Hot Sauce (song)

"Hot Sauce" was composed by Martin Wave, Tinashe Sibanda, Philip Kembo, Rosina "Soaky Siren" Russell, John Mitchell, Ninos Hanna, Yoo Young-jin, while production was handled by Lee Soo-man.{{Cite web|date=May 10, 2021|title=Credits / Hot Sauce - The 1st Album|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/182748203/credits|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601061023/https://listen.tidal.com/album/182748203/credits|archive-date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Tidal|language=en}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Hot Sauce|others=NCT Dream|year=2021|at=Credits|type=photobook|publisher=SM Entertainment, Dreamus|location=South Korea}} Musically, the song is described as "Latin music with Afrobeat-tinged hip-hop song".{{Cite news|last=Dong|first=Sun-hwa|date=May 10, 2021|title=Why is 'Hot Sauce' so precious to NCT DREAM?|work=The Korea Times|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/05/732_308608.html|access-date=June 1, 2021|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514010717/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/05/732_308608.html|url-status=live}} It features a "minimal track contrast with repetitive chanting and chilling vibes in the chorus".{{Cite news|last=Hong|first=Hye-min|date=April 21, 2021|title=|script-title=ko:NCT DREAM, 새 타이틀 곡은 '맛'|language=ko|trans-title=NCT DREAM, New Title Track 'Hot Sauce'|work=Hankook Ilbo|url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2021042109340001649|access-date=June 1, 2021}} The track was composed in the key of F-sharp major, with a tempo of 100 beats per minute.{{Cite web|title=Key & BPM for Hot Sauce by NCT DREAM|url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Hot-Sauce-NCT-DREAM/6B8MM3PVQtUbZLay7tP7er|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601161618/https://tunebat.com/Info/Hot-Sauce-NCT-DREAM/6B8MM3PVQtUbZLay7tP7er|archive-date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Tunebat}}

Kim Sung-yeop of IZM noted the song as it "expresses only the passionate energy and playful, kitsch charm of NCT Dream", adding that it does not match any of the group's existing styles and has a clear presence as the first song to mark a new beginning.{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Sung-yeop|date=May 2021|title=Neo Music Communication IZM|script-title=ko:맛 (Hot Sauce) 리뷰|trans-title=Hot Sauce Review|url=http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30683&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517194828/http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30683&bigcateidx=1&subcateidx=3&view_tp=1|archive-date=May 17, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=IZM|language=ko}} Rhian Daly of NME described the track as "vibrant and exuberant", further adding that "the very SM experimentalism that courses through it elevates it into something more weighty and developed".{{Cite web|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=May 14, 2021|title=NCT Dream – 'Hot Sauce' review: a spicy and sweet smorgasbord from the youngest of SM's boyband clan|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/nct-dream-hot-sauce-review-2940754|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516034827/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/nct-dream-hot-sauce-review-2940754|archive-date=May 16, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=NME|language=en}}

"Hot Sauce" was ranked among the best K-pop songs of 2021 by Spotify (5th),{{Cite web |last=Suacillo |first=Angela Patricia |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Spotify names aespa's 'Next Level' as the best K-pop song of 2021 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/spotify-names-aespa-next-level-best-k-pop-song-of-2021-3123584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221124233/https://www.nme.com/news/music/spotify-names-aespa-next-level-best-k-pop-song-of-2021-3123584 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} Billboard (7th),{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=December 17, 2021 |title=25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics' Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-kpop-songs-2021-year-end/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218030559/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-kpop-songs-2021-year-end/ |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2021}} Young Post (8th),{{cite magazine |last1=Tamang |first1=Angelika |last2=Mook |first2=Janice |last3=Lu |first3=Clara Ki |date=December 20, 2021 |title=15 best K-pop songs of 2021: BTS' Butter, Lisa's Lalisa, IU's Celebrity, Itzy's Loco and more |url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3160440/15-best-k-pop-songs-2021-bts-butter-lisas-lalisa |magazine=Young Post |access-date=December 27, 2021}} and Dazed (20th).{{cite web |date=December 20, 2021 |title=The best K-pop tracks of 2021 |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/55109/1/the-best-k-pop-tracks-of-2021 |access-date=December 20, 2021 |website=Dazed}} CNN Philippines included it as a honorable mention.{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2021 |title=Our favorite K-pop songs of 2021 |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/Music/2021/12/23/kpop-best-of-2021.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224044033/https://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/Music/2021/12/23/kpop-best-of-2021.html |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |access-date=December 25, 2021 |website=CNN Philippines |language=en}}

