K-pop group NCT Dream has skyrocketed in popularity over the past couple of years. As one of the most prominent boy bands in the K-pop industry right now, NCT Dream has amassed a sizable fandom not just in Korea but all over the world. With their recent comeback and first full album “Hot Sauce” in 2021, NCT Dream reached new heights in their career. This begs the question – will NCT Dream hold a tour in the US anytime soon?
NCT Dream’s Popularity and Success
NCT Dream debuted in 2016 as the teenage subunit of the larger NCT group. Over the years, they have grown tremendously in popularity both domestically and internationally. Some key facts about NCT Dream’s success so far:
- They have released three studio albums and six EPs.
- They have charted at #1 multiple times on the Gaon Album Chart.
- Their 2021 album “Hot Sauce” sold over 1.7 million copies, becoming “million sellers.”
- They have won numerous awards, including Rookie of the Year at the Melon Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards.
- They have embarked on three headlining tours in Korea from 2017 to 2020.
- They have a large global following, especially in Southeast Asia and North America.
Clearly, NCT Dream has built up a very strong Korean and international fanbase. Their album sales and touring history demonstrate their popularity worldwide.
NCT Dream’s Official US Promotions
While NCT Dream has not held an official tour or concert in the US yet, they have taken some key steps to promote themselves and connect with American fans:
- In 2018, they held “pop-up” performances in 4 US cities: Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and New York.
- In 2019, they performed at KCON festivals in Los Angeles and New York.
- They were featured at the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- They have made appearances on US television shows like The Late Late Show with James Corden.
These strategic promotions have allowed NCT Dream to start building their profile and fanbase in the US market. While they have not held full-fledged concerts yet, these appearances pave the way for larger tours down the line.
Factors That Support an NCT Dream US Tour
There are several key factors that make it likely NCT Dream could embark on a US tour soon:
- Their parent company SM Entertainment has experience organizing large K-pop tours in the US with groups like NCT 127, SuperM, and EXO.
- As a younger group, NCT Dream now has several members old enough to obtain visas and perform in the US.
- K-pop is more popular than ever in the US, with BTS paving the way by selling out stadiums on their recent tours.
- NCT Dream can leverage their connections and fans from KCON and US TV appearances.
- A US tour would be lucrative and elevate them as a top K-pop act.
The infrastructure and demand seem to now be there for NCT Dream to undertake a multi-city concert tour across the US. As their first full-group tour outside Asia, it would be a major milestone in their career.
Potential Hurdles to a US Tour
However, there are also some challenges and hurdles NCT Dream would need to overcome to make a US tour happen:
- As a large group with 7 members, logistics like booking venues, flights, hotels, etc. becomes more complex.
- SM will need to evaluate if the US demand is there to sell out arenas and stadiums, not just small theaters.
- They are still a relatively young group and may want to build their US profile more before taking on a major tour.
- Some members like Mark and Renjun will need to manage activities with other NCT sub-units.
- There is always financial risk organizing an overseas tour with high upfront costs.
While not insurmountable, these factors may mean more time is needed before NCT Dream’s company feels ready to mobilize a full US visit. Organizing a tour is a huge undertaking, so SM will want conditions to be right and optimal for success.
Forecasting NCT Dream’s Future US Promotions
Looking ahead, what are some likely next steps NCT Dream will take to continue growing their profile in the US market? Some possibilities include:
- Holding additional US showcases or fan meetings in key cities
- Releasing English language songs or collaborations with US artists
- Making more US TV appearances and interviews to share their personalities
- Attending more KCONs and building fan engagement at conventions
- Holding a multi-city tour of smaller, more intimate venues
- Organizing a full-fledged arena tour in 2024 or later
Rather than immediately jumping into arenas, NCT Dream may take a gradual approach by first booking mid-size theaters. This allows them to demonstrate ticket-selling power and gain experience organizing logistics in the US before scaling up.
Conclusion
In summary, an NCT Dream US tour seems imminent based on their accelerating success. While it may not happen right away in 2023, early steps like more TV promotions and fan events will lay the groundwork. Realistically, I predict NCT Dream will manage a short multi-city US tour in 2024, hitting major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago. If they sell out quickly, it could pave the way for an even bigger national tour at stadiums and arenas by 2025. As their popularity continues growing both in Korea and internationally, NCT Dream’s inaugural US tour is likely just a matter of when, not if.