Can you talk about the image nct members were/are supposed to have vs how they actually are? I’d love to hear your view on all of that (I think the topic’s super interesting). You can be as vague or detailed as you want 😬☺️
+As always, these are my opinions / thoughts/ observations & are meant to be taken very lightly. It’s not that deep. 💚
Taeil: I don’t think he was given an obvious set image. The oldest member always has their own role to fulfill within a group dynamic, and I think Taeil is doing a great job. I kind of think SM knew he would be teased, especially because he’s an easygoing man. They let him handle all of that by letting the chemistry with his members happen naturally. It makes the group feel a little bit like a family that you’re a part of, in my opinion, and he’s the reason for it. In the beginning, they asked him a lot about his life before he was an idol, almost as if they were trying to put him in the role of an academic who chose to live out his passions instead. It’s definitely an admirable thing to follow your dreams and is bound to inspire a lot of people out there. Also, it looks good for SM as a company. As for Taeil’s personality, I definitely think we’re seeing mostly all of it. I want to say that I don’t see him as someone who has anything to hide, but music is important to him and there is no telling how passion can sometimes rule over people. Other than that, to me, he seems really simple and free in his interests.
Johnny: I can’t tell if Johnny has an image, or not. I think his confidence plays a big part of how he wants to appear, but I also think that is partly his choice. He’s always been really friendly and extroverted according to his pre-debut stuff. He’s an interesting man, I will say that. He’s trained longer than the others, working himself the hardest, and yet he did not quit. His strength is unimaginable, and to be honest, it takes someone really patient and in love with what they do to be able to withstand all of that. I think, because of that, a lot of the members look up to him. Even though he’s the second oldest, I’ve noticed that he has become the pillar for a lot of members. He’s got a very fatherly way about him, but the kind of dad that will only give you half of the advice and tell you to go and figure out the rest for yourself.
Taeyong: He’s something of an enigma, to me. You can clearly see his role as a leader as his main image. I think it’s something he takes very seriously. He’s trained well for it, because I doubt pre-debut Taeyong could even lead himself. He’s a very emotional and complicated person, and I think he can get very scatter-brained if he doesn’t reign himself in. We have the cool image, the leader, the main rapper, with the attractive face. Everyone’s eyes always go to him first, myself included, and I definitely think it’s a part of the man SM created. The real Taeyong, as you know, is so different from his on-stage persona. Like, I can’t figure out how one man has that much charisma when he’s performing, but then when he leaves the stage, it’s like he shrinks back into himself. I’ve rarely seen any idol like him (but they do exist!). He’s so incredibly soft and child-like when he’s just being who he is. Also, he’s like really weird in the most endearing way. He’s definitely the dorky kid that suddenly got popular, but who hasn’t forgotten his heart. He still leads really well, but there are moments where I can see how other members push him forward to be the man he wants to be.
Yuta: I think he fits the “Foreign Member” mold pretty well. I know the main reason NCT exists is to showcase how music transcends culture, but I always feel like SM has a foreign member quota to fill just so they can make more money in other countries. I know they have a history of not treating their foreign members as fairly if they don’t find value in them. So far, Yuta is the only Japanese member. His culture is not and will never be an image to him, and I think he takes that very seriously. He’s very proud of where he comes from, and it shows so beautifully in everything he does. Other than that, I don’t think he has an image. I think Yuta is exactly who he says he is. I think he performs really well as a strong member, both visually and vocally, and I think it is something that comes naturally. The only thing that ever throws me off about him is his “Resting Bitch Face” but I know that doesn’t give any indication of how he is feeling. To me, his personality is really sweet and very considerate of others. He also has a really feminine way about him, and I’m sure it’s attributed to his mother somehow. I see him as someone that is very caring and really takes the time out to listen to how his members are feeling. He’s a good man and an even better friend.
