Neo Zone

Neo Zone (also known as NCT #127: Neo Zone) is the second Korean studio album (third overall) by the South Korean boy band NCT 127. Preceded by the music video release for "Dreams Come True" on NCT 127 Day, January 27 (1/27), the 13-track album was released through SM Entertainment and Capitol Music Group on March 6, 2020.[3] Neo Zone contains various musical genres from hip hop, R&B, funk, to electro-pop, which aimed to create a soundscape that broadened the group's sonic vision.[4] The repackaged version of the album, titled NCT No. 127 Neo Zone: The Final Round, was released on May 19, 2020.[5][6]

Neo Zone
A retro, '90s-themed square with both the album's title in black and the group's name in warm color. A Chinese-styled and light-color rooftop can be seen in the background.
Digital, kihno and T version cover
Studio album by
NCT 127
ReleasedMarch 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)[1][2]
Recorded2017–2020
StudioSM (Seoul)
Genre
Length45:46
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
Producer
NCT 127 chronology
Neo City: Seoul – The Origin
(2019)		 Neo Zone
(2020)		 Loveholic
(2021)
NCT chronology
The Dream
(2020)		 Neo Zone
(2020)		 Reload
(2020)
Singles from Neo Zone
  1. "Dreams Come True"
    Released: January 27, 2020
  2. "Kick It"
    Released: March 6, 2020
Alternative cover
Repackage edition digital cover
Repackage edition digital cover
Singles from Neo Zone: The Final Round
  1. "Punch"
    Released: May 19, 2020

Several music critics noted the album's strong 1990s hip hop and R&B influences and the experimentation with various sounds. The album was commercially successful, becoming their fifth chart-topper on the Gaon Album Chart while earning the group their first top-five entry on the Billboard 200 chart, with first week sales of 87,000 album-equivalent units. As of April 2020, the album had sold over 805,000 copies in South Korea, becoming the group's first release to receive a multi-Platinum KMCA certification. The repackage gave the group their sixth number one title on the Gaon Album Chart, and rose cumulative sales of the record to over 1.2 million copies.

Three singles were released from Neo Zone: including the pre-released "Dreams Come True", the lead single "Kick It", and the repackaged album's single "Punch". To promote the album, the group performed on South Korean music programs including Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo, while becoming the first K-pop act to perform at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The group originally planned to embark on their first U.S. arena tour; titled "Neo City – The Awards" from June 6, 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Background and release

Neo Zone

After wrapping up promotion activities in the United States by the end of November 2019, SM Entertainment uploaded a music video for "Dreams Come True" onto the group's official channel, along with the release announcement for NCT #127: Neo Zone on January 27, 2020.[7][8] The label further confirmed that member Jungwoo would re-join and participate in the group's promotion activities following his initial hiatus from August 2019.[3][9][10] This marked Neo Zone their first release since Neo City: Seoul – The Origin in October 2019, their first original release since We Are Superhuman in May 2019 and their second full-length album, following Regular-Irregular and its repackage in late 2018.

On February 12, the group released a 90's-influenced "timeline" video for the album on all social media platforms of the group, including a release schedule and announcing "영웅 / 英雄 (Kick It)" as the lead single.[11][12] It was then followed by several track videos previewing other songs from the album. before the music video teaser for "Kick It" was uploaded on the official SMTown channel on March 3, 2020.[13] The album was eventually released both physically and digitally on March 6, 2020, with two different versions N, C, and different album covers.[14][15] The T version was released later on March 20, 2020, while the Kihno version was released on March 27, 2020.[16][17] With the exception of the album's interlude, the remaining album tracks of Neo Zone were uploaded fully onto the group's official channel, thus making it the group's first release to do so.

