Regular-Irregular
2018 studio album by NCT 127
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Regular-Irregular is the first studio album by South Korean boy band NCT 127, the second sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. Described as a multi-genre concept album with a total of eleven tracks, the album was released by SM Entertainment on October 12, 2018, and distributed by IRIVER. This marks NCT 127's first Korean major release after a year and four months since their previous EP, Cherry Bomb, released in June 2017.[1] It is also their first release as a ten-member group after Jungwoo was added in September 2018.[2][3] It is also the group's last release to date featuring member Winwin, as he would focus his promotions on WayV following the album's release.
| Regular-Irregular | ||||
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Digital cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 12, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Studio | SM, Seoul, South Korea | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:01 | |||
| Language |
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| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| NCT 127 chronology | ||||
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| NCT chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Regular-Irregular | ||||
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| Repackaged edition cover | ||||
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| Singles from Regulate | ||||
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Upon the album release, Regular-Irregular attained commercial success in both South Korea and other countries. The album debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart and became one of the few releases to stay No. 1, longer than a single week in 2018. Additionally, it debuted at No. 86 on the US Billboard 200 in the week of October 27, 2018, thus becoming NCT 127's first entry on the chart.[4] It is also the group's highest charting release on the UK and France's download albums charts and became their first entry on the Australian Digital Albums chart.
The album's repackage, Regulate, was released on November 23, 2018, along with its lead single, "Simon Says".[5]
Background and release
Regular-Irregular
On September 17, a teaser video was released on the group's Twitter account, showcasing flashes of the words "regular", "irregular", and the new NCT 127 logo. Later that day, SM Entertainment announced the addition of Jungwoo to the group and that NCT 127 would release its first full-length album Regular-Irregular on October 12.[6] Following the announcement, NCT 127 entered the Billboard's Social 50 at number five for the week of September 29.[7] Photo and video teasers were released from September 18 up to October 11.[8]
On October 8, NCT 127 released the music video of their new single "Regular" in English version, which marks the group's first English-language song.[9] The music video for the Korean version of "Regular" was released on October 11, 2018.[10] The album was released on October 12, 2018.[11]
Regulate
On November 13, 2018, NCT 127 announced the release of the album's repackage, Regulate with teasers of the members.[12] The album and its lead single, "Simon Says", was released on November 23, 2018.[5][13]
Composition
The album's theme revolves around the exploration of reality and dreams. The album incorporates several genres; such as pop, dance, R&B, ballad and hip-hop.[11]
"Regular" is described as a high-energy hip hop track with sensual Latin vibes that incorporates Spanish lyrics.[9] Billboard noted that unlike many Korean songs re-released by K-pop bands in other languages, the English version of "Regular" differentiates itself from the Korean version through the content of their lyrics.[11] The Korean one addresses their current state as a group trying to make its way in the world, in contrast to the hopeful, goal-oriented swagger expressed in the English alternative. While both versions focus on money, the Korean addresses the reality of their world versus the luxurious lifestyle expressed in the English.[11][14]
The sixth track, "Interlude: Regular to Irregular" contains the music used in the video "NCT 2018 Yearbook #1" as well as a rearranged version of a future bass composition (titled "The 7th Sense – Reverse") by Korean electronica musician Hitchhiker that was performed by the sub-unit in the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards. The track also contains narrations done in Korean (by new member Jungwoo), Japanese (by Yuta) and Mandarin (by Winwin), as well as a verse from the American author Edgar Allan Poe's 1849 poem, "A Dream Within a Dream" narrated by member Johnny. The eighth track, "Come Back", is a Korean version of the originally released Japanese track off their debut Japanese EP Chain. The bonus track, "Run Back 2 U", is the full version of the demo song originally titled "Bassbot" previously performed by NCT members Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Ten and Jaehyun and then-SM trainee Hansol in a pre-debut video under the company's pre-debut group SM Rookies in 2015.
Promotion
Regular-Irregular
NCT 127 kick-started promotions for the album in the U.S. with television promotions and a partnership with Apple Music.[15][16] They performed their new single "Regular" as well as "Cherry Bomb" on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! outdoor concert series stage on October 8, marking their U.S. television debut;[17][18] the group also appeared at the 2018 American Music Awards.[19] They performed at ABC's Mickey's 90th Spectacular TV special on November 4.[20]
NCT 127 was also announced as Apple Music's 'Up Next' Artist; the group was featured on Apple-based platforms, including a short film exploring the band and their music, an Apple Music–only choreography video, and a Beats 1 interview.[21][22]
Regulate
On November 22, it was announced that member Winwin would not participate in promotions for Regulate as he was preparing for the group's Chinese activities.[23] NCT 127 performed "Simon Says" on Music Bank, Inkigayo, and Show! Music Core, as well as the Korean version of "Chain" on The Show and Show Champion.
