NCT now has its 3rd soloist— NCT 127 and NCT Dojaejung’s main vocalist Kim Doyoung.
On April 22, 2024, at 6 P.M. KST, SM Entertainment and Doyoung released his first solo album, “Youth” on all streaming platforms, along with the music video for the album’s lead single, “Little Light.”
Composed of 10 tracks, with the special participation of SM Entertainment artists Taeyeon and NCT’s Mark in the track “Time Machine,” the album is a showcase of Doyoung’s individuality and vocal prowess.
Youth is a theme that’s been used several times by numerous K-Pop boy groups these days, but for Doyoung, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily, “it was an inevitable choice” as he is “currently in the pinnacle of both his career and youth.”
At the same time, Doyoung, as much as possible, wanted to present an image completely separate from the NCT brand. For him, members Taeyong and Mark are the first people who come to people’s minds when they think of NCT, and as such, it gave him more freedom to choose the kind of music he wanted to do for his solo album.
While preparing for his solo debut, Doyoung revealed in an interview with The Korea Times that he asked himself, “What am I now?”, and then decided that he was someone living his youth enthusiastically. From that conclusion, he was determined to represent the diverse range of emotions that people feel in their youth, but also “did not try to define it since it can come in different forms.”
The album’s leading track, “Little Light,” is a nod to Doyoung’s past, where he was formerly part of a high school band. Cho Won-sang from the South Korean rock band Lucy wrote the song, with Doyoung saying that he loved the band’s music.
“Many artists sing about youth, but I am particularly fond of Lucy’s music for being both upbeat and sentimental. That’s why I got hold of Cho. I was actually touched by his tune as soon as I heard it.”
“Little Light”, according to Doyoung himself, is a message of hope and courage. “Everyone is the hero of their own story, but sometimes, it seems we truly desire to become the main characters.”
Simultaneously, Doyoung, in his first solo album, wants to be recognized by his voice and songs. “I want to sing the songs that everyone knows,” he started. “There are some tunes that people never know even if they reign atop multiple music streaming charts. But people can immediately recognize certain songs once they hear them, even though their rankings are not that high. The latter is what I pursue.”
The music video for “Little Light” sees Doyoung following and chasing a firefly, while in some shots the idol was seen performing amidst a green landscape. The beginning of the music video also seemed reminiscent of a scene in Shinkai Matoko’s 2016 film, “Your Name.”
NCTzens congratulated Doyoung for finally debuting as a solo artist—which was 8 years in the making since his debut in 2016. NCT members Mark and Haechan were seen showing their support for their “hyung.” Composers and producers who also participated in the making of Doyoung’s album also came forward to shower their support for Doyoung.
Doyoung admitted he knows when people think of nct they wont visualise doyoung but more of taeyong or mark. So through this solo, he wants to establish himself as a solo singer 🩵😭 he also said how he is not doing music thats currently trendy he just wants to do good music 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/Eivr3GWuhQ
— little light 🩵🌊 (@ddoingxo) April 22, 2024
240422 LUCY Gwangil's Instagram Story Update
"@ do0_nct
I will listen to hyung-nim's voice well!"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/zrfojKjZh0— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
240422 Mark's Instagram Story Update
"@ do0_nct #LittleLight#YOUTH"
"Our Doyoungie hyung's first solo album is finally out
Aren't the songs so good
Doyoung-ah let's gooo
Czennies let's gooooo
Lezzgooooo 🫶"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/g9cnaatI0n— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
240422 LUCY Wonsang's Instagram Update #DOYOUNG #도영
"Doyoung's solo album YOUTH
I participated in writing and arranging the title track Little Light
Doyoung-ah, I learnt a lot from you. You're someone whom I think is shining with your passion and attitude towards music, with… pic.twitter.com/A1igy49CbV— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
240422 Composer Ondine's Instagram Update
"I participated in Lost in California!
It's a song I love a lot, and I'm so happy as it seems like it has found an amazing home 🖤🌴"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/QDlK1nxV77— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
240422 Composer Xxio's Instagram Update
"I participated in 8. Lost in California!
It has been a very happy time working as a song I have so much affection for is sung by an amazing artiste 🥰"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/SsMMLbhGns— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
240422 Composer MooF Instagram Update
"It's a song I have a lot of affection for, and I'm thankful because Doyoung-nim sang it so amazingly.. 🥹"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/2oXj9WsBw7
— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
DOYOUNG has released ‘Little Light’ on all streaming platforms. pic.twitter.com/pLjsIFbOY8
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) April 22, 2024
all tuned in on your Little Light, doyoung 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/wFvq9nXJGh
— ㅍㅇ ❀ (@haemjjitokki) April 22, 2024
band_lucy official instagram acc posted a story of Doyoung's title track 'Little Light' featuring Wonsang as the producer🥺 pic.twitter.com/qCus9jDbgr
— 🎼 (@wsbdj) April 22, 2024
I really love everything about Little Light… Doyoung's voice and the lyrics feels so encouranging and comforting. Just like the theme, while it's true that 'youth' can feel painful, but I feel like it's also telling us that often the darkest night produces the brightest stars.+ https://t.co/U1zkl7Twpb pic.twitter.com/n80zPvUK2h
— Dyva🌸 (@captainuwu) April 22, 2024
little light 💚 pic.twitter.com/UH3wtZ3gR8
— DOYOUNG (@kdysource) April 22, 2024
the fan's reactions to hearing doyoung's "little light"
💚: i really like it 👏👏👏👏👏 it's really amazing. I think it will be a success. I almost cried
Doyoung: i almost cried when i first listened to it too
💚: did you also film the mv in jeju too?
Doyoung: yes i filmed it… pic.twitter.com/hmHqyOyMyF— ㅍㅇ ❀ (@haemjjitokki) April 20, 2024
#DOYOUNG on title track “Little Light”
– It almost made him cry as soon as he listen to it
– It’s perfectly fits his personal taste in music
– It has the band sound he’s always wanted to do
– Already wanted to make it as the title track 5 seconds into the song pic.twitter.com/NdbPpjC6dM— dian 🩵 (@clairdelune48) April 17, 2024
240422 Mark's Instagram Story Update
"@ do0_nct
@ taeyeon_ss
This combination is crazy 🫢"#DY_LITTLELIGHT_OutNow #청춘을_밝힐_도영이의_반딧불#DOYOUNG #도영 pic.twitter.com/o3boB3OhI5— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) April 22, 2024
Congratulations on your debut and for this “little light,” Doyoung!
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