Neo Zone: The Final Round

Following the commercial success of Neo Zone in March 2020. SM Entertainment announced on April 7 that a repackage version of the album, titled NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round would be released sometimes in May 2020.[5] The release date was later confirmed to be on May 19, 2020, with four new tracks including the third single, titled "Punch".[6] The first image teasers of the repackage edition, which contains a similar release schedule like the original release, was revealed on NCT 127's official Twitter account.[18] A 22-second music video teaser for "Punch" was released onto the group's native label YouTube channel on May 17, 2020, three days prior to its official premiere.[19] The album was eventually released in all formats on May 19, while the physical release date for United States was scheduled to be on June 12, 2020, instead. The repackage is available in two versions, featuring a CD-R with all seventeen tracks, photo booklet and collectibles accordingly to the package artwork.[20] Similar to their previous release, three new songs from The Final Round was uploaded onto the group's official YouTube channel as well.

Recording and production

Recording process for the album took place at SM Studio, located in Seoul, South Korea. The production for Neo Zone however, started sometimes in early 2017 as American production team The Stereotypes had their own songwriting camp for SM Entertainment, not long after their work for Bruno Mars's 2016 studio album 24K Magic. Meanwhile, South Korean songwriter and producer Deez was seeking for something "new and fun", having worked on three other songs at the same time. He eventually reached out to the production team, looking for any unused track that "has the "That's What I Like"-vibe" among the demos they had for Mars' album. As the team played their demos on laptop, Deez eventually chose one that matched what he was looking. Together with songwriter Bianca "Blush" Atterberry, he managed to complete "Love Song", with the original demo was said to contain "more harmony" than the final version. The recording process for this track was, however, completed "in a very short time", though the producer said "Love Song" was "difficult to sing". After returning from a song session in the United States during sometimes in 2018, Deez participated in another SM songwriting camp, where he produced the uptempo track "Love Me Now" in "about four hours". Even though the song had a more pop-oriented sound, he used R&B elements to "build a more Pop-tic but a little unusual topline", with the result being "satisfying". With "Dreams Come True", the composers originally had NCT 127's 2018 single "Touch" in mind, with British production team LDN Noise creating a basic loop. Deez and songwriter Bobii Lewis then wrote additional arrangement; including piano and musical variations, bridge and main Moog lines to complete the track first. It was eventually a favorite from the A&R executives, and the first track to be recorded by the members.[4]

"I got inspiration from my own personal experiences and the overall atmosphere and subject of the song, and put those two together. And this time around, it was more of a team effort—rather than relying solely on my own creativity, I wrote my lyrics so they flowed well with Johnny and Mark's rhyming and flow. "

—Taeyong on the process of writing for the group's second full-length Korean album.[21]

For the lead single "Kick It", the group recalled having to record the hook up to late at night. According to producer Deez, the song was "revised and multiplied" for about a hundred times from end of December 2019 to early February 2020. Co-produced with American producer Dem Jointz and SM songwriter-producer Yoo Young-jin (whom worked with the group during their recording session), the song was originally prepared to "gird the loins" for "Cherry Bomb 2.0", with the outcome being "stronger" than the 2017 single. With the song's beat loop created by Abernathy, Deez constructed and composed the bridge and the dance break section with the idea of "maintaining" the "harmonic vocal color" and "extensively energetic" chord work, thus giving an R&B arrangement to bring out a "trendy and old-school" color to the song. Member Taeyong and Mark were said to have recorded their rap parts in one-take to their preferences, and proceeded to arrange all the qualified cuts later with the album's producers. As the album wrapped up its recording process, Deez was requested by the label to create an additional instrumental prelude, which he produced by using excerpts of "Kick It" to create an "oriental" interlude shortly before the album release in March. In addition to his initial composition contribution, Deez also took part as the vocal director for "White Night", a collaboration between American producer Harvey Mason Jr. (former member of The Underdogs), The Wildcardz production team and SM songwriter Kenzie. He further revealed that the recording session for the track was "quite long" due to the traditional R&B elements compared to the group's previous R&B works.[22] In addition to the usual lyrical contribution by Taeyong and Mark, member Johnny also took part in writing for two songs in the album, namely "Pandora's Box" and "Love Song" with his aforementioned two group members.[21]

Composition

Neo Zone
American singer Bazzi co-wrote "Boom" for Neo Zone.

