"The First" is the debut double A-side single by South Korean-Chinese boy band NCT Dream, the third sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT. It was released on February 9, 2017 with "My First and Last" serving as the single's title track.
Contents
Background and release
NCT's third unit, NCT Dream, consists of seven members: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. They debuted with the digital single "Chewing Gum" on August 24, 2016.
On February 1, 2017, NCT Dream announced that they would be releasing their first single, "The First". SM Entertainment announced that Jaemin will not be participating in this comeback due to his health problems.
Described as a lively dance track with a light-hearted melody and a pounding bass, "My First and Last" served as the album's title track and was released on February 9, in both Korean and Mandarin versions. The album also includes a cover of Lee Seung-hwan's 1993 hit song "Dunk Shot".
Promotion
The group had their first comeback stage on Mnet's M Countdown on February 9 where they performed "My First and Last" and "Dunk Shot".
Commercial performance
"The First" debuted at number one on the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated February 5–11, 2017. It placed at number 40 on Gaon's year-end chart. After years from its release, the album re-entered on the Gaon Chart at number 12 for the month of February, 2021.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Xiami.
G-High – vocal directing (track 1–2), recording (track 1–2), digital editing (track 1–2)
Kenzie – vocal directing (track 3–5), background vocals (track 3–5)
MQ – rap directing (track 4–5)
NCT Dream – vocals, background vocals
Mark – vocals, background vocals (track 3), rap making (track 3)
Renjun – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Jeno – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Haechan – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Jaemin – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Chenle – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Jisung – vocals, background vocals (track 3)
Onestar – background vocals (track 1–2)
August Rigo – background vocals (track 1–2)
Kye Bum-joo – background vocals (track 3–5)
Choi Hoon – bass performer (track 3)
Hong Joon-ho – guitar performer (track 3)
Lee Min-gyu – recording (track 3–5), digital editing (track 3–5)
Locations
Recording
SM Big Shot Studio
SM Blue Cup Studio
SM Blue Ocean Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
MonoTree Studio
In Grid Studio
prelude Studio
Editing
SM Big Shot Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
MonoTree Studio
doobdoob Studio
In Grid Studio
Mixing
SM Concert Hall Studio
SM Yellow Tail Studio
SM Blue Cup Studio
