Songs I Didn’t Care About Until I Saw NCT DREAM Perform Them Live

Or alternatively title, My Fave NCT Dream Songs Part 2.

Now, some of these songs I didn’t add to my first list because they didn’t exist then, like DREAM()SCAPE ones. But basically we’re covering those and some oldies. There’s a mix of songs that they performed that I’ve already covered in my first article, like “Go” and “Fireflies”.

Maannn “Fireflies” was phenomenal live. The bass and hype during that song was fantastic. That is a song meant for live performances. Felt like being at an EDM concert. Anyway, make sure you check that article out after you’ve read this one.

The ones with * in the heading are the songs that NCT DREAM (I use all caps on these group names when I remember, sorry for the inconsistency of it, lmao) performed live when I saw them in Duluth (Atlanta) September 19th 2024, that I wasn’t really checking before the show, but now I love. Hence, the title of this article.

I’ve been meaning to do a follow-up article and DREAM()SCAPE sparked that interest, but the concert really had the cogs turning in my brain. It was such a fantastic show.

That hoodie is one of the most comfortable merch items I have ever owned, btw. This was my second NCT concert, well third if you count SUPERM, which I do because that was basically an NCT unit. But the first time I saw the Dreamies.

Renjun unfortunately wasn’t in attendance, but I think they did an excellent job working around that. For me, it really reminded me how amazing of a vocalist Chenle is because I’m pretty sure most of Renjun’s parts went to him. It also was a great opportunity to see Jaemin as a performer and what he brings to Dream.

When I first became a Dream stan, he was actually on a break due to an injury, so I spent the first couple of NCT Dream comebacks without him. And because I fell off Dream for a bit, I didn’t really get to see his growth as a musician or performer like the other members. Like Jeno had that collab with Key from SHINee on “Villain”.

Mark and Haechan are in 127, so I was still keeping an eye on them because I was still following 127 closely. And Jisung, Chenle and Renjun I felt have always had a decent amount of visibility in Dream songs, so I didn’t feel like my opinions have changed much on them. Other than, they continue to kill it out there. But Jaemin really stood out to me, the rizz is there. Shout out to the Jaemin girlies, y’all are winning.

I’m so incredibly excited for this next album they’re already teasing. I remember Mark said it would be like Hello Future. A mix of cute and sexy concepts. I wasn’t really taking any notes. But I can’t wait to see ot7 live next time they’re in town 🤞🏾🤞🏾. These songs aren’t in order of favorites. I tried to go along with performance order at my show. Give or take. I went to both Spotify and Setlist FM to confirm I had the correct songs performed. So let’s get into it.

Smoothie

Now idk if Smoothie really counts, because I said there were parts of it I liked of it in my last Monthly Faves article. But it was like during “Go” I think, and I had this thought out of nowhere that was, “I can’t wait to see Smoothie.”

Like WHAT?? Where did that come from? And ever since my show I’ve been listening to it. The live performance of it was S tier. I love the choreo for this song. Easily one of my favorite NCT DREAM choreographies, ever.

UNKNOWN

Whyyyy why wasn’t this on the setlist. I needed this live. It’s such a beautiful and motivational song.

Missed opportunity here. SMH. Also, why can’t I embed a single tweet, maybe I don’t want the whole thread included, Elon. Sheesh. Next song.

icantfeelanything & BOX

I’m a little salty we didn’t get a live performance of “icantfeelanything”, but I’m glad she was mentioned, lol. And the transition to “BOX“? Chef’s Kiss. Shout Out to this user on YouTube who posted this video with both songs from the concert in Seoul.

I talked about both of these songs in my March 2024 Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts article. My thoughts are pretty much the same. “BOX” is still my favorite song off the album. Then “UNKNOWN” and “icantfeelanything” round out my top 3.

Breathing

“Breathing” is also that girl. Love love love the vocals on this one. I immediately added this one to my Midtempo Chill Kpop songs playlist. This album really brought my love for the Dreamies back 😭.

Poison

I forgot how freakin good this song is. I’ve had it on repeat since the concert. Actually like two days before the concert. I’ve talked about how “1,2,3” is one of my favorite DREAM songs, period. Everyone needs to hear this song.

This what the Dreamies sound like now. If there’s one song I need y’all to check out on this list, it’s this one. And Haechan’s look in this thumbnail? OMG???? Look at him!!! That eyeshadow and lense combo going on here? Amazing.

Moonlight

Completely unrelated to the show. When I was preparing for my show, I started listening to all my saved NCT DREAM songs on Spotify, and I fell so hard in love with “Moonlight” again. I’ve had morning where I either have a Jaehyun song like “Can’t Get You” stuck in my head first thing when I wake up. Or this song.

Arcade*

Alright, our first song that I care about now that I’ve seen it live. I don’t remember Glitch Mode too much, other than I remember not loving the title track, “Glitch Mode”.

So I think I need to go back and revisit this album. But I was totally sold on “Arcade”. I tend to like these more R&B DREAM songs, so not too surprising I’d like this one.

Bungee*

This is such a fun, upbeat track. This was a lot of fun to dance around to live. I think I need to revisit this album too.

Walk With You*

I can’t believe this Christmass ass song was on the set list, lmao. I do really enjoy this one. I started listening to it before the show. I decided I liked it, but it wasn’t until I looked at the set list from shows before mine that I realized it was on the set list.