Described as a "diversified selection" of mainly hip-hop and "slinky" R&B cuts with strong 1990s influence, the 13-track album also includes elements from funk, trap, noise-pop, metal, dance-pop and EDM music.[23][24] The album opens with "Elevator (127F)", a "feel-good" midtempo dance number with funk elements and 90's R&B influence which is "refreshing" and "perfect" for an album opener, according to the members.[25][4] It was proceeded by the album's lead single "Kick It", a "powerful" hip-hop dance record with heavy metal guitar riff and R&B elements throughout the song.[26] Produced by American producer Dem Jointz, South Korean songwriter Deez, Ryan S. Jhun, Mayila Jones and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, with Yoo Young-jin took part in the song's arrangement, the song tells how the members overcome their own traumas and fears to become the "heroes" they are, thus fitting the Korean title of the song.[27] The third track "Boom" is a "half-dreamy and half-beat-driven" song that contains a "unique" melody change as the melody hook of the song starts. It was co-written and performed in demo by American singer and songwriter Bazzi, whom member Mark is a huge fan of. The album continues with "Pandora's Box", a "jazzy, slow-burning" 90's-influenced R&B track produced by producer Erik Lidbom. With lyrics co-written by member Taeyong, Mark and Johnny (whom participated in writing lyrics for the first time), the boy group channels their "endearing cheesiness" as they compare their love interest to that of a Pandora's box.[28] The fifth track "Day Dream" is described as a "mysterious, dream-like" track by the members, with "memorable" lyrics based on Alice in Wonderland while showcasing the group's "ethereal" vocals.

The next half of Neo Zone starts with "Interlude: Neo Zone", an instrumental interlude that makes listeners "imagine" a powerful and energetic performance according to member Jungwoo. Starting out with strings and piano instrument, the interlude slowly progresses with wind chime sound before turning into an EDM-trap groove, which suits the signature "NEO" sound of the group. It was followed by the Hitchhiker-assisted "Mad Dog", a "raucous" hip-hop banger performed by member Taeyong and Mark which contains metal riff and "brassy" trap breakdown with a key change at the second drop, accompanied with a "dreamy" bridge by member Taeil and Doyoung. "Sit Down" is described as a "thunderous", "rare strong song" and hailed as the most straight-up hip-hop moment of the album, with 90s R&B vibe included. Produced by high-profile producers such as Harvey Mason Jr. and Patrick "J. Que" Smith, its lyrics recite how the members refused to be "tied down" to any standard. The EDM-influenced "Love Me Now" is said to be a "concert banger" and a "great song" to perform at concert by member Yuta, while being compared to the group's previous tracks like "Replay (PM 01:27)" and "Switch". The tenth track "Love Song" is another R&B track which is "full of attitude and soul" by the members, as the chorus is performed together with ad-libs appeared throughout the entire song. Production for the track came from The Stereotypes and Deez, with the former being most known for their work with Bruno Mars while having previously worked with NCT 127 twice ("Back 2 U (AM 01:27)" and "City 127"). It was continued with "White Night", a "traditional" R&B ballad track which invokes "jazz piano-laden" soul influence which became a favorite of member Taeil. On "Not Alone", the members takes a "much more minimalistic" approach over a "tender, warm" trap-influenced synth-pop beat, where they embrace a hopeful message that "we are never alone." The final track "Dreams Come True" saw the group collaborate again with LDN Noise and Deez for a "classic, nostalgic" R&B throwback with jazzy piano melody that recalls both the visual and sonic aesthetics of '90s boy band R&B ballads. It was among the first songs the group recorded for their second album, and became a personal favorite of member Doyoung.[3]

