NCT 2018 Empathy

Following the announcement and introduction to the group's debut earlier in January 2016 by founder Lee Soo-man, a total of three sub-units debuted subsequently in the same year.{{Cite web|title=S.M. Entertainment continues expansion with New Culture Technology|url=http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201602231707438293945_2|website=kpopherald.koreaherald.com|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520070323/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201602231707438293945_2|url-status=live}} The first sub-unit was NCT U, a rotational sub-unit with different members participating accordingly to the unit's music release which, at the time, saw the first appearance from member Taeil, Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun and Mark. They eventually debuted with a double digital single, containing "The 7th Sense" with the latter five members and "Without You", which were performed by members Taeil, Doyoung and Jaehyun.{{Cite web|title=NCT U confirms lineup, set to unveil singles 'The 7th Sense,' 'Without You'|url=http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201604061758581112853_2|website=kpopherald.koreaherald.com|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143554/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201604061758581112853_2|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=KPOP NEWS - NCT U′s Debut Performance to be Showcased in Korea and China {{!}} Mwave|url=http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/104324/nct-us-debut-performance-to-be-showcased-in-korea-and-china|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819004806/http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article/104324/nct-us-debut-performance-to-be-showcased-in-korea-and-china|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-08-19|date=2016-08-19|access-date=2020-05-11}} The label then introduced NCT 127, the Seoul-based unit with number "127" representing the longitude coordinate of South Korea's capital on July 1 with seven members for its initial line-up: Taeil, Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, and Haechan.{{cite web|title=(UPDATE) #NCT127: SM Entertainment Unveils Members Of New NCT Sub-Unit|url=https://hype.my/2016/113666/nct127-sm-entertainment-unveils-members-of-new-nct-sub-unit/|website=Hype|date=4 July 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2018|archive-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212142102/https://hype.my/2016/113666/nct127-sm-entertainment-unveils-members-of-new-nct-sub-unit/|url-status=live}} Following the label's announcement on December 27, 2016, member Doyoung and then-SR15B member Johnny officially joined the unit, marking with the unit's sophomore extended play later in January 2017.{{cite web|title=NCT 127 to Make Comeback as 9 Member Group|url=http://enewsworld.interest.me/enews/contents.asp?idx=111231&idxType=News|date=December 27, 2016|website=Mwave}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} On August 18, SM Entertainment announced that the third unit would be NCT Dream, the teen-aged unit which consists of seven members: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.{{cite web|title=NCT DREAM, 데뷔곡 '츄잉검' 25일 '엠카'서 첫선|url=http://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916|date=August 19, 2016|website=Naver|publisher=Star Money|language=ko|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415123451/https://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916|url-status=live}} By the end of 2016, fifteen members were introduced officially as part of the unlimited NCT brand. NCT 127 and NCT Dream then continued to promote actively throughout the following year with further releases.

