Wishful Explained

Wishful
Type:	album
Artist:	NCT Wish
Cover:	NCT Wish - Wishful.jpg
Caption:	Digital cover
Genre:	J-pop
Length:	40:51
Language:	Japanese
Label:	SM Avex
Prev Title:	Steady
Prev Year:	2024

Wishful is the debut studio album by boy band NCT Wish, the Japan-based unit of boy group NCT. It was released digitally on November 27, 2024, followed by a physical release in Japan on December 25, through SM Entertainment and Avex Trax. Comprising thirteen tracks, the album is led by the single "Wishful Winter", and includes tracks from the group's previously released maxi singles – "Hands Up", "Wish" and "Songbird".

Background and release

On October 8, 2024, it was announced through NCT's Japanese website that NCT Wish will be releasing their first Japanese studio album Wishful on December 25. The album will include their six previously released Japanese tracks in addition to seven new songs,^[1] including the full version of "NASA", which was originally released in shortened form in a January 2024 performance video.

Wishful was released to digital download and streaming services on November 27, 2024, along with the album's title track, "Wishful Winter", and its accompanying music video.^[2]

Composition

The album's title track, "Wishful Winter" is described as a pop ballad with arpeggio piano, strings, and harmonies "reminiscent of bells". The song's lyrics reflect on the band "granting wishes on Christmas."^[3]

Promotion

The band will promote the album with the "Log In" Asia tour. The tour is scheduled to begin on November 3 in Ishikawa, continuing to several other cities in Japan throughout November and December. In 2025, the tour will visit Seoul and other regions of Asia.^[4]

To commemorate the release of Wishful, a Christmas-themed release event will be held between November 30 and December 25 at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza.^{[5] [6]}

Track listing

Notes

• "Wish" contains sampled elements from "Love Is Here To Say" (1980), as written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and performed by The Singers Unlimited.

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Japan Digital Albums (Oricon)^[7]	16
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)^[8]	69

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label
Various<	-- Inclusive of Japan -->	November 27, 2024
Japan	December 25, 2024	CD

Notes and References

1. Web site: October 8, 2024 . NCT WISH Japan 1st Album "WISHFUL" to be released on Wednesday, December 25th! . NCT Japanese Profile.
2. Web site: Kyung . Ji-min . 2024-11-01 . NCT WISH, 27일 日 첫 정규 앨범 ‘WISHFUL’ 발표 . NCT WISH to release first full album 'WISHFUL' on the 27th . 2024-11-20 . . ko.
3. Web site: Yoo . Ji-hye . 2024-11-20 . NCT 위시, ‘윈터송 강자’ 될까…日 신곡 ‘위시풀 윈터’ 27일 공개 . Will NCT Wish become a 'winter song powerhouse'?... New Japanese song 'Wishful Winter' to be released on the 27th . 2024-11-20 . . ko.
4. Web site: NCT WISH, 亞 투어 ‘LOG in’ 개최..글로벌 루키 행보 . NCT WISH, Asia Tour 'LOG in' Held.. Global Rookie Steps . Kyung . Ji-min . OSEN . 2024-10-16 . ko . 2024-10-28.
5. Web site: 「NCT WISH WISHFUL Christmas in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza」 開催！. November 17, 2024 . November 14, 2024. Mitsui Shopping Park. ja.
6. Web site: 2024-11-14 . NCT WISHをイメージした約6ｍの巨大クリスマスツリーやクリスマスイベントを実施「NCT WISH WISHFUL Christmas in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza」開催！ . NCT WISH collaborates with DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, members appear at one-night-only Christmas event . 2024-11-20 . PR Times . ja-JP.
7. Web site: ja:週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2024年12月09日付. Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking December 9, 2024. https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2024-12-09/p/2/. Oricon. 2. ja. December 4, 2024. December 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241204040101/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2024-12-09/p/2/.
8. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of December 4, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. December 4, 2024.