NCT is a group made up of multiple fixed subunits, including NCT 127, NCT DREAM, and WayV. A unique feature of the group is that through the NCT U unit, any configuration of members can appear on a track.
NCT U “Baggy Jeans” unit | SM Entertainment NCT U “Universe (Let’s Play Ball)” unit | SM Entertainment
Earlier this year, fans were thrilled to discover that all of NCT’s active units would appear together in a concert for the first time. The limited concert series NCT NATION: TO THE WORLD took place in Japan and Korea in September and October, respectively.
| SM Entertainment
As a bonus, shortly after it was announced that NCT would be going to the big screen, giving fans worldwide a chance to see the performances.
However, following some screenings of NCT NATION: To The World In Cinemas, fans have heavily criticized SM Entertainment for multiple problems with the film.
| SM Entertainment
To start, fans did not like that the movie would only be shown two times, December 6 in the evening and December 10 in the afternoon. This complaint was only mild as many understood that a limited engagement was not unusual for a film with a specific audience but felt they could have been timed better.
The NCT Nation concert lasted around four hours, and with the movie’s play time being only 1 hour and 43 minutes, most were aware that songs would be cut for the sake of time.
| Fandango
Due to time differences, some countries saw the film ahead of others and reported on what they saw, expressing disappointment with what songs were included in the film.
NCT Nation allowed fans to get live performances of the non-title track NCT U songs. However, ten out of the 19 tracks in the movie are from fixed units or soloists, “PADO” being the only non-promoted B-side included.
เท่าที่คนบอกลิสมาว่ามีเพลงไรบ้าง มีแค่ที่ไฮไลท์สีเขียวอ่ะ ตัดสะบัดเลย! เซงงงง #NCTtoTheWorld pic.twitter.com/Z61IpRC5Rc
— 𝑍ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑎ℎ 𝐽 ᴮᴬ ᵀᵒᵈ’ˢ (@ZeusOfGimpo) December 5, 2023
they took out some of my favorite songs who edited this movie??? why would you take out the 7th sense and resonance, those are very staple NCT U songs. and they took out DOJAEJUNG????? pic.twitter.com/tV3LNtvBpl
— andrea (@nctyofstars) December 5, 2023
Of the fixed unit songs, NCT 127’s most recent track at the time of the concert, “Ay-Yo,” is not included. The included NCT U tracks in the movies also created a screen time issue.
For example, Jaemin appears in 4 tracks, not including the whole group numbers, while Taeyong appears in 7, sans the group numbers. While no one wishes for members to get less screen time, fans felt SM Entertainment could have made a more significant effort to make sure all were more equally represented.
so yuta has only 6 lines in the whole movie then https://t.co/lz8dZFIBWH pic.twitter.com/RUpMEIRKo3
— keeks ✘ (@dpryuta) December 6, 2023
Another issue that fans have reported is that there were no real behind-the-scenes clips or special interviews. In comparison, the NCT DREAM movie that aired earlier this year featured interviews with the members that went beyond the concert preparation.
the dream show 2 movie
mark haechan
“he’s a friend who does things/work maturely. and for that, i respect him” pic.twitter.com/LgNDjA5FJC
— 앤 (@summerboys9900) August 30, 2023
this is the list of songs in the nct nation movie. there are apparently no behind the scenes and no special interviews with the members. there is an interview with fans and also animation but most of it is just purely the concert (with many songs cut out) https://t.co/OXRN47GENH
— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) December 5, 2023
Finally, fans were surprised that Taeil, currently on hiatus following his leg injury, was not included in the film’s credits or clips, though his voice is heard on backtracks. Hendery‘s name was also misspelled in the credits.
excluding taeil on the credits, used his voices as the back track, did not include taeil practice videos in the movie.
is this the way how you treat the most talented singer in your company? what a joke.#SMTreatTAEILFairly @SMTOWNGLOBAL @NCTsmtown_127 pic.twitter.com/VX4ejUhq9v
— ☾ (@taeil_zip) December 6, 2023
After hearing of all these issues, fans complained online, with some even canceling their tickets.
why would u make an nct nation movie and then exclude over half of the nct u songs like is that not the whole point of nct nation…. IDC ABOUT THE FIXED UNIT SONGS WE SEE THOSE ALL THE TIME GIVE ME CALL D GIVE ME THE BAT pic.twitter.com/1NN1tzuLIW
— riv loves johnyu (@suhnf1ower) December 5, 2023
nct nation concert movie scamming people in broad daylight … who wants to go there and not see the bat jeno. NOT ME!
— j✦ (@liejienuo) December 5, 2023
i knew nct nation movie was just a cash grab for SM but they could’ve put a little effort in at least pic.twitter.com/HiUIiGbNOS
— keeks ✘ (@dpryuta) December 6, 2023
cancel your nct nation ticket friends !! get those refunds !!!!!! it aint worth it bc this is a cash grab !!!! save for dreamies new album !!!
— ً (@jmjnfile) December 6, 2023