In mid-January, SM Entertainment unveiled NCT 2018, a singular-year project involving all current members of NCT.{{cite web|title=[단독] NCT, 新 대형 프로젝트 컴백 시동…신곡 뮤비위해 출국|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=933151&_REFERER=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.daum.net%2Fsearch%3Fw%3Dnews%26nil_search%3Dbtn%26DA%3DNTB%26enc%3Dutf8%26cluster%3Dy%26cluster_page%3D1%26q%3DNCT|date=January 15, 2018|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=January 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072638/http://www.xportsnews.com/jenter/?ac=article_view&entry_id=933151&_REFERER=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.daum.net%2Fsearch%3Fw%3Dnews%26nil_search%3Dbtn%26DA%3DNTB%26enc%3Dutf8%26cluster%3Dy%26cluster_page%3D1%26q%3DNCT|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|date=March 23, 2018|title=Three NCT Teams Debut on World Digital Song Sales Chart: Your Guide to Each One|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8257671/nct-explained-empathy-album-world-digital-song-sales-chart-127-dream-u|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-date=March 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324051936/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8257671/nct-explained-empathy-album-world-digital-song-sales-chart-127-dream-u|url-status=live}} Through the "NCT 2018 Yearbook #1" video on January 30, the label officially introduced new members Kun, Lucas, and Jungwoo to the current line-up of NCT.{{cite web|title=NCT Unveils 3 New Members; JUNGWOO, KUN and LUCAS!|url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004599958&plink=SEARCH&cooper=SBSNEWSSEARCH|date=January 31, 2018|website=SBS News|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005329/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004599958&plink=SEARCH&cooper=SBSNEWSSEARCH|url-status=live}} Followed by a series of online documentary videos titled NCTmentary as part of the NCT 2018 project, the group shared "NCT Yearbook #2" video via their official YouTube channel on February 5.{{Cite web|url=http://vod.melon.com/video/detail2.htm?mvId=50179733&menuId=27040101|title=NCT Yearbook #1|website=Melon|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605063640/https://vod.melon.com/video/detail2.htm?mvId=50179733&menuId=27040101|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://vod.melon.com/video/detail2.htm?mvId=50179734&menuId=27040101|title=NCT Yearbook #2|website=Melon|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605063644/https://vod.melon.com/video/detail2.htm?mvId=50179734&menuId=27040101|url-status=live}} Prior to their official introduction, member Kun was featured on the Chinese version of "Without You" in April 2016, having performed live with NCT U. The label eventually revealed that the group would release their first large-scale project as a studio album the following day, with all eighteen members participated accordingly to their sub-unit and music project for NCT U.{{Cite web|title=[공식입장] "역대급 스케일"…NCT 2018, 14일 화정체육관 쇼케이스 개최|url=http://mosen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110849915|last=OSEN|date=2018-03-07|website=mosen.mt.co.kr|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-11}}{{Cite web|url=http://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=112&aid=0003000241|title=NCT, 초대형 프로젝트 '2018 NCT'로 컴백…3월 앨범 발매(공식)|date=February 6, 2018|website=Naver|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206101014/http://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid%3D112%26aid%3D0003000241|url-status=live}}

NCT 2018 Empathy consists of fourteen tracks in total, including an instrumental intro and outro and one extended version of a new song. The album also includes five previously released songs for its latter half, namely "The 7th Sense", the Korean and Chinese versions of "Without You" and "Timeless" by NCT U, while "Dream in a Dream" is an English solo record by member Ten, which along with "Timeless" was originally part of the SM Station project. The new recording material includes "Boss", a future-bass hip-hop track with "heavy bass riffs" which is produced by Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Tiffany Fred, Patrick "J. Que" Smith and Yoo Young-jin. With co-writing contribution by member Taeyong and Mark, the song contains the message of how the modern society "needs true empathy" and the unit's aspiration to bring out such empathy. Seven members participated in recording the song: Taeyong, Doyoung, Winwin, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Lucas and Mark.{{Cite web|title=NCT U 태용·도영· 정우, 'BOSS' 티저 공개..매력 만점|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2018021510301514397|date=2018-02-15|website=스타뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525033745/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2018021510301514397|url-status=live}} It is followed by "Baby Don't Stop", an electro-hop, synth-pop track co-produced again by Yoo Young-jin with contribution from producer Matt Schwartz and Ryan S. Jhun. It possesses an "impressive" minimalist sonic composition with "addictive" drum and bass riff, expressing the sensation of an immediate love. It was also co-written by member Taeyong, whom performed the track along with member Ten as NCT U.{{Cite web|title=NCT U, 태용x텐 Baby Dont Stop 뮤비, 27일 先공개 {{!}} 텐아시아|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2018022457014|last=tenasia.hankyung.com|first=Digital|date=2018-02-24|website=텐아시아 연예뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-11}} He also contributed lyrically to the third and final new NCT U record, titled "Yestoday". It was described as a "sorrowful" old-school hip-hop influenced track, with member Taeyong, Doyoung, Lucas and Mark rapping and singing about how "today will eventually become yesterday".{{Cite web|title=NCT U, 'YESTODAY' 뮤직비디오 4월 2일 공개... 어제가 될 오늘|url=http://www.zenithnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=111987|date=2018-03-30|website=제니스글로벌뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2018-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401055536/http://www.zenithnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=111987|url-status=live}}

