We Go Up
{{for|the title track|We Go Up (NCT Dream song)}}
{{for|the Nicki Minaj song|We Go Up (Nicki Minaj song)}}
{{Infobox album
| name = We Go Up
| type = EP
| artist = NCT Dream
| cover = We Go Up album cover.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2018|9|3}}
| recorded = 2018
| studio = SM Studios, Seoul, South Korea
| genre = *K-pop
| length = 19:00
| language = {{hlist|Korean|Mandarin}}
| label = {{hlist|SM Entertainment|iriver}}
| producer =
| prev_title = We Young
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = We Boom
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = NCT
| type = EP
| prev_title = Chain
| prev_year = 2018
| title = We Go Up
| year = 2018
| next_title = Regular-Irregular
| next_year = 2018
}}
{{Singles
| name = We Go Up
| type = EP
| single1 = We Go Up
| single1date = September 3, 2018
}}
}}
We Go Up is the second extended play by South Korean–Chinese boy band NCT Dream, the third and teen-aged sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. Released by SM Entertainment on September 3, 2018 and distributed by iriver, the album contains five new Korean songs and a Mandarin version of the album's eponymous single, marking it their latest release to contain a Mandarin record.{{cite web|date=2018-07-28|title=NCT Dream will drop their next EP on Sept. 3|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3052013|work=Korea Joongang Daily|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2018-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822145518/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3052013|url-status=live}} The extended play was the unit's first major release to feature member Jaemin since their debut single "Chewing Gum" in August 2016; following his medical hiatus since early 2017. SM founder Lee Soo-man served as the EP's executive producer, with songwriters and producers such as Kenzie, MZMC, Bazzi, Mike Woods, Kevin White, August Rigo, The Stereotypes, Deez, Erik Lidbom, Cazzi Opeia, Anton Ewald, Simon Johansson, Sebastian Thott, and others participating in making the album. It was also their last release with the original seven-member line up, marking the graduation of member Mark in December 2018 as he reached the age of adulthood in South Korea.{{cite news|date=2018-08-26|title=Mark Confirmed To Graduate From NCT Dream This Year|work=Soompi|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1220293wpp/mark-confirmed-graduate-nct-dream-year|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2018-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929114753/https://www.soompi.com/article/1220293wpp/mark-confirmed-graduate-nct-dream-year|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=[SBS Star] MARK to Graduate from NCT DREAM After One Last Promotion|url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004908261&plink=SEARCH&cooper=SBSNEWSSEARCH|work=SBS News| date=27 August 2018 |access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2018-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929155922/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004908261&plink=SEARCH&cooper=SBSNEWSSEARCH|url-status=live}}
Upon its release, We Go Up enjoyed commercial success in both NCT Dream's native country and several international component charts. It was the unit's second chart-topper on the Gaon Album Chart, following their 2017 release The First, and eventually their first charting entry in Japan and United Kingdom, peaking at number eleven and ninety-seven on the Oricon Albums Chart and the Album Downloads component chart, respectively. The extended play also attained success in the United States, becoming their second top-five entry on the Billboard World Albums chart, peaking at number five on its first charting week. The group went on to promote the extended play's eponymous lead single through various South Korean television music programs, and has since performed the title track on all of their headlining concerts, namely The Dream Show and their Beyond LIVE concert in May 2020.{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/1945|access-date=2020-07-02|website=www.smentertainment.com|archive-date=2020-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702144525/https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/1945|url-status=live}}
Background and release
Originally debuted as a septet in August 2016 with the digital single "Chewing Gum", NCT Dream actively promoted as a sextet instead since February 1, 2017 due to member Jaemin's medical hiatus.{{Cite web|title=NCT DREAM, 데뷔곡 '츄잉검' 25일 '엠카'서 첫선|url=https://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916|access-date=2020-07-02|website=entertain.naver.com|language=ko|archive-date=2021-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415022434/https://entertain.naver.com/music/now/read?oid=108&aid=0002548916|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=SM releases statement regarding NCT Dream's Jaemin|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2017/02/02/sm-releases-statement-regarding-nct-dreams-jaemin|access-date=2020-07-02|website=SBS PopAsia|language=en|archive-date=2018-07-10|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}} Jaemin eventually rejoined the unit for their parental group's 2018 project Empathy single, titled "Go", which saw the group transitioning from their "youthful" image to a more "rebellious" and "defiant" approach in both music and image.