"Hot Sauce" debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart with chart issue dated May 9–15, 2021, giving the group their first number-one song on the chart.{{cite web|date=May 9–15, 2021|title=|script-title=ko:2021년 20주차 Digital Chart|trans-title=2021, Week 20 Digital Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=20&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520020956/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=20&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week|archive-date=May 20, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=|publisher=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko}}{{Cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=May 20, 2021|title=NCT Dream Scores Their First No. 1 Hit In Korea With 'Hot Sauce'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/05/20/nct-dream-scores-their-first-no-1-hit-in-korea-with-hot-sauce/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210530121732/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/05/20/nct-dream-scores-their-first-no-1-hit-in-korea-with-hot-sauce/?sh=104ebef34964|archive-date=May 30, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}} The song entered the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 at number 39, and peaked at number 18.{{Cite magazine|title=Billboard K-Pop 100 – The Week of May 22, 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-05-22|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520034409/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-05-22|archive-date=May 20, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite magazine|title=Billboard K-Pop 100 – The Week of May 29, 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-05-29|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529092223/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-05-29|archive-date=May 29, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}

In the United States, "Hot Sauce" debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales.{{Cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=May 24, 2021|title=Monsta X, Baekhyun, NCT Dream And Arash Refresh Nearly Half Of This Week's World Songs Chart|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/05/24/monsta-x-baekhyun-nct-dream-and-arash-refresh-nearly-half-of-this-weeks-world-songs-chart/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210531030509/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2021/05/24/monsta-x-baekhyun-nct-dream-and-arash-refresh-nearly-half-of-this-weeks-world-songs-chart/?sh=437ec7b54a2b|archive-date=May 31, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}} The single debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Global 200 making it the first song in three languages to enter the chart.{{Cite magazine|last=Frankenberg|first=Erik|date=May 19, 2021|title=NCT Dream Celebrates First Trilingual Hit on Global 200 With 'Hot Sauce'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9575230/nct-dream-hot-sauce-debuts-on-global-charts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519231603/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9575230/nct-dream-hot-sauce-debuts-on-global-charts|archive-date=May 19, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} The song also debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Global Excl. US.{{Cite magazine|title=Billboard Global Excl. US – The Week of May 22, 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-excl-us/2021-05-22|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519154535/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-excl-us/2021-05-22|archive-date=May 19, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}

On the year-end charts, Hot Sauce became NCT Dream and NCT's first entry on the yearly Gaon Digital Chart.

The music video for "Hot Sauce" is set in a taqueria where the group are tasting their own specialty hot sauce and begins pouring the spicy dressing all over their food.{{Cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=May 10, 2021|title=NCT Dream Drop 'Hot Sauce' Debut Album & Music Video: Stream Now|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9570141/nct-dream-debut-album-hot-sauce-stream|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205756/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9570141/nct-dream-debut-album-hot-sauce-stream|archive-date=May 10, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Yeo|first=Gladys|date=May 10, 2021|title=Watch NCT Dream take over a taqueria in whimisical 'Hot Sauce' music video|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nct-dream-hot-sauce-comeback-first-studio-album-2933786|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601092456/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nct-dream-hot-sauce-comeback-first-studio-album-2933786|archive-date=June 1, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=NME|language=en-GB}} Following the music video's release, Gladys Yeo of NME described it as a "vibrant and whimsical video". Tássia Assis of Teen Vogue noted the "psychedelic TV ad-meets-taquería" of the visual.{{Cite web|last=Assis|first=Tássia|date=May 10, 2021|title=NCT Dream Is All Grown Up and Ready to Show What They Can Do|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nct-dream-talk-new-album-hot-sauce-interview-2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510163026/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nct-dream-talk-new-album-hot-sauce-interview-2021|archive-date=May 10, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=Teen Vogue|language=en-US}} NCT Dream released two dance practice videos on May 23, 2021.

"Hot Sauce" received eight music program awards, including a triple crown on M Countdown. It was nominated for Best Dance Performance – Male Group at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards.{{cite web |last=Basbas |first=Franchesca Judine |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Here are the nominees for the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards – BTS, IU, TXT, DAY6, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, NCT 127, AESPA, and more |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/how-to-watch-vote-mama-nominees-mnet-asian-music-awards-list-bts-iu-twice-txt-seventeen-aespa-nct-daesang-bonsang-k-pop-2021 |access-date=November 3, 2021 |work=Bandwagon Asia}}

Global entertainment company SmartStudy released a Pinkfong-style version of "Hot Sauce" on May 28, 2021, at 7:00PM KST (UTC+09:00).{{Cite news|date=May 27, 2021|title=Pinkfong Releases Official Animated Music Video for NCT DREAM's 'Hot Sauce'|work=Yahoo! Finance|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pinkfong-releases-official-animated-music-013000650.html|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=June 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601161615/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pinkfong-releases-official-animated-music-013000650.html|url-status=live}} According to the chief executive officer of SmartStudy, Kim Min-seok, said that they "have created a special gift for all families and fans out there, regardless of age", further adding that they are "always looking to create opportunities" where they can bring joy to their fans around the world and across generations.{{Cite news|last=Hicap|first=Jonathan|date=May 28, 2021|title=Pinkfong to release animated music video of NCT Dream's 'Hot Sauce' tonight|work=Manila Bulletin|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/28/pinkfong-to-release-animated-music-video-of-nct-dreams-hot-sauce-tonight/|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527231713/https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/28/pinkfong-to-release-animated-music-video-of-nct-dreams-hot-sauce-tonight/|url-status=live}} The version features a special episode of NCT Dream appearing as Pinkfong dinosaur characters that crash-landed in the Age of Dinosaurs.{{Cite news|last=Byun|first=Hye-jin|date=May 28, 2021|title=Smartstudy drops animated version of NCT Dream's 'Hot Sauce'|work=The Korea Herald|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210528000762|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=May 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531035403/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210528000762|url-status=live}} Korean and English versions of the animation videos were released.{{Cite news|last=Yong|first=Won-jung|date=May 27, 2021|title=|script-title=ko:NCT DREAM 멤버들, 핑크퐁 캐릭터로 탄생...'맛' 애니영상 공개|language=ko|trans-title=NCT DREAM Members, Born as Pinkfong Characters, Release of 'Hot Sauce' Animation Film|work=Single List|url=http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=254426|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526234625/http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=254426|url-status=live}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Hot Sauce.

• SM Booming System{{spaced en dash}}recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing
• SM Yellow Tail Studio{{spaced en dash}}recording, engineered for mix
• SM Blue Cup Studio{{spaced en dash}}mixing
• 821 Sound Mastering{{spaced en dash}}mastering

{{div col}}

• SM Entertainment{{spaced en dash}}executive producer
• Lee Soo-man{{spaced en dash}}producer
• NCT Dream {{Spaced en dash}}vocals
• Haechan{{Spaced en dash}}background vocals
• Renjun{{Spaced en dash}}background vocals
• Moon Yeo-reum{{Spaced en dash}}lyrics
• Jo Yoon-kyung{{Spaced en dash}}lyrics
• Martin Wave{{Spaced en dash}}composition, arrangement
• Tinashe Sibanda{{Spaced en dash}}composition
• Philip "Dr. Chaii" Kembo{{Spaced en dash}}composition, arrangement
• Rosina "Soaky Siren" Russell{{Spaced en dash}}composition
• John Mitchell{{Spaced en dash}}composition
• Ninos Hanna{{Spaced en dash}}composition
• Yoo Young-jin{{Spaced en dash}}composition, arrangement, vocal directing, recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing, music and sound supervisor
• Bantu{{Spaced en dash}}arrangement
• Kenzie{{Spaced en dash}}vocal directing
• Junny{{Spaced en dash}}background vocals
• No Min-ji{{Spaced en dash}}recording, engineered for mix
• Jung Yu-ra{{Spaced en dash}}digital editing
• Jeong Eui-seok{{Spaced en dash}}mixing
• Kwon Nam-woo{{spaced en dash}}mastering

{{div col end}}

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• List of Music Bank Chart winners (2021)

{{reflist}}

{{NCT Dream}}

Category:2021 singles

Category:2021 songs

Category:Gaon Digital Chart number-one singles

Category:NCT Dream songs

Category:SM Entertainment singles

Category:Songs written by Tinashe Sibanda

Category:Songs written by Yoo Young-jin

Category:Songs with lyrics by Jo Yoon-kyung