Kun: His image was given to him by the NCT members, mostly the younger ones. They gave him the role of the mother because he cooks, takes care of people, and is mature in the sense that he takes his job very seriously. He resists that image a lot, even though I believe it’s partly true. Kun’s need to be seen as a strong male figure is interesting and I think that’s because he’s taken on a lot of pressure over the years to be what he thinks his idea of cool is. I do think he finds enjoyment in the younger members poking fun at him, because he has a lot of leader-like qualities and poking fun of a leader makes them feel wanted. Eventually, he’ll stop resisting and accept that he’s always going to be a bit more rigid than the others. I think the more he ages and gets experience, he’ll use the motherly role to his advantage. Kun has a lot of power inside of him that hasn’t had the chance to be seen, or heard. I would watch out for him. If leaders were two sides of a coin, Taeyong would be one side, Kun the other.
Doyoung: The real Doyoung is his image. I feel like SM let him be himself, knowing that a lot of fans would respond well to him because of how relatable he is. He’s not the strongest dancer and he lets people know that, and by letting people know that, it works in his favor. I definitely don’t think that was the original plan, but seeing Doyoung in the first season of NCT Life probably made SM realize that they can’t stifle someone like him. His character is quite unique and we’re always graced with the way he is feeling: annoyance at something Taeyong has said, the way he hates being made fun of but eventually gives in to the laughter, and how he chooses Jeno as his favorite, because Jeno is the only one that listens to him. He’s got serious younger brother syndrome, to be honest. I know a lot of people might not like how overbearing he can be, but it’s why he works so well within the group. Doyoung is another pillar, like Johnny, but in a more emotional way. He keeps everything together and running smoothly.
Ten: I’m sure the original plan for Ten was to make him this cool rapper. When I watch The 7th Sense MV, I often forget I’m looking at Ten. The way his hair is and the way he’s dressed are so far removed from the Ten we know today. Those things felt more like a costume he was trying on. I am so glad SM let him release his own stations and explore different sides of himself. WayV aside, Ten seems so much happier making the music he wants to make. Like, he shines a hell of a lot brighter when he’s doing his own thing. I see him as someone who has always known what he wants. I think there are periods in everyone’s life where they challenge who they are with who they want to be, and I think that’s something he went through. I can sense a lot of pain in his transformation and acceptance of self, but the happiness that came out of it makes all of that worth it. I think he’s lightened up a lot over the years. He’s a lot less emo than he used to be.
Jaehyun: I mentioned that he plays the part of the boyfriend you wish you had. He’s meant to make you fall in love with him because of how good looking and soft he is. He’s the man you have a crush on for years but can’t tell him because you believe he is out of your league. SM loves to create this fantasy because they know it will push fans to try and attain him. In a way, they’re selling a product and you are buying it every time. He’s probably one of the only members who have kept up the charade for a really long time. I don’t think he’s entirely invested in his image, because we do see pieces of him here and there, but I think he follows the rules well and doesn’t like to disappoint people. In reality, I think he’s not as perfect (which is normal). I think he can be unintentionally abrasive and probably super pessimistic. He definitely seems like someone who lets things get to him too easily, and he probably beats himself up a lot. I can see him as someone who has slightly strange interests, as well. I also think he’s probably really fun to talk to.
WinWin: His image seems like a mixed bag: he’s foreign, he’s flexible, he is a dancer, and he is as cute as a button. Also, he was born ridiculously handsome, which plays a part in his popularity. I think SM tried to make him appear “cool” at one point, but it was WinWin’s real reactions to things that won fans over. It’s no surprise that a lot of people gravitate to him, either. He has a lot of good energy surrounding him, and you can see it in how the members act around him. I don’t think SM gives Sicheng enough any credit for all of the fans he’s pulled in over the years, as well as all of the work he’s put in since he debuted. All of that aside, I think WinWin’s personality runs a lot deeper than what we’ve seen. I think he definitely hides a lot of his truth from the cameras. He’s more of a thinker than a talker, but he wants his opinions to be heard. I think he’s really stern when he needs to be, and is definitely not as aloof as people perceive him to be. I think he’s aware of what he deserves and he’s just waiting for his time to strike back.
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