When SM Entertainment announced that Sungchan and Shotaro were departing from NCT to debut in a different boy group, the company also released an update on the Japanese unit fans thought they would be part of. They announced that NCT Tokyo would be the final unit, formed from new Japanese members that will be revealed on a pre-debut reality show.
NCT’s newest group will become the final group to be a part of NCT’s infinite expansion, so we aim to launch one with a distinctive worldview that is truly representative of a regional identity.
In alignment with this, we will be increasing the number of Japanese members, unveiling new members, and sharing their debut journey with the fans.
— SM Entertainment
Considering that SMROOKIES‘ Shohei will not join NCT Tokyo either because of “health reasons,” the news wasn’t well-received.
Because of all the Japanese promotions Sungchan and Shotaro did as NCT members over three years, fans voiced their anger about SM Entertainment using them to generate hype for a group they wouldn’t be members of.
it’s insane sungchan and shotaro even did a tv show in japan for the sole purpose of promoting nct in japan only for them not to be in nct tokyo?? pic.twitter.com/nAGXzT62wU
— r; LTY1
(@4jeonglee) May 24, 2023
i’m sorry devastated, what was the point of having him promote in japan as an nct member?? to build the grounds for nct tokyo? the unit that he won’t even be in????
— saf 🦦 (@taromarklee) May 24, 2023
Fans were so angry about the news that many agreed they didn’t want NCT to debut another unit at all—especially NCT Tokyo.
i actually no longer want nct tokyo, fuck it, don’t expand nct anymore, JUST STOP. IF ITS NOT SUNGTARO AND THE ROOKIES, I DONT WANT IT
— SHINEE DAY 숩 ♡
(@doiepics) May 24, 2023
atp pls just stop nct tokyo we dont want it we dont need it, the only reason ppl were looking forward to it was bc of sungtaro and shohei so….. just… leave that shit in the drafts or it’ll astronomically flop
— ale; dm limit (@kittensjeno) May 24, 2023
Can they just scrap nct tokyo now, the only reason ppl were even looking forward to it was because of sungtaro and the rookies so, just cancel the plan at this point.
— Sherry | ia (@ry0_suzak1) May 24, 2023
With many of the trainees and NCT members that SM Entertainment originally introduced no longer being part of NCT Tokyo, fans are mourning the beloved group that could’ve been.
the NCT Tokyo that will remains in nctzen heart pic.twitter.com/zb0dS8PSVL
— yaya met 7dream (@satursats) May 24, 2023
Since NCTzens were able to make NCT DREAM a fixed group after SM Entertainment initially declared they would disband, it’s possible the company may consider fans’ reactions once again. Whatever happens, fans will continue to support Sungchan, Shotaro, and the SMROOKIES.
This content was originally published here.