Reception
Regular-Irregular
In a positive review, Billboard praised the album for showcasing both the group's artistry and skill through its diversity of sounds and experimental approach towards an album concept, helping to solidify their style.[11] The magazine ranked it as the 15th best K-pop album of 2018.[24] MTV also named "Come Back" among the best K-pop B-sides of the year.[25]
Regulate
On December 10, it was announced that "Simon Says" had become the group's first song to chart at number one on the US Digital Song Sales chart.[26]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Naver
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "City 127" (Korean: 지금 우리; RR: Jigeum Uri; lit. 'Now We') |
|
| 3:19 | |
| 2. | "Regular" |
|
| 3:37 | |
| 3. | "Replay (PM 01:27)" (sung by Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, and Haechan) |
| 3:39 | ||
| 4. | "Knock On" |
|
|
| 3:25 |
| 5. | "No Longer" (Korean: 나의 모든 순간; RR: Naui Modeun Sungan; lit. 'All My Moments') (sung by Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan) |
|
| 4:57 | |
| 6. | "Interlude: Regular to Irregular" (Narrated by Johnny, Yuta, Winwin, and Jungwoo) |
|
| 3:10 | |
| 7. | "My Van" (Korean: 내 Van; RR: Nae Van) (sung by Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Mark) |
| 250 | 3:26 | |
| 8. | "Come Back" (Korean: 악몽; RR: Akmong; lit. 'Nightmare') |
|
| 3:25 | |
| 9. | "Fly Away with Me" (Korean: 신기루; RR: Sin-gilu; lit. 'Mirage') |
|
|
| 3:32 |
| 10. | "Regular" (English version) |
|
| 3:39 | |
| 11. | "Run Back 2 U" (Bonus track) |
|
| 3:39 | |
| Total length: | 40:02 | ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "City 127" (Korean: 지금 우리; RR: Jigeum Uri; lit. 'Now we') |
|
| 3:19 | |
| 2. | "Regular" |
|
| 3:37 | |
| 3. | "Replay (PM 01:27)" (sung by Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, and Haechan) |
| 3:39 | ||
| 4. | "Welcome to My Playground" |
| 3:59 | ||
| 5. | "Knock On" |
|
|
| 3:25 |
| 6. | "No Longer" (Korean: 나의 모든 순간; RR: Naui Modeun Sungan; lit. 'All My Moments') (sung by Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan) |
|
| 4:57 | |
| 7. | "My Van" (Korean: 내 Van; RR: Nae Van) (sung by Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Mark) |
| 250 | 3:26 | |
| 8. | "Interlude: Regular to Irregular" (Narrated by Johnny, Yuta, Winwin, and Jungwoo) |
|
| 3:10 | |
| 9. | "Simon Says" |
| 3:19 | ||
| 10. | "Come Back" (Korean: 악몽; RR: Akmong; lit. 'Nightmare') |
|
| 3:25 | |
| 11. | "Fly Away with Me" (Korean: 신기루; RR: Sin-giru; lit. 'Mirage') |
|
|
| 3:32 |
| 12. | "Chain" (Korean version) |
| 250 | 3:43 | |
| 13. | "Regular" (English version) |
|
| 3:39 | |
| 14. | "Run Back 2 U" (Bonus track) |
|
| 3:39 | |
| Total length: | 51:00 | ||||
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Xiami.[28]
- Seo Mi-rae (Butterfly) – vocal directing (track 1,3-5,11), background vocals (track 3), digital editing (track 1,3-4,11)
- GDLO (MonoTree) – vocal directing (track 2,9,12-14), digital editing (track 2,9,12-13)
- Chu Dae-kwan (MonoTree) – vocal directing (track 6,14)
- DEEZ – vocal directing (track 10)
- Andrew Choi – vocal directing (track 13), background vocals (track 1,10)
- Double Dragon (Hot Sauce Music Group) – vocal directing (track 14), digital editing (track 14)
- Kim Dong-hyun – rap directing (track 7)
- 250 – rap directing (track 7), digital editing (track 7)
- NCT 127 – vocals, background vocals
- Taeil – vocals, background vocals (track 7,12)
- Johnny – vocals, background vocals (track 8,12)
- Taeyong – vocals, background vocals (track 7,12)
- Yuta – vocals, background vocals (track 7-8,12)
- Doyoung – vocals, background vocals (track 4-5,7,12)
- Jaehyun – vocals, background vocals (track 7,12)
- Winwin – vocals, background vocals (track 8,12)
- Jungwoo – vocals, background vocals (track 7-8,12)
- Mark – vocals, background vocals (track 7,12)
- Haechan – vocals, background vocals (track 12)
- Micah Powell – background vocals (track 1)