Other new material for the album includes the tropical-house influenced "Touch" by NCT 127. Produced by production team LDN Noise, Deez and Adrian McKinnon, the song offers a "softer side" for the nine-member unit in comparison to their signature intense hip hop style.{{Cite magazine|title=NCT 127's 'Touch' Video: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8244839/nct-127-touch-video|date=2018-03-13|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519042521/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8244839/nct-127-touch-video|url-status=live}} In contrast, the teen-aged sub-unit NCT Dream also offers their "rebellious" side with the electro-hop bombast of "Go", featuring heavy hi-hats and snare lines that resembles more of a hip hop venture than the group's usual "youthful leanings" of their earlier discography.{{Cite magazine|title=NCT Dream Show Their Rebellious Side With 'Go' Music Video|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8231620/nct-dream-rebellious-side-go-music-video|date=2018-03-05|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509223559/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8231620/nct-dream-rebellious-side-go-music-video|url-status=live}} The rap-centric "Black on Black" is a "booming" electro-dance production featuring roars and "highly distorted" vocals, which credited NCT 2018 as the performers though only the rap-line members (Taeyong, Mark, Lucas) participated in the recording of the song.{{Cite magazine|title=NCT 2018 Drops Beastly 'Black on Black' Performance Featuring All 18 Members|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8347521/nct-2018-black-on-black-video|date=2018-04-18|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519000425/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8347521/nct-2018-black-on-black-video|url-status=live}}

NCT 2018 Empathy was released on March 14, 2018 by their native label SM Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180315000244|title=Global boy band project NCT on attack as full group|date=March 15, 2018|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822081126/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180315000244|url-status=live}} The release was done through many music portals, including MelOn (South Korea) and iTunes (internationally), with physical release provided on the same day as well.{{Cite web|url=http://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10140200|title=NCT 2018 Empathy|date=March 14, 2018|website=Melon|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605063641/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10140200|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=NCT 2018 EMPATHY|date=March 14, 2018|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/nct-2018-empathy/1358690306|website=itunes|language=en-US|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315153301/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nct-2018-empathy/1358690306|url-status=live}} The physical release contains two different versions, namely Reality and Dream with slightly difference on the package design and different group photo booklets.{{Cite web|title=NCT - NCT 2018 Album [NCT 2018EMPATHY] (Random Ver.)|url=https://peachkpop.co.kr/products/nct-nct-2018-empathy|website=www.peachkpop.com|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524100600/https://peachkpop.co.kr/products/nct-nct-2018-empathy|url-status=live}} The digital release also contains an extended version of the album's fifth single "Yestoday" by NCT U.

Featuring members Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, Jungwoo and Lucas (with the latter two members being officially introduced for the first time), the NCT U-leading "Boss" was released as the album's lead single on February 18 with its music video.{{Cite magazine|date=February 19, 2018|title=NCT U Shows the World Who Is 'Boss' in Charismatic New Video|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8205906/nct-u-boss-video|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316102500/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8205906/nct-u-boss-video|url-status=live}} It was the most successful release from the album, peaking at number 97 on the Gaon Digital Chart, number 80 on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart.{{Cite web|title=Gaon Weekly Digital Chart - Week 11, 2018|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week|website=gaonchart.co.kr|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2018-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322082205/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|title=Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 : Page 1 {{!}} Billboard|magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-k-pop-100/2018-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506200038/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-k-pop-100/2018-04-07|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-05-06|date=2018-05-06|access-date=2020-05-12}}{{Cite magazine|title=World Digital Song Sales Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2018-03-31|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126031144/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2018-03-31|url-status=live}} It was proceeded by the music video for "Baby Don't Stop", another NCT U single with member Taeyong and Ten on February 26, with both music videos sharing the same filming location at the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine.{{Cite magazine|date=February 27, 2018|title=NCT U's Ten & Taeyong Enthrall With 'Baby Don't Stop' Music Video|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8221058/nct-us-ten-taeyong-baby-dont-stop-music-video|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151003/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8221058/nct-us-ten-taeyong-baby-dont-stop-music-video|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=South Korean NCT band filmed clip in Kyiv's Vernadsky library|url=https://112.international/ukraine-top-news/south-korean-nct-band-filmed-clip-in-kyivs-vernadsky-library-26026.html|website=112.international|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2020-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026032421/https://112.international/ukraine-top-news/south-korean-nct-band-filmed-clip-in-kyivs-vernadsky-library-26026.html|url-status=live}} The single peaked at number two on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart, tying with their 2016's release "The 7th Sense" as the unit's highest peak on the chart. The third single "Go" by NCT Dream was released on March 4 to moderate success, peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard World Digital Songs and number twenty-five on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting release of NCT 2018 Empathy on the latter chart.{{Cite magazine|title=World Digital Song Sales Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2018-03-24|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12|archive-date=2019-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807093624/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2018-03-24|url-status=live}}

