NCT members: NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, NCT WISH… who’s who in 2026

Have you heard of NCT 127, NCT DREAM or WayV without really knowing if they were the same group? That’s normal: NCT is unlike any other K-pop group. NCT’s members almost never sing all together. They’re split into small teams, each with its own style, city and fans.

In this guide, we give you a clear overview: who is in which sub-unit, who has left, what’s coming out right now, and what we have in stock in Seoul for NCTzens (that’s the fans’ name).

What exactly is NCT?

In January 2016, Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment (the label of Red Velvet and EXO), presented a new kind of group project in Seoul. Its name, NCT, comes from the title of the presentation: “Neo Culture Technology”.

The idea: a group with an unlimited number of members, who debut in different sub-units, based in several cities around the world. Members can move from one team to another and come together from time to time for an album with everyone. The result: some members are part of two sub-units at once, like Haechan (NCT 127 and NCT DREAM).

NCT members, sub-unit by sub-unit

Here are the 7 sub-units and their members as of mid-October 2026, in order of debut (apart from NCT U, which changes with every project).

NCT 127, the Seoul team

The members of NCT 127: Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan. It’s the sub-unit with the most hip-hop and experimental sound, the one that took NCT all the way to the United States. The header photo dates from October 2023, at the showcase for the album Fact Check.

NCT DREAM, the former teens turned stars

The members of NCT DREAM: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung. At first, it was the teenagers’ unit: members were supposed to leave when they came of age. This system was dropped in 2020, and NCT DREAM became a full-fledged sub-unit with permanent members.

WayV, the Chinese unit

The members of WayV: Kun, Ten, Xiaojun, Hendery and Yangyang. It’s the only sub-unit without “NCT” in its name. It sings mostly in Chinese, and sometimes in Korean.

NCT WISH, the youngest unit

The members of NCT WISH: Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya. Before their debut, they were introduced under the provisional name NCT New Team, from the reality show NCT Universe : Lastart.

NCT DoJaeJung, NCT JNJM and NCT U

• NCT DoJaeJung: Doyoung, Jaehyun and Jungwoo, three members of NCT 127. Debut on April 17, 2023 with the EP Perfume.
• NCT JNJM: the duo Jeno and Jaemin (also in NCT DREAM). It’s the 7th sub-unit, launched on February 23, 2026 with Both Sides.
• NCT U: the very first sub-unit, launched on April 9, 2016 with “The 7th Sense”. Its lineup changes with every project.

Is NCT DREAM your favorite sub-unit? Their new album is already available for pre-order at our shop:

Ten years of history in a few dates

It all began on April 9, 2016 with NCT U and “The 7th Sense”. The same year came NCT 127 in July, with “Fire Truck”, then NCT DREAM at the end of August with “Chewing Gum”. WayV debuted in China in January 2019.

Regularly, all NCT members come together for a joint album: NCT 2018 Empathy, NCT 2020 Resonance, Universe (2021) and Golden Age (2023). The last one was followed by the NCT Nation : To The World concerts, in stadiums in Korea and Japan.

In February 2023, SM announced that the expansion would stop after one last unit based in Japan: that would be NCT WISH, in 2024. Then, in 2026, Jeno and Jaemin launched their duo NCT JNJM. Want to find everything in one place? Take a look at our NCT collection.

Departures and member changes

With such a big group, the lineup has often changed. Here are the important changes, with dates:

1. May 2023Lucas leaves NCT and WayV. The same month, Shotaro and Sungchan leave to join SM’s new group, RIIZE.
2. August 2024Taeil is removed from the group by SM.
3. April 8, 2026Mark’s contract ends, ten years after his debut. He leaves NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.
4. April 2026Ten leaves SM Entertainment, but remains a member of NCT and WayV: he will take part in group activities while pursuing his solo career.
5. July 9, 2026Winwin’s contract ends, and he leaves NCT and WayV.

Where is NCT as of mid-October 2026?

2026 is a busy year for the members of NCT, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary:

• NCT 127 released its 7th album, Blingy, on August 24, 2026. Promotions are done as a five-piece (Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun and Haechan), because Doyoung and Jungwoo are doing their military service.
• WayV came back on August 10, 2026 with the mini-album Vision Wings.
• NCT WISH followed its first album, Ode to Love (April), with the mini-album I SPY, released on October 12, 2026.
• NCT DREAM announced on October 16 its 6th album, Dream After Dream, expected on November 9, 2026 with the title track “Boogie Woogie”. It’s their first album as six, without Mark.

New releases go fast: so you don’t miss anything, keep an eye on our K-pop pre-orders.

The NCT discography (selection)

With 7 sub-units, the full list would take pages. Here are the group albums and the standout releases from each team.

Official NCT merch

At our shop, NCT 127, NCT DREAM and NCT WISH each have their own official lightstick: choose the one for your favorite sub-unit. We also have recent albums, like Blingy, Vision Wings and I SPY, and official merch. Everything ships directly from our office in Seoul.

Frequently asked questions about NCT members

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Photos via Wikimedia Commons: K-POPIT 케이팝잇 / TV10 (NCT 127, NCT DREAM), SBS Radio 에라오 (WayV) and Bugaboo.TV (NCT DoJaeJung), license CC BY 3.0; numbuzin (NCT WISH), license CC BY 4.0.