NCT’s Taeyong Opens Up About The Immense Pressure He Felt From SM Entertainment As NCT’s Leader
On July 7th, NCT 127 celebrated their six-year anniversary as a group.
NCT 127 Debut 6th Anniversary 7.7 Congratulations!
#NCT127 pic.twitter.com/1lcgSDfRHA— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) July 6, 2022
Along with subunits NCT U, NCT DREAM, and WayV, NCT has developed a massively supportive fanbase. The group is so successful that SM Entertainment plans to debut two new subunits, NCT Tokyo and NCT Hollywood.
But although NCT is only growing more successful, NCT’s leader Taeyong recently took to the private messaging app Bubble to open up to fans about how difficult it was for the group to achieve success.
As their leader, Taeyong had extra pressure with a teacher who even told him that it would be his fault “if NCT fails.”
TAEYONG 💬
“when we debuted, our manager said that there’s no point in a team that’s not first place”
“If NCT fails today, it’s your fault. To the teacher who said that…”
“Now, it’s this year. everything that I can do as a leader, i’m going to give it all”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
Even still, Taeyong has always proved his humbleness. Even as he shoulders the responsibility for NCT’s success, he has always focused on highlighting his members’ talents and strengths.
TAEYONG 💬
“This team isn’t about just me, but everyone in this team. I’m trying to prove that it’s possible because I have members, I’m going to try to bring out the best I could give and energy from all the members”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
Taeyong explained that at NCT 127’s recent NEO CITY: JAPAN – THE LINK concert, he cried because he felt relieved knowing that NCT is successful and he doesn’t have to keep carrying his burden of responsibility, knowing that he can trust in his members.
TAEYONG 💬
“Seeing all the members who grew up well, I think I should trust the members and move forward”
“I honestly think this year will be really hard without your support Is this the dilemma of seven years?”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
And while NCT’s journey has been difficult for all members, Taeyong promised fans that they would keep giving fans reasons to support them.
TAEYONG 💬
“there are so many, there were difficult moments, and now we have to start. so it's would be embarrassing for me to bring this up, but if you understand me with all your kindness, I'Il repay you with bigger things”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
Taeyong even specified that with how many members NCT has and how the sub-units function, it is easy for fans only to support specific members, which is, of course, upsetting since everyone in NCT is extremely talented and hard-working. Taeyong voiced his hope that fans would support all of the members.
TAEYONG 💬
“Because of the system, NCT would have been able to support individual members and see more eye-catching members”
“This time, i hope there are still people who’ll love and support us”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
As the leader, Taeyong makes sure that his members feel like they can rely on him and he even told fans that they should also talk to him so he can further improve.
TAEYONG 💬
“we’re always loved. Even though we're shameless, I'm the eldest and leader of all the teams, so tell me if there’s something going on in your mind or in your heart”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
Taeyong reassured fans that he’s going to keep being an incredible leader for the team, even though he’s “wanted to give up” many times in the past.
“Now that I'm born as a man, I'm going to see the best moments of our lives, and I'm not going to give up what I've started”
— ️️️️ً (@valentyongf_) July 8, 2022
Fans are voicing their support for Taeyong on social media, expressing gratitude for all he’s done to lead NCT.
From Taeyong bubble today, people should realize that being a leader is never be an easy job. There’s so much burden that he had been carried since debut until now. 7 years filled with thoughts of how he build his team, how to manage the members, how to appreciate the fans –
— 🌹Nyo (@ty_cherie) July 8, 2022
“If you understand me with all your kindness, i’ll repay you with bigger things” Lee Taeyong, you’re the BEST Leader i’ve ever seen in my entire life 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/D7LdVKYvHE
— Cinnamon roll Park Jisung (@Cicinttc_js) July 8, 2022
Taeyong's bubble broke my heart into a million pieces. He's being so honest and so venerable to his fans just says so much. You are doing so great taeyong, i hope you always remember that.
— ren 🍙 (@nctybubu) July 8, 2022