I was just listening to it next to “Ridin” and “Stronger” on my playlist, lol. The set layout during this song was cute. Snow covered trees in the video playing in the background behind the boys. It was very holly jolly in the middle of September. Technically summer still, lol.

Never Goodbye*

I straight up do not remember ever hearing this song. It’s so good. A bit of a sad song. I feel like because of how close this show was to the news of Taeil being a literal pile of garbage disguised as a human being, it hit me that the members were still having to go and face fans as all this was/is as of writing, going down. So that sucks. But not this song, tho.

Yogurt Shake*

Another banger I’ve added to my likes. It makes me smile. Simply that.

Pretzel*

Someone was starving when they were working on this album, huh. Another album I’m gonna revisit to at some point. “Pretzel” also makes me smile. It’s a fun song. My favorite part is the “bite down” and other adlibs throughout the song.

Candy*

Now, I’ve heard this song before, because this is off the same album as “Tangerine Love”. And “Walk With You”, of course. But “Tangerine Love” was my favorite song off this album on my first listen. I like “Candy”. It’s got that New Jack Swing and 1st gen Kpop sound to it.

Idk why I wasn’t really feeling this back when it released. But seeing it live changed my mind. Also, this video is so cute. I love a Christmas Kpop music video. I gotta add this to my holiday videos list.

Better Than Gold*

I was shook when I heard “Better Than Gold” live. I think I was so under the impression NCT DREAM wasn’t really making the music I used to love by them. But that wasn’t true.

It’s just been buried in the b-sides. And I think when I stop having such a specific style I want from them, I have more fun with their music. Gotta stay open-minded. And again, sometimes songs need time to marinate.

Hello Future*

Pardon my language but this song fooking slaps. I really like the choreo in “Hello Future” as well. I think I was just in my ATEEZ/Stray Kids era during this time. I was missing out on the Dreamies. Or rather, I didn’t see the vision.

I love this song now.

Broken Melodies*

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH how have I been sleepin on this??? The second song I want y’all to take away from this article if you weren’t already listening to it. The chorus is wonderful. How can one sing “I hate singing” so angelically. It’s not fair. I

‘m obsessed with this one. I love the scenes with the boys on the football field. I also love a preppy outfit moment, and this video is laced with them. Oooo and I just found this behind the scenes video of them recording “Broken Melodies”? Let’s goooo.

ISTJ*

Today we learned Ashliegh is an ISTJ stan fr. I’ve never seen the music video for “ISTJ”. What a wild ride. The styling is bad but in a good way. Not all of it is bad. But like in the thumbnail for example, bad. But I like it. Especially Jeno’s fit. Renjun’s got on like six fur scarfs and some pajams on with two silver chains. What the heck is going on? It’s camp. I’m living.

The lyrics to “ISTJ” are interesting. I just love this ride we’re on with this song and video. Are any of y’all an ISTJ on that MBTI thing? Do you relate to anything in this song? LOL. I’m an ENFJ-A. I feel like no one in the West really cares about MBTIs but I know it was pretty big in Korea for a bit there.

Rains in Heaven*

Oh! I didn’t realize how new this is new song is. Bro. We’re soooo back. AHHHHHHHHH. The harmonies, the choreo, those white outfits. Ultimate slayage.

Honorable Mentions

“Dream Run”, “Like We Just Met”, and “Skateboard” get honorable mentions. I saved them to my likes after seeing them performed live. But they aren’t ones I think I’ll have on repeat like the other songs on this list. But I have much more appreciation for them since the show.

Okay, on to our last song of the article.

ANL*

I vaguely remember this song from my one time listen through of Hot Sauce. I didn’t like it that much. Hot Sauce and “Hot Sauce” that is. But this was one of the few songs I was like, “Eh yeah, this one’s alright. I’ll add it to my liked songs”. And then I didn’t listen to it again until the concert three years later, lmao.

I love when I change my mind on songs. Sometimes it truly needs to marinate before it clicks for me. I’m also a firm believer that sometimes songs aren’t at their fullest potential until you hear them live. We also learned I love ISTJ more than I realized. It just took me over a year to get it. But now it’s technically my favorite NCT DREAM album. I have every song on it saved.

I almost didn’t go to this show because I wasn’t “fully” feeling the set list. But I’m so happy I went. I ended up discovering/rediscovering “new” songs to run into the ground. I still want “1,2,3” live though. Idk when it was last performed, but do it again, I wasn’t there at that show lmao.

If you missed my Fave NCT Dream Songs article, you can find that here. And if you’re craving for more NCT related articles. I have tooons of them on the site. NCT 127, WayV, NCT DREAM, and what I call NCT unspecified. This has other subunits like DOJAEJUNG and solos. Sorry, no WISH yet.

Anyway, what are some NCT DREAM songs y’all changed your mind on? Or maybe skipped over. Tell me in the comments. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads. I’m trying to post a bit more on Threads as well.

Next up is my fave 2NE1 songs in preparation and manifestation for an ATLANTA show next year 🙏🏾 🧎🏾‍♀️🧎🏾‍♀️. I’m sooo happy my girls are back. I’ll talk more about that in their article.

Until then,

Take care!

Ash💫