NCT Dream's latest title track, "Smoothie," has ignited a heated discussion among fans, showcasing differing opinions on the group's musical evolution.

A post titled "NCT Dream is really frustrating" on the popular online forum Pann has gained significant traction, criticizing "Smoothie" for deviating from the group's previous brighter tracks.

With references to beloved releases like "Hello Future" and "Candy," the post has amassed over 54,000 views, 115 comments, and 230 likes, reflecting widespread sentiments among fans.

Debating Musical Themes

The core issue under debate revolves around whether NCT Dream should maintain their cheerful, upbeat style or venture into new, darker themes as showcased in "Smoothie."

Some fans yearn for the group's earlier light-hearted hits, while others embrace the diversity in styles, viewing it as a demonstration of artistic range and innovation.

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Divergent Fan Perspectives

The fanbase exhibits a noticeable divide, with newer fans drawn to NCT Dream's darker sound, exemplified by "Boom," while long-time supporters express nostalgia for the group's refreshing tracks.

Concerns about overlap with other NCT units' recent releases also surface, adding complexity to the discourse.

Netizens' Reactions

Comments from Korean netizens reflect the spectrum of opinions:

• "There are hardly any fans clamoring for refreshing songs anymore. There are quite a few new fans because of ‘Boom,' but not everyone is into the refreshing vibe, you know? Honestly, it's more frustrating every time."
• "Seriously, what kind of song has no melody at all? It's really frustrating."
• "Honestly, the song is too niche... It seems like they've completely given up on mainstream appeal. Well, I guess as long as the fans like it since it's all about fan sales anyway."
• "Maybe it's because ‘Boom' is my all-time favorite, but I think this new song is one of their best. Honestly, they've done a lot of refreshing songs, and ‘Wish' just released a refreshing track a few days ago, so it might overlap."
• "Surprisingly, there were a lot of new fans during the hiatus (I'm one of those who became a fan because of ‘Boom'). Refreshing songs are nice, but I think intense performances are fundamental..."

In recent news, K-pop fans expressed frustration online after SM Entertainment's alleged "media play" regarding NCT Dream's achievements. The controversy stemmed from a report by Sports Seoul comparing NCT Dream to BTS and EXO, citing their consecutive Daesang wins and album sales.

Korean netizens criticized the report, accusing SM of manipulation and questioning NCT Dream's legitimacy compared to BTS and EXO. International fans also joined in, labeling NCT Dream as "forced" and criticizing the credibility of award shows like the Seoul Music Awards.

The backlash highlighted tensions within the K-pop community over perceived favoritism and media manipulation.

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Written by Cassidy Jones.