The First (single album)

{{Infobox album

| name = The First

| type = Single album

| artist = NCT Dream

| cover = NCT Dream - The First.png

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|2017|02|09}}

| recorded = 2016–2017

| studio =

| genre =

| length =

| language = Korean

| label = SM Entertainment

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = We Young

| next_year = 2017

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = NCT

| type = single album

| prev_title = Limitless

| prev_year = 2017

| title = The First

| year = 2017

| next_title = Cherry Bomb

| next_year = 2017

}}

{{Singles

| name = The First

| type = single album

| single1 = Chewing Gum

| single1date = August 24, 2016

| single2 = My First and Last

| single2date = February 9, 2017

}}

"The First" is the debut double A-side single by South Korean-Chinese boy band NCT Dream, the third sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. It was released on February 9, 2017 with "My First and Last" serving as the single's title track.

Background and release

NCT's third unit, NCT Dream, consists of seven members: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. They debuted with the digital single "Chewing Gum" on August 24, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916|title=NCT DREAM, 데뷔곡 '츄잉검' 25일 '엠카'서 첫선|date=August 19, 2016|website=Naver|publisher=Star Money|language=ko|access-date=February 9, 2017|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}}{{cite web|url=http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160825000512|title=NCT Dream releases new music video|date=August 25, 2016|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202221/http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160825000512|url-status=live}}

On February 1, 2017, NCT Dream announced that they would be releasing their first single, "The First". SM Entertainment announced that Jaemin will not be participating in this comeback due to his health problems.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2017/02/02/sm-releases-statement-regarding-nct-dreams-jaemin|title=SM releases statement regarding NCT Dream's Jaemin|date=February 2, 2017|website=SBS|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010352/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2017/02/02/sm-releases-statement-regarding-nct-dreams-jaemin|url-status=live}}

Described as a lively dance track with a light-hearted melody and a pounding bass, "My First and Last" served as the album's title track and was released on February 9, in both Korean and Mandarin versions. The album also includes a cover of Lee Seung-hwan's 1993 hit song "Dunk Shot".{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7685137/nct-dream-charm-funk-pop-my-first-last-video|title=NCT Dream Charm With Funk and Pop in 'My First & Last' Video: Watch|date=February 8, 2017|website=Billboard|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512063823/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7685137/nct-dream-charm-funk-pop-my-first-last-video|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3029599|title=NCT Dream drops first album, new tracks|date=February 9, 2017|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=August 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825222744/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aId=3029599|url-status=live}}

Promotion

The group had their first comeback stage on Mnet's M Countdown on February 9 where they performed "My First and Last" and "Dunk Shot".{{cite web|url=https://www.mwave.me/en/news/news/view/112437/%5BVideo%5D-SF9-and-NCT-DREAM-Perform-Comeback-Stages-on-%E2%80%B2M-COUNTDOWN%E2%80%B2|title=SF9 and NCT DREAM Perform Comeback Stages on ′M COUNTDOWN′|date=February 10, 2017|website=Mwave|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-date=October 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015042203/https://www.mwave.me/en/news/news/view/112437/%5BVideo%5D-SF9-and-NCT-DREAM-Perform-Comeback-Stages-on-%E2%80%B2M-COUNTDOWN%E2%80%B2|url-status=live}}

Commercial performance

"The First" debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated February 5–11, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=week&hitYear=2017&targetTime=06&nationGbn=T|title=Gaon Album Chart – Week 06, 2017|website=Gaon Chart|access-date=February 17, 2017|language=ko|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063403/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?termGbn=week&hitYear=2017&targetTime=06&nationGbn=T|url-status=live}} It placed at number 40 on Gaon's year-end chart.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2017&hitYear=2017&termGbn=year&year_time=3|title=Gaon Album Chart – 2017|website=Gaon Chart|language=ko|access-date=2022-02-19|archive-date=2021-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527132044/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2017&hitYear=2017&termGbn=year&year_time=3|url-status=live}} After years from its release, the album re-entered on the Gaon Chart at number 12 for the month of February, 2021.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2021&termGbn=month|title=Gaon Album Chart – February, 2021|website=Gaon Chart|language=ko|access-date=2022-02-19|archive-date=2021-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311075548/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2021&termGbn=month|url-status=live}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = The First track listing

| extra_column = Arrangement

| title1 = My First and Last

| note1 = {{Korean|hangul=마지막 첫사랑|rr=Majimak Cheotsarang|lit=Last First Love}}

| lyrics1 = {{hlist|Jeon Gan-di|Mark}}

| music1 = {{hlist|August Rigo|Justin Davey|Ryan S. Jhun}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Rigo|Davey|Jhun}}

| length1 = 3:22

| title2 = My First and Last

| note2 = {{zh|s=最后的初恋|p=Zuìhòu De Chūliàn|l=The Last First Love}}

| lyrics2 = {{hlist|Arys Chien}}

| music2 = {{hlist|Rigo|Davey|Jhun}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Rigo|Davey|Jhun}}