Neo Zone: The Final Round

Following the repackage confirmation by the group's home label on April 7, 2020, the title of four new additional songs to the original 13-track release were revealed: "Punch", "Non Stop", "Make Your Day" and "序曲; Prelude". The urban soul, Hip hop "Punch" describes the "dynamic beat that rings in boxers' ears" when they enter the boxing ring with "intense and unique" synths. Written by SM songwriter Kenzie (whom member Doyoung confirmed her participation through the group's official Twitter account) and co-produced by Dem Jointz, the song shares how the members overcome their "lonely moments" whenever they feel like "fighting obstacles alone".[29][30] It is the lead single from The Final Round, and subsequently the third single overall from Neo Zone. She also contributed both lyrics and composition to the second track "Non Stop", a strong future bass-influenced track with synth sound and drum beats expressing how one "won't stop running" to reach for their love interest despite the hardships. Production team LDN Noise also took part in the song's arrangement, having previously worked with the group on "Dreams Come True".[31] "Make Your Day" is described as a jazzy, "warm pop ballad" which sees the member harmonize chorus together with strings, rich harmony and their soft voice over a warm piano melody. The song features the vocal from five members: Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan.[32] The repackage album also sees the addition of "序曲; Prelude", an instrumental interlude precedes "Kick It" as the now-fourth track. According to producer Deez, the "oriental, ethnic" interlude is meant to "flow naturally" to "Kick It" as it goes along, sampling the main riff and the "na na na" harmonization during the dance break. The interlude was among the last additional work to be created before the initial release of Neo Zone, and was eventually performed live during the group's promotion cycle for "Kick It".[22]

Singles and promotion

Singles

Prior to the official release, the group revealed a '90s-influenced music video for "Dreams Come True" through their official YouTube channel on January 27, 2020 (which coincided with the group's 127 number).[33] The song eventually peaked at number one hundred ninety-six and number sixty on Gaon Digital Chart and Billboard K-Pop Hot 100, respectively.[34][35] The music video for the second single "Kick It" was revealed two days prior to its digital release, which coincided with the album release). The song achieved an increasing digital performance comparing to the group's previous releases, peaking at number twenty-one on Gaon Digital Chart, number nine and three on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 and World Digital Songs, respectively.[36][37] The song also became the group's second appearance on the New Zealand Hot 40 Singles chart, and third on the Japan Hot 100 chart; peaking at number thirty-eight and eighty-four respectively.[38]

Following the repackage confirmation by SM Entertainment on April 7, the group announced that "Punch" would be the lead single for the re-release edition. In continuation to the group's rising success, the single became their first top five entry on the Gaon Digital Chart, and their highest-charting release on the Japan Hot 100 since the release of their 2018 Japanese single "Chain."[39]

Tour and live performances

Promotion for the album started with the group's first performance for the then-unreleased "序曲; Prelude" and "Kick It" as NCT 127 The Stage through their official channel on March 5, 2020.[40][41] A day later, NCT 127 had their first music show performance for the lead single on Music Bank, followed by their promotion on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[42] During the second promotion week on Music Bank and SBS Radio, the group performed the eleventh track "White Night".[43][44] NCT 127 eventually earned their first Music Bank trophy for "Kick It" on March 27, 2020.[45][46] NCT 127 then started promoting their third single "Punch" from May 22, 2020, with a live performance on Music Bank, with similar scheduled promotion on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo to that of "Kick It."[47][48] They eventually won the first M Countdown trophy on May 28, 2020, despite not attending nor performing at the show.[49] The song has since achieved a total of four trophies, tying with "Regular" as their most winning title on such television music shows.

