The First (single album) explained

The First
Type:	Single album
Artist:	NCT Dream
Cover:	NCT Dream - The First.png
Recorded:	2016–2017
Language:	Korean
Label:	SM Entertainment
Next Title:	We Young
Next Year:	2017

"The First" is the debut double A-side single by South Korean-Chinese boy band NCT Dream, the third sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. It was released on February 9, 2017 with "My First and Last" serving as the single's title track.

Background and release

NCT's third unit, NCT Dream, consists of seven members: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. They debuted with the digital single "Chewing Gum" on August 24, 2016.^{[1] [2]}

On February 1, 2017, NCT Dream announced that they would be releasing their first single, "The First". SM Entertainment announced that Jaemin will not be participating in this comeback due to his health problems.^[3]

Described as a lively dance track with a light-hearted melody and a pounding bass, "My First and Last" served as the album's title track and was released on February 9, in both Korean and Mandarin versions. The album also includes a cover of Lee Seung-hwan's 1993 hit song "Dunk Shot".^{[4] [5]}

Promotion

The group had their first comeback stage on Mnet's M Countdown on February 9 where they performed "My First and Last" and "Dunk Shot".^[6]

Commercial performance

"The First" debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated February 5–11, 2017.^[7] It placed at number 40 on Gaon's year-end chart.^[8] After years from its release, the album re-entered on the Gaon Chart at number 12 for the month of February, 2021.^[9]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Xiami.^[10]

• G-Highvocal directing, recording, digital editing
• Kenzievocal directing, background vocals
• MQrap directing
• NCT Dreamvocals, background vocals
  • Markvocals, background vocals, rap making
  • Renjunvocals, background vocals
  • Jenovocals, background vocals
  • Haechanvocals, background vocals
  • Jaeminvocals, background vocals
  • Chenlevocals, background vocals
  • Jisungvocals, background vocals
• Onestarbackground vocals
• August Rigobackground vocals
• Kye Bum-joobackground vocals
• Choi Hoonbass performer
• Hong Joon-hoguitar performer
• Lee Min-gyurecording, digital editing
• Jeong Eun-gyeongrecording, digital editing
• Lee Chang-seonrecording
• Jung Eui-seokrecording, mixing
• Jang Woo-yeongdigital editing
• Nam Gung-jinmixing
• Jin NamKoongmixing
• Goo Jong-pil (BeatBurger)mixing

Locations

Recording

• SM Big Shot Studio
• SM Blue Cup Studio
• SM Blue Ocean Studio
• SM Yellow Tail Studio
• MonoTree Studio
• In Grid Studio
• prelude Studio

Editing

• SM Big Shot Studio
• SM Yellow Tail Studio
• MonoTree Studio
• doobdoob Studio
• In Grid Studio

Mixing

• SM Concert Hall Studio
• SM Yellow Tail Studio
• SM Blue Cup Studio

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"

Peak position
South Korea (Gaon Album Chart)	1

Monthly charts

Chart (February 2017)! scope="col"

Peak position
South Korea (Gaon Album Chart)^[11]	6

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"

Peak position
South Korea (Gaon Album Chart)	40

Accolades

Song! style="width:200px;"

Program	Date
"My First and Last"	The Show (SBS MTV)	February 14, 2017
		February 21, 2017
		February 28, 2017

Notes and References

1. Web site: NCT DREAM, 데뷔곡 '츄잉검' 25일 '엠카'서 첫선. August 19, 2016. Naver. Star Money. ko. February 9, 2017. April 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415123451/https://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916. live.
2. Web site: NCT Dream releases new music video. August 25, 2016. The Korea Herald. May 23, 2021. June 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202221/http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160825000512. live.
3. Web site: SM releases statement regarding NCT Dream's Jaemin. February 2, 2017. SBS. May 23, 2021. July 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010352/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2017/02/02/sm-releases-statement-regarding-nct-dreams-jaemin. live.
4. Web site: NCT Dream Charm With Funk and Pop in 'My First & Last' Video: Watch. February 8, 2017. Billboard. May 23, 2021. May 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512063823/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7685137/nct-dream-charm-funk-pop-my-first-last-video. live.
5. Web site: NCT Dream drops first album, new tracks. February 9, 2017. Korea JoongAng Daily. May 23, 2021. August 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180825222744/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aId=3029599. live.
6. Web site: SF9 and NCT DREAM Perform Comeback Stages on ′M COUNTDOWN′. February 10, 2017. Mwave. May 23, 2021. October 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042203/https://www.mwave.me/en/news/news/view/112437/%5BVideo%5D-SF9-and-NCT-DREAM-Perform-Comeback-Stages-on-%E2%80%B2M-COUNTDOWN%E2%80%B2. live.
7. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 06, 2017. Gaon Chart. February 17, 2017. ko. February 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063403/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=week&hitYear=2017&targetTime=06&nationGbn=T. live.
8. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – 2017. Gaon Chart. ko. 2022-02-19. 2021-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527132044/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2017&hitYear=2017&termGbn=year&year_time=3. live.
9. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – February, 2021. Gaon Chart. ko. 2022-02-19. 2021-03-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311075548/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2021&termGbn=month. live.
10. Web site: The First - The First Single Album. Xiami Music. December 5, 2020. June 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180605015804/http://www.xiami.com/album/bfMQ8bQ2e791. live.
11. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – February, 2017. Gaon Chart. ko. 2022-02-19. 2017-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20170126061801/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month. live.