In conjunction with the album release on March 13, the NCT 127-leading "Touch" was released as the fourth single on March 13.{{Cite web|title=엔시티 127(NCT 127) 'TOUCH', 美 빌보드에서도 집중 조명…"상큼한 매력과 비주얼로 대중 매료" - 장은진 기자|url=http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=376824|date=2018-03-15|website=톱스타뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}} It also attained moderate success, peaking at number fifty-four on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 and number eleven on the World Digital Songs chart. Two further singles were released later, including the old school hip-hop influenced "Yestoday" on April 1 with participation from member Taeyong, Doyoung, Mark and Lucas as the fifth single, and "Black on Black", the performance-assisted single by the whole group as the sixth and final single on April 18. The latter became the only single to feature all eighteen members, and subsequently the first to officially introduce Chinese member Kun.{{cite magazine|title=NCT U Say 'Yestoday' in New Music Video: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8280656/nct-u-yestoday-new-music-video-watch-k-pop-sm-entertainment|date=April 1, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705062309/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8280656/nct-u-yestoday-new-music-video-watch-k-pop-sm-entertainment|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=NCT 2018 Drops Beastly 'Black on Black' Performance Video|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8347521/nct-2018-black-on-black-video|date=April 18, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705071119/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8347521/nct-2018-black-on-black-video|url-status=live}} Neither of these singles charted in any native, nor the World Digital Songs component chart.

Promotion for the album started with NCT U's "Boss" first television performance at M Countdown on February 22, followed by performances on Show Champion, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.{{Cite web|title=NCT U, 'BOSS' 뮤직비디오 공개 화제… 무대 '엠카운트다운' 최초 공개|url=http://www.zenithnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=108911|date=2018-02-19|website=제니스글로벌뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}} Under the same unit, member Taeyong continued to promote with member Ten for "Baby Don't Stop" with live performances on M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo starting from March 1.{{Cite web|title=美 빌보드, NCT U 태용X텐 'Baby Don't Stop' MV 집중 조명|url=http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1RWT7HWWLR/GL0301|date=2018-03-01|website=서울경제|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}} NCT Dream then continued the pre-release promotion activities with "Go" from March 8 and "Touch" by NCT 127 starting from March 15.{{Cite web|title=NCT DREAM 'GO', 마크 랩 메이킹 참여 휩쓸리지 말자 {{!}} 텐아시아|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2018030379654|last=tenasia.hankyung.com|first=Digital|date=2018-03-03|website=텐아시아 연예뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}}{{Cite web|title='NCT 2018' 활동 바톤터치···NCT 127, 신곡 'TOUCH'로 출격|url=https://www.ajunews.com/view/20180309165436574|last=장윤정|date=2018-03-09|website=www.ajunews.com|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}} "Touch" later won the unit their first music show trophy at The Show on March 29, 2018, being the only release from the album to do so.{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 재현, 훈훈함 가득한 셀카…'시즈니들 고마워♥' - 김은지 기자|url=http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=385459|date=2018-03-29|website=톱스타뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-12}}