In continuation to their previous promotion activities in the United States, the group had their first gig on March 10 at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, becoming the very first K-pop act to perform at the show.[50][51] It was reported that they would embark on their first U.S. arena tour; titled "Neo City – The Awards", to promote Neo Zone starting from June 6 at New York City's Madison Square Garden, which was later postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.[52][53][54] As announced earlier by their home label, NCT 127 had their scheduled live streaming Beyond Live concert on May 17, 2020, proceeding their fellow unit as the fourth headlining act.[55] The group also performed live "Punch" and the album track "Make Your Day" for the first time during their live streaming concert.[56]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[57]
Consequence of SoundB+[23]
IZM[58]

Following its release, Neo Zone received positive reviews from music critics. Giving the album 3 stars out of 5, writer Im Sun-hwi of IZM noted that the diverse multi-genre release had a few hip-hop moments that "did not live up to expectations", but praised the lead single and the latter half of the album for its "refreshing" atmosphere and proved that the group's success with the album was "not a coincidence".[59] According to Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum of Consequence of Sound, the album presents the group at their best, as it "checks off all the boxes when it comes to playing to their strengths, which include vocal versatility, a diversified selection of hip-hop and R&B jams, and giving fans a fun, good time".[23] Writing for Clash, writer Debbie Aderinkomi complimented the album as an "assurement" to please the group's fandom and new fans alike, while noting "its blend and influence" from different genres like pop, R&B and rap despite any "lack of certain cohesion" impression, giving the group eight points out of ten.[60] In a Rolling Stone article by Tim Chan, the writer praised the album's ability to "seamlessly slide in and out of genres" and "experimenting" for making the group become a stand-out.[28] Vandana Pawa of Teen Vogue said that the group "feels more fully-evolved" and "more choosy" than ever, along with the confidence in their presentation through the release of Neo Zone, further indicated the boy band's broader vision for a "dynamic, passionate" presence.[25]

Billboard ranked Neo Zone as the 5th best K-pop album of 2020, while South China Morning Post included the repackage in their unranked list of the top 15 K-pop albums of the year.[61] MTV News included "Love Me Now" at number 17 in their list of best K-pop B-sides of 2020.[62]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number one on Gaon Album Chart for the week of March 7, 2020, becoming the group's fifth chart-topper and their second release to stay atop more than one week.[63][64] Except for the album's interlude, the entire album tracks also charted on the Gaon Digital Chart, making Neo Zone the group's first release to do so.[65] It eventually became the top-selling album of March 2020 on Gaon Album Chart, with a cumulative sales of 748,000 copies from both the physical version and the Kihno version, which appeared independently at number eleven on the monthly chart.[66] Combined an additional sales of over 59,000 copies (counting both the standard and Kihno version) in April 2020, the album has since achieved a cumulative sales of over 807,000 copies, thus granting NCT 127 their first album to qualify for a multi-Platinum KMCA certification.[67][68] Upon its re-release under the name The Final Round, the album spent a third week atop the chart, and was the second best-selling release of May 2020 on the monthly chart of Gaon Album Chart with 409,620 copies sold. It was also certified Platinum by KCMA, earning NCT 127 their fourth Platinum-certified release. With the repackage edition's sales combined, Neo Zone became the first million-seller album for NCT 127 in South Korea, having sold over 1,2 million copies as of May 2020.[69]

The album also attained international success. By debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 87,000 album-equivalent units (including 83,000 pure album sales), Neo Zone surpassed the eleventh-peaked We Are Superhuman to become the group's first top five entry, earning them their best sales week to date, and subsequently their longest chart performance on the chart to date. Following the release of The Final Round, the album re-entered the chart at number fourteen on the week of June 27, 2020, before descending to number forty the following week.[70][71] Additionally, Neo Zone was the eighth best-selling physical release in the States as of June 2020, having sold an estimated total of 196,000 copies.[72] It also became the group's third chart-topper on the Billboard World Albums chart following Limitless (2017) and We Are Superhuman (2019), and by far their longest topping reign on the chart with three weeks at number one position, upon its re-release.[73] It also appeared at number twenty-six and thirty-four on the Canadian Albums Chart and the Official UK Digital Album chart respectively, thus making it their highest peak position to date.[74][75] The album also reached a peak of number three on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart, having sold a total of 32,453 copies as of April 2020, while The Final Round reached number four upon its release in later May.[76][77]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Naver

Neo Zone track listing[78]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Elevator (127F