| length2 = 3:22

| title3 = Dunk Shot

| note3 = {{Korean|hangul=덩크슛|rr=Dunkeusyut|lit=}}

| lyrics3 = {{hlist|{{ill|Kim Kwang-jin (songwriter)|lt=Kim Kwang-jin|ko|김광진_(1964년)}}}}

| music3 = {{hlist|Kim}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Kenzie}}

| length3 = 3:54

| title4 = Chewing Gum

| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Jo Yoon-kyung|Moon Seol-ri|Jung Min-ji|Mark}}

| music4 = {{hlist|Thomas Troelsen|Kenzie}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Kenzie}}

| length4 = 3:21

| title5 = Chewing Gum

| note5 = {{zh|s=泡泡糖|p=Pàopaotáng|l=}}

| length5 = 3:21

| lyrics5 = {{hlist|Chien}}

| music5 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Kenzie}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Troelsen|Kenzie}}

| total_length = 17:19

}}

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Xiami.{{cite web|url=https://www.xiami.com/album/bfMQ8bQ2e791|title=The First - The First Single Album|via=Xiami Music|accessdate=December 5, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605015804/http://www.xiami.com/album/bfMQ8bQ2e791|url-status=live}}

G-High{{spaced ndash}}vocal directing {{small|(track 1-2)}}, recording {{small|(track 1-2)}}, digital editing {{small|(track 1-2)}}
Kenzie{{spaced ndash}}vocal directing {{small|(track 3-5)}}, background vocals {{small|(track 3-5)}}
MQ{{spaced ndash}}rap directing {{small|(track 4-5)}}
NCT Dream{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals
Mark{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}, rap making {{small|(track 3)}}
Renjun{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Jeno{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Haechan{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Jaemin{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Chenle{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Jisung{{spaced ndash}}vocals, background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
Onestar{{spaced ndash}}background vocals {{small|(track 1-2)}}
August Rigo{{spaced ndash}}background vocals {{small|(track 1-2)}}
Kye Bum-joo{{spaced ndash}}background vocals {{small|(track 3-5)}}
Choi Hoon{{spaced ndash}}bass performer {{small|(track 3)}}
Hong Joon-ho{{spaced ndash}}guitar performer {{small|(track 3)}}
Lee Min-gyu{{spaced ndash}}recording {{small|(track 3-5)}}, digital editing {{small|(track 3-5)}}
Jeong Eun-gyeong{{spaced ndash}}recording {{small|(track 3-5)}}, digital editing {{small|(track 4-5)}}
Lee Chang-seon{{spaced ndash}}recording {{small|(track 3)}}
Jung Eui-seok{{spaced ndash}}recording {{small|(track 4)}}, mixing {{small|(track 4-5)}}
Jang Woo-yeong{{spaced ndash}}digital editing {{small|(track 4)}}
Nam Gung-jin{{spaced ndash}}mixing {{small|(track 1)}}
Jin NamKoong{{spaced ndash}}mixing {{small|(track 2)}}
Goo Jong-pil (BeatBurger){{spaced ndash}}mixing {{small|(track 3)}}

=Locations=

Recording

SM Big Shot Studio
SM Blue Cup Studio
SM Blue Ocean Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
MonoTree Studio
In Grid Studio
prelude Studio

Editing

SM Big Shot Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
MonoTree Studio
doobdoob Studio
In Grid Studio

Mixing

SM Concert Hall Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
SM Blue Cup Studio

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ Weekly chart performance for The First ! scope="col" \| Chart (2017) ! scope="col" \| Peak position
scope="row" \| South Korea (Gaon Album Chart) \| 1

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Weekly chart performance for The First

! scope="col" | Chart (2017)

! scope="col" | Peak
position

scope="row" | South Korea (Gaon Album Chart)

| 1

=Monthly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ Monthly chart performance for The First ! scope="col" \| Chart (February 2017) ! scope="col" \| Peak position
scope="row" \| South Korea (Gaon Album Chart){{cite web\|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month\|title=Gaon Album Chart – February, 2017\|website=Gaon Chart\|language=ko\|access-date=2022-02-19\|archive-date=2017-01-26\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126061801/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month\|url-status=live}} \| 6

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Monthly chart performance for The First

! scope="col" | Chart (February 2017)

! scope="col" | Peak
position

scope="row" | South Korea (Gaon Album Chart){{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month|title=Gaon Album Chart – February, 2017|website=Gaon Chart|language=ko|access-date=2022-02-19|archive-date=2017-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126061801/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2017&termGbn=month|url-status=live}}

| 6

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ Year-end chart performance for The First ! scope="col" \| Chart (2017) ! scope="col" \| Peak position
scope="row" \| South Korea (Gaon Album Chart) \| 40

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Year-end chart performance for The First

! scope="col" | Chart (2017)

! scope="col" | Peak
position

scope="row" | South Korea (Gaon Album Chart)

| 40