{{Cite magazine|date=2018-03-05|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|access-date=2020-07-02|magazine=Billboard|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}} SM Entertainment eventually announced the group would release a new extended play in September 2018, later revealed to be We Go Up. The label further stated that member Mark would "graduate" from the unit following the EP's release in December 2018, due to him turning 19 by the time, thus reaching the age of adulthood in South Korea.{{Cite web|title=NCT Dream will drop their next EP on Sept. 3|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2018/08/16/etc/NCT-Dream-will-drop-their-next-EP-on-Sept-3/3052013.html|access-date=2020-07-02|website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com|date=16 August 2018 |language=en|archive-date=2020-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703121121/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2018/08/16/etc/NCT-Dream-will-drop-their-next-EP-on-Sept-3/3052013.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2018-08-27|title=[SBS Star] MARK to Graduate from NCT DREAM After One Last Promotion|url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004908261|access-date=2020-07-02|website=SBS NEWS|language=en|archive-date=2019-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519094151/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1004908261|url-status=live}} An accompanying music video for the eponymous lead single was released on August 30, 2018, four days prior to the extended play's release.{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV1Es22E0RI|access-date=2020-07-02|website=www.youtube.com| date=30 August 2018 |archive-date=2019-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230012536/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV1Es22E0RI|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|date=2018-08-30|title=NCT Dream Release Video For Bazzi-Penned 'We Go Up': Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8473106/nct-dream-we-go-up-video|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2019-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519121642/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8473106/nct-dream-we-go-up-video|url-status=live}} The EP's package came in a singular version with a CD containing all six songs, a photo booklet and several collectibles for fans.{{Cite web|title=NCT DREAM - Mini Album Vol.2 [We Go Up] *second press|url=http://www.ktown4u.com/iteminfo?grp_no=231307&goods_no=34573|access-date=2020-07-02|website=www.ktown4u.com|archive-date=2020-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702111252/http://www.ktown4u.com/iteminfo?grp_no=231307&goods_no=34573|url-status=live}}
Composition
We Go Up contains five new songs recorded in Korean by the unit, while its eponymous track received a Mandarin version as the closing track. The lead single "We Go Up" is described as a "retro vibe", urban hip hop track that saw the members singing about team spirit, containing "tinny" percussion and "booming" bass line along with the group "serv[ing] up swaggering raps and harmonious vocals".{{Cite magazine|date=2018-08-31|title=NCT Dream's 'We Go Up' Video: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8473106/nct-dream-we-go-up-video|access-date=2020-07-02|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=2020-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509140638/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8473106/nct-dream-we-go-up-video|url-status=live}} It was written by SM songwriter Kenzie and member Mark, whom went on to co-write three additional tracks in the album, while the former also worked with producer MZMC, singer-songwriter Bazzi, Mike Woods, and Kevin White on the song's production.{{cite news|url=http://www.kpopherald.com/view.php?ud=201808311329228355829_2|title=[V Report] NCT Dream video plays up boyish charm|date=2018-08-31|work=Kpop Herald|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2018-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929114654/http://www.kpopherald.com/view.php?ud=201808311329228355829_2|url-status=live}} Along with Mark, member Jeno, Jaemin and Jisung also took part in writing the lyrics for "Dear Dream", a hip-hop and pop song that memorizes the graduation of Mark from the sub-unit.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2018/08/27/mark-graduate-nct-dream-after-dear-dream|title=Mark to graduate from NCT Dream after "Dear DREAM"|work=SBS.com.au|date=2018-08-27|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2020-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904144325/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2018/08/27/mark-graduate-nct-dream-after-dear-dream|url-status=live}} The unit also worked with American production team The Stereotypes and Canadian musician August Rigo on the track "1, 2, 3", a funky R&B and dance-pop track that sings about falling for a new crush.{{Citation|title=Genius English Translations – NCT Dream - 1,2,3 (English Translation)|url=https://genius.com/Genius-english-translations-nct-dream-123-english-translation-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-07-02|archive-date=2020-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702111249/https://genius.com/Genius-english-translations-nct-dream-123-english-translation-lyrics|url-status=live}}
