Sophia Michaels
On May 19, NCT 127 released their repackage album Neo Zone: The Final Round. The repackage album follows the release of their studio album Neo Zone, which the group released on March 6. At midnight KST on May 20, NCT 127 dropped a music video for “Punch,” the lead single for Neo Zone: The Final Round.
‘Neo Zone: The Final Round’ has 17 songs
NCT 127’s album Neo Zone is their second studio album and has 13 songs. “Kick It” is the album’s lead single, and the music video for “Kick It” has over 47 million views on YouTube.
Neo Zone reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was NCT 127’s third time appearing on the chart, and with the No. 5 ranking they became the fourth K-pop group in history to ever have an album in the top 10 spots on the Billboard 200 chart.
Neo Zone: The Final Round has all 13 songs from Neo Zone as well as four new songs. “Punch” is the repackage album’s lead single, and “NonStop” and “Make Your Day” are new B-sides. NCTzens already heard the fourth new song “Prelude” before the album dropped, as it was used as an intro for “Kick It” from NCT 127’s music show performances.
“‘NonStop’ describes the commitment to run to the person you love, no matter the situation,” Taeyong said of the new B-side according to a translation by Soompi.
RELATED: NCT 127’s Album ‘Neo Zone’ Lands at No. 5 on the Billboard 200
“I think it holds the feeling of wanting to congratulate you on all of your days,” Haechan said of “Make Your Day.”
‘Punch’ is NCT 127’s new single
NCTzens got a sneak peek of “Punch” during the K-pop group’s “Beyond LIVE” concert on May 17. For fans who tuned into the virtual concert, NCT 127 performed “Punch” before their album and music video release.
While the band is known for their experimental sound, “Punch” still manages to be something new and classic NCT 127. The song is futuristic in feel, and the choreography matches the group’s trademark intensity from past songs. “Punch” also continues the theme from the band’s last lead single, “Kick It.”
With “Kick It,” the members of NCT 127 confronted their trauma. In “Punch,” the group sings about overcoming the challenges they face and moving on.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08OSl3V4po?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
“Hope I can rise again as if every moment is new / Hey We Ballin’ / We fight together / That punch! Throw it / Run more and shout Babe / My heart is passionate yeah yeah / Hey We Ballin’ / A fighter who’ll change everything,” the group sings.
NCT 127 fans love ‘Punch’ and the new album
After the band released “Punch” and Neo Zone: The Final Round, NCTzens trended #NCT127_Punch on Twitter with over 1 million tweets.
“As always, nct 127 once again has changed and carried the music industry but are we surprised #NCT127_Punch,” tweeted a fan.
“Not at how NCT ATE UP YHE ASMR COMMUNITY, don’t even get me started on the choreography & VOCALS #NCT127_Punch,” one fan tweeted.
“can we talk about how aesthetically pleasing the music video is? #NCT127_Punch #PunchIsHere #NeoZone_TheFinalRound,” wrote a Twitter user.
Written by: CheatSheet