Prior to the album's release, NCT 2018 Empathy already achieved 203,000 pre-orders, eventually topped several iTunes country charts upon its release.{{cite web|url=http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201803151459113202955_2|title=Boy band NCT tops 18 Apple iTunes charts with new album|date=March 15, 2018|website=Kpop Herald|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113411/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201803151459113202955_2|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=March 14, 2018|title=NCT 마크 "모든 유닛 참여, 감사한 마음으로 임했다"|language=ko|url=http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=111&aid=0000514422|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314163947/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=111&aid=0000514422|url-status=live}} The album then entered and peaked at number two on the Gaon Album Chart on the week of March 17, 2018, being held off the top position by Got7's Eyes on You.{{Cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=11&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week|title=2018 Week 11 Album Chart|website=Gaon Music Chart|access-date=April 18, 2018|archive-date=March 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322031636/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=11&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week|url-status=live}} It was the third best-selling album on the March 2018 issue of the monthly album chart, and subsequently the thirteen best-selling album on the year-end album chart, having sold a total of 330,335 physical copies.{{Cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=03&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month|title=2018 March Album Chart|website=Gaon Music Chart|access-date=April 18, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605164033/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=03&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=2018's Gaon Year-end Album Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2018&hitYear=2018&termGbn=year|website=gaonchart.co.kr|access-date=2020-05-25|archive-date=2019-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322041459/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2018&hitYear=2018&termGbn=year|url-status=live}} It was the first album by NCT to receive a Platinum certificate by KMCA since its introduction in the same year, which granted a Platinum certificate for every album release that achieved a cumulative sales of over 250,000 copies.{{Cite web|title=Gaon's KMCA Album Certificate|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/certification/list.gaon?serviceGbn=ALBUM|website=gaonchart.co.kr|access-date=2020-05-25|archive-date=2019-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612142706/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/certification/list.gaon?serviceGbn=ALBUM|url-status=live}}

Adapted from Naver

{{Track listing

| headline = NCT 2018 Empathy

| extra_column = Arrangement

| title1 = Intro: Neo Got My Back

| note1 = NCT U

| lyrics1 = {{hlist|Tommy $trate}}

| music1 = {{hlist|Dakshood|Tommy $trate}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Dakshood|Rosangyoon}}

| length1 = 1:57

| title2 = Boss

| note2 = NCT U) (sung by Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Lucas and Mark

| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Wutan|Yoo Young-jin|Taeyong|Mark}}

| music2 = {{hlist|Mike Daley|Mitchell Owens|Tiffany Fred|Patrick J. Que Smith|Yoo Young-jin}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin|Mike Daley}}

| length2 = 3:30

| title3 = Baby Don't Stop

| note3 = NCT U) (sung by Taeyong and Ten

| lyrics3 = {{hlist|Danke (lalala Studio)|Juno (Joombas)|Taeyong}}

| music3 = {{hlist|Matt Schwartz|Paul Harris|Little Nikki|Yoo Young-jin|Ryan S. Jhun}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Matt Schwartz|Paul Harris|Yoo Young-jin|Ryan S. Jhun}}

| length3 = 3:03

| title4 = Go

| note4 = NCT Dream

| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Hwang Yoo-bin|Ji Ye-won (Joombas)|Mark}}

| music4 = {{hlist|The Stereotypes|Tiffany Fred|Sophiya Pae (Feeline Music)|Distract (Feeline Music)|Yoo Young-jin}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|The Stereotypes}}

| length4 = 3:27

| title5 = Touch

| note5 = NCT 127

| lyrics5 = {{hlist|Jo Yoon-kyung|Kim Min-ji|Shin Jin-hye}}

| music5 = {{hlist|LDN Noise|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}|Adrian McKinnon}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|LDN Noise|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}}}

| length5 = 3:09

| title6 = Yestoday

| note6 = NCT U) (sung by Taeyong, Doyoung, Lucas and Mark

| lyrics6 = {{hlist|Jung Joo-hee|Taeyong|Mark|Steven Lee|Cho Jin-joo}}

| music6 = {{hlist|Hyuk Shin (Joombas)|RE:ONE (Joombas)|Delly Boi (Joombas)|Jarah Lafayette Gibson|Steven Lee}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Beat&Keys (Joombas)}}

| length6 = 3:16

| title7 = Black on Black

| note7 = NCT 2018) (sung by Taeyong, Lucas, Yuta, Jeno and Mark

| lyrics7 = {{hlist|MINOS|Taeyong|Mark|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}}}

| music7 = {{hlist|Afshin Salmani (Nonfiction)|Josh Cumbee (Nonfiction)|}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Nonfiction|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}}}

| length7 = 3:17

| title8 = Timeless

| note8 = {{Korean|hangul=텐데...|rr=Tende|lit=Would}}) (NCT U) (sung by Taeil, Doyoung and Jaehyun

| lyrics8 = {{hlist|Jeon Gan-di}}

| music8 = {{hlist|Andrew Choi|Joseph "220" Park (Iconic Sounds)}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Kim Yong-shin (Iconic Sounds)|Joseph "220" Park (Iconic Sounds)}}

| length8 = 4:10

| title9 = The 7th Sense

| note9 = {{Korean|hangul=일곱 번째 감각|rr=Ilgop Beonjjae Gamgak|lit=}}) (NCT U) (Sung by Taeyong, Mark, Jaehyun, Doyoung and Ten

| lyrics9 = {{hlist|Jeon Ji-eun (January 8th (lalala Studio))|Hwang Seon-jeong (January 8th (lalala Studio))|Kim Jeong-mi (January 8th (lalala Studio))|{{ill|Kim Dong-hyun (songwriter)|lt=Kim Dong-hyun|ko|김심야}}|Cho Jin-joo|Taeyong|Mark}}

| music9 = {{hlist|Timothy "BOS" Bullock|Jeremy "Tay" Jasper|Adrian McKinnon|Sara Forsberg|Michael Jiminez|Leven Kali|MZMC}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Jeremy "Tay" Jasper|Timothy "BOS" Bullock}}

| length9 = 3:34

| title10 = Without You

| note10 = NCT U) (sung by Taeil, Doyoung and Jaehyun

| lyrics10 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| music10 = {{hlist|Matt Schwartz|Ki Fitzgerald|John Reid|Yoo Young-jin}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| length10 = 3:25

| title11 = Without You

| note11 = Chinese version) (NCT U) (sung by Kun, Taeil, Doyoung, and Jaehyun

| lyrics11 = {{hlist|{{ill|Lin Xinye|zh|林欣曄}}}}

| music11 = {{hlist|Matt Schwartz|Ki Fitzgerald|John Reid|Yoo Young-jin}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| length11 = 3:25

| title12 = Dream in a Dream

| note12 = {{Korean|hangul=몽중몽|hanja=梦中梦|rr=Mongjungmong}}) (sung by Ten

| lyrics12 = {{hlist|Stephen Carl}}

| music12 = {{hlist|Stephen Carl|Dillon Pace|Brian Lee}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Dillon Pace}}

| length12 = 3:35

| title13 = Outro: Vision

| note13 =

| lyrics13 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| music13 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Yoo Young-jin}}

| length13 = 0:57

| title14 = Yestoday

| note14 = Extended version) (NCT U) (Bonus Track

| lyrics14 = {{hlist|Jung Joo-hee|Taeyong|Mark|Steven Lee|Cho Jin-joo}}

| music14 = {{hlist|Hyuk Shin (Joombas)|RE:ONE (Joombas)|Delly Boi (Joombas)|Jarah Lafayette Gibson|Steven Lee}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Beat&Keys (Joombas)}}

| length14 = 3:47

| total_length = 44:39

}}

Notes

Intro & Outro Songs

• "Intro: Neo Got My Back" features vocals from Taeyong, Johnny, and music producer Tommy $trate
• "Outro: Vision" features vocals from Yoo Young Jin

• NCT (vocals, background vocals)
• Taeil – vocals, background vocals (tracks 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)
• Johnny – vocals (tracks 1, 5, 7)
• Taeyong – vocals, background vocals, songwriting (tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9)
• Yuta – vocals (tracks 5, 7)
• Kun – vocals (tracks 7, 11)
• Doyoung – vocals, background vocals (tracks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
• Ten – vocals (tracks 3, 7, 9, 12)
• Jaehyun – vocals, background vocals (tracks 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
• Winwin – vocals (tracks 2, 5, 7)
• Jungwoo – vocals, background vocals (tracks 2, 7)
• Lucas – vocals (tracks 2, 6, 7)
• Mark – vocals, background vocals, songwriting (tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
• Renjun – vocals, background vocals (tracks 4, 7)
• Jeno – vocals (tracks 4, 7)
• Haechan – vocals, background vocals (tracks 4, 5, 7)
• Jaemin – vocals (tracks 4, 7)
• Chenle – vocals, background vocals (tracks 4, 7)
• Jisung – vocals (tracks 4, 7)
• Yoo Young-jin – songwriting, background vocals, music production (tracks 2, 3, 10, 11, 13), vocals (track 13)
• Lee Soo-man – executive production

{{col-start}}

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|type=album|title=NCT 2018 Empathy|artist=NCT|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|certmonth=3|accessdate=March 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{NCT (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2018 debut albums

Category:NCT (group) albums

Category:SM Entertainment albums

Category:2010s Korean-language albums

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