Chart performance
The album entered Billboard{{'}}s World Albums chart at No. 5, and Heatseekers Albums chart at No.7; which marks NCT Dream's best sales week in America to date.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8475148/nct-dream-we-go-up-top-5-world-heatseekers-albums-charts|title=NCT Dream Score Second Top 5 Entry on World Albums, Debut on Heatseekers Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=2018-09-14|access-date=2018-09-29|archive-date=2018-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914095445/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8475148/nct-dream-we-go-up-top-5-world-heatseekers-albums-charts|url-status=live}}
NCT Dream Show
NCT Dream Show was NCT Dream's music variety show. It focused on NCT’s concept, which is sympathizing through dreaming and becoming one through music.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=468&aid=0000424596|title=NCT DREAM, 뮤직 버라이어티쇼 9월 개최…팬들과 특별한 만남 가진다|work=Sports Seoul|date=2018-09-07|access-date=2022-11-24}}
= First Show =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Date ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:19em;" | Venue |
| September 28, 2018
| rowspan="3" | Seoul | rowspan="3" | South Korea | rowspan="3" | SMTOWN Coex Artium, SMTOWN Theatre |
| September 29, 2018 |
| September 30, 2018 |
= Second Show =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Date ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:19em;" | Venue |
| December 1, 2018
| rowspan="5" | Seoul | rowspan="5" | South Korea | rowspan="5" | SMTOWN Coex Artium, SMTOWN Theatre |
| December 2, 2018 |
| December 3, 2018 |
| December 4, 2018 |
| December 5, 2018 |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = We Go Up track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| title_width = 23%
| lyrics_width = 25%
| music_width = 28%
| extra_width = 23%
| title1 = We Go Up
| lyrics1 = {{hlist|Kenzie|Mark}}
| music1 = {{hlist|MZMC|Andrew Bazzi (Rice N' Peas)|Mike Woods (Rice N' Peas)|Kevin White (Rice N' Peas)|Kenzie}}
| extra1 = Rice N' Peas
| length1 = 3:03
| title2 = 1, 2, 3
| lyrics2 = Hwang Yoo-bin
| music2 = {{hlist|August Rigo|The Stereotypes}}
| extra2 = The Stereotypes
| length2 = 3:01
| title3 = Beautiful Time
| note3 = {{Korean|hangul=너와 나|rr=Neowa Na|lit=You and Me}}
| lyrics3 = {{hlist|Seo Ji-eum|Kim In-ha|Mark}}
| music3 = {{hlist|Michael Lee Cheung (MLC)|{{ill|Erik Lidbom|simple||ja|エリック・リボム}}}}
| extra3 = {{ill|Erik Lidbom|simple||ja|エリック・リボム}}
| length3 = 3:27
| title4 = Drippin'
| lyrics4 = {{hlist|Jeon Ji-eun (January 8th (lalala Studio))|Hwang Seon-jeong (January 8th (lalala Studio))|Kim Jeong-mi (January 8th (lalala Studio))|Mark}}
| music4 = {{hlist|Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine)|Ludvig Evers (Moonshine)|{{ill|Deez|ko|디즈}}|Cazzi Opeia (Sunshine)}}
| extra4 = Moonshine
| length4 = 3:17
| title5 = Dear Dream
| lyrics5 = {{hlist|Baek Geum-min (Song Carat)|Lee Soo-jung (Song Carat)|Jisung|Jaemin|Jeno|Mark}}
| music5 = {{hlist|Anton Ewald|Simon Johansson|{{ill|Sebastian Thott|sv|Sebastian Thott}}}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|{{ill|Sebastian Thott|sv|Sebastian Thott}}}}
| length5 = 3:09
| title6 = We Go Up
| note6 = Chinese version; {{zh|s=青春接力|p=Qīngchūn Jiēlì|l=Youth Relay}}
| lyrics6 = Zhou Weijie
| music6 = {{hlist|MZMC|Andrew Bazzi (Rice N' Peas)|Mike Woods (Rice N' Peas)|Kevin White (Rice N' Peas)|Kenzie}}
| extra6 = Rice N' Peas
| length6 = 3:03
| total_length = 19:00
}}
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for We Go Up ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| South Korean Albums (Gaon){{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=2018&hitYear=2018&termGbn=year|title=2018년 Album Chart|website=Gaon|accessdate=January 16, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|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}}
| 22 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for We Go Up}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|type=album|title=We Go Up|artist=NCT Dream|award=Platinum|relyear=2018|certyear=2021|certmonth=3|accessdate=March 11, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history and formats for We Go Up ! Region ! Date ! Format ! Label |
| scope="row"| South Korea
| rowspan="2"| September 3, 2018 | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|SM Entertainment|iRIVER}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Various
| Digital download |