- DAWN – background vocals (track 2)
- Wilbart "Vedo" McCoy III – background vocals (track 2,13)
- Varren Wade – background vocals (track 3)
- Ra.D – background vocals (track 4)
- BrotherSu – background vocals (track 4)
- J. Roston – background vocals (track 5)
- OneStar (MonoTree) – background vocals (track 6)
- Bobii Lewis – background vocals (track 9), all instruments (track 9)
- Yoo Young-jin – background vocals (track 9), mixing engineer (track 6)
- Hwang Seong-je (Butterfly) – background vocals (track 11)
- Megan Bowen – background vocals (track 14)
- Kim Gyeong-min – piano (track 8)
- Hitchhicker – guitar (track 8), digital editing (track 8)
- ON the string – string (track 8)
- Choi Jin-seok – all instruments (track 9)
- Jeong Ho-jin – recording (track 1,8,11)
- Choi Jin-yeong – assistant recording (track 1,8,11)
- Kang Jae-gu – recording (track 1,4,11)
- Hong Su-yeon – assistant recording (track 1,4,11)
- Kwak Jeong-sin – recording (track 2,5-6,9,12-13)
- Jeong Mo-yeon – recording (track 2,5-6)
- Kwon Yoo-jin – recording (track 3)
- Hong Seong-jun – recording (track 4,7), digital editing (track 5-6)
- Chu Dae-kwan – recording (track 6)
- Sin Dae-seop – recording (track 8)
- Jeong Gi-hong – recording (track 8)
- Choi Da-in – recording (track 8)
- Lee Chan-mi – assistant recording (track 8)
- On Seong-yoon – recording (track 8,10)
- Lee Ji-hong – recording (track 10), digital editing (track 9-10,14), mixing engineer (track 2,5,7,9-10,12-14)
- An Chang-gyu – recording (track 10)
- Lee Min-gyu – recording (track 13-14), mixing engineer (track 1,3-4,11), mixing (track 1)
- Juan "Jay P" Mendez – digital editing (track 2,13)
- Min Seong-soo – digital editing (track 2)
- Jang Woo-yeong – digital editing (track 4,9,12)
- Jung Eui-seok – digital editing (track 8), mixing (track 2,8,13)
- Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 3,5,12,14)
- Nam Gung-jin – mixing (track 4,6,11)
- Kim Han-gu – mixing (track 7)
- Goo Jong-pil (BeatBurger) – mixing (track 9-10)
Locations
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Recording
Editing
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Mixing
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Charts
Album
| Chart (2018) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular- Irregular |
Regulate | |
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[29] | 19 | — |
| French Download Albums (SNEP)[30] | 43 | — |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[31] | 6 | — |
| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[32] | 24 | — |
| South Korean Albums (Gaon)[33][34] | 1 | 2 |
| UK Download Albums (OCC)[35] | 42 | — |
| US Billboard 200[36] | 86 | — |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[37] | 5 | 46 |
| US World Albums (Billboard)[38] | 2 | 9 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[39] | 23 | — |
Single
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Singapore (RIAS Regional)[42] | 6 |
| South Korea (Gaon)[43] | 92 |
| South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)[44] | 16 |
| US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[45] | 2 |
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[46] | 37 |
| South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)[47] | 39 |
| US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[48] | 1 |
Sales
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea (KMCA)[52] Regular-Irregular |
Platinum | 250,000^ |
| South Korea (KMCA)[53] Regulate |
Platinum | 250,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Accolades
| Song | Program | Date |
|---|---|---|
| "Regular" | The Show | October 16, 2018 |
| October 23, 2018 | ||
| M Countdown | October 25, 2018 | |
| Music Bank | October 26, 2018 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | October 12, 2018 |
|
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| United States | |||
| Various |
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