page_title: NCT Dream
section_title: 2018: NCT 2018: Empathy, We Go Up, and Mark's graduation
hierarchical_section_title: NCT Dream / History / 2018: NCT 2018: Empathy, We Go Up, and Mark's graduation
caption_attribution_description: English: NCT Dream at the 2018 Incheon Airport Sky Festival on September 2, 2018. Аҧсшәа: 2018년 9월 2일 스카이페스티벌에서의 엔시티 드림.
context_page_description: NCT Dream is a South Korean boyband which serves as the third sub-unit of K-pop boyband NCT, formed by SM Entertainment in 2016 then as the teen-aged unit of NCT, later evolved away from their youth image and was re-branded in 2020 when the members became adults. The group debuted on August 25, 2016 with the single "Chewing Gum", with seven members Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung, then at an average age of 15.6 years old. NCT Dream has been internationally recognised as among most notable teen-aged artists of their time, known for music reflecting the growth of the youth. The narrative of their title tracks have conveyed thoughts following different stages of adolescent development, with transition from innocence to rebellion and growth. So far, NCT Dream have released four extended plays, six singles, and headlined one international tour in Asia. Commercial success of their 2019 EP release We Boom turned NCT Dream into one of the top 10 best physical sellers of South Korea in 2019 and earned them Bonsang Awards at the 34th Golden Disc Awards and 2020 Seoul Music Awards.
context_section_description: NCT Dream promoted alongside NCT U and NCT 127 as NCT 2018 for the first quarter of 2018. On March 4, 2018, NCT Dream released their single, "Go", which was included in NCT's first album, NCT 2018 Empathy. The song marked a transition in NCT Dream's narrative, from the portrayal of innocence to a "more defiant attitude" of teenagers. It also marked the group's first comeback with Jaemin since their debut.
  SM Entertainment announced in late August that NCT Dream would be releasing an EP titled We Go Up in September. On August 27, it was announced that the album would be the last comeback with Mark who would be graduating from the group in 2019 when he would become 19 and hence reach the age of adulthood in Korea. The EP was released on September 3, 2018 alongside the lead single of the same name. We Go Up entered Billboard's World Albums chart at number five and Heatseekers Albums chart at number seven, which marks NCT Dream's then best sales week in the U.S. The album also topped iTunes Albums charts in 15 countries.
  NCT Dream was featured on the 21 Under 21 2018: Music's Next Generation list by Billboard as the only Asian artist for the year. All members were listed on Time's 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018 list.
  On December 19, it was announced Haechan would be taking a hiatus from the group due to an injury, but he returned soon afterwards. On December 27, NCT Dream released their third and final single of the year titled "Candle Light" under the SM Entertainment's digital music project SM Station.  The song was a message of gratitude and love - its lyrics written by Mark - and was then the last song featuring the original seven members before Mark officially graduated from the unit on December 31.
caption: NCT Dream at the 2018 Incheon Airport Sky Festival.
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