beach, grass fields, and the woods leave viewers in awe. (They also make great gadget wallpapers.)
Unlike the studio version, thereโs a pleasant twist to the โFrom Homeโ music video. After Taeilโs high note in the bridge, the screen fades to black. Soon, the music shifts into a soft piano instrumental, and a slideshow of the subunit membersโ childhood pictures appear. Alongside the slideshow, the NCT members express their gratitude: โ่ฐข่ฐข. Danke schรถn. ใใใใจ. Gracias. เธเธญเธเธเธธเธ เธเธฃเธฑเธ. Thank you. ๊ณ ๋ง์.โ With fans expressing their wholesome messages online, this scene definitely marks one of the most emotional Ncity moments to date.
This Is How We Do It
Ten, Winwin, Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Yangyang, and Sungchan are charming ice hockey players in โ90โs Love.โ The single was the first to come out of RESONANCE Pt. 2 on November 23, 2020. Described as โan old school R&B hip-hop song with exciting upbeats, groovy drums, and bass lines,โ it was no doubt that the Neos had something new to offer. A day before its release, SM Entertainment released the music video teaser.
We see an aerial view of the hockey rink when the music video beginsโteam NCT U Dinosaurs is playing against the Gorillas. As the game becomes intense, the shot quickly changes to individual member portraits, all in the style of collectible athlete trading cards. This isnโt the only nostalgic reference to the eponymous decade. True to its title, the music video has many elements that resemble the โ90s. These include simple and โripped paperโ transitions, gym hall dance scenes, and 3D video game animation.
Beyond its throwback, the โ90โs Loveโ music video is packed with SM Culture Universe (SMCU) lore. With lyrics mentioning โKWANGYAโ and โKOSMO,โ some NCTzens have theorized its relevance in the NCT universe (or multiverse, if thatโs what youโre inclined to). Interestingly, the music video heavily features a blue and orange color scheme, which mainly manifests in the lighting. These are none other than the colors featured in the Past and Future versions of RESONANCE Pt. 1, respectively. This makes โ90โs Loveโ all the more intriguing to watch.
I Wanna See You Dance, Dance
Being the last promoted NCT U track didnโt make โWork Itโ lose momentum. As the song was already available ahead of the music video, NCTzens couldnโt wait to see it come to life. Sure enough, their expectations remained high when exactly a day prior, the teaser came out. Dancing to the catchy, feel-good beat were Johnny, Yuta, Ten, Jungwoo, Hendery, Jaemin, and Jisung in colorful attire.
Just like the post-โ90โs Loveโ stinger, Jisung is spinning on a playground roundabout. He smoothly transitions into colorful lights. โWe steppinโ out, Czennies tell us right,โ Jaemin raps. โHot like the sun, weโre excited.โ And sure they are. Throughout the music video, the members feel themselves to the beat. Their dandy outfits mixed with the social media โsnippetsโ evoke the feeling of letting go of oneโs life hardships.
โWork Itโ is arguably the most dynamic RESONANCE title track music video. It incorporates rapid shots on individual close-ups and the group dance scenes. In addition to the fluid camera movements, the music video makes good use of quirky transitions. These include the โzapโ leading to the second verse, the Johnny-to-Jaemin โball-passingโ shot, and the โwormholeโ before the penultimate rap verse. Topped with colorful backgrounds, graphic motion, and words from the lyrics, โWork Itโ is a vibrant three-minute fest.
The RESONANCE era music videos are stunning in that they bring out NCTโs different charms. With Universe around the corner, we canโt wait to see what they have in store next!
Missed out on the previous Neo Culture Throwback piece? Check out the eight gems from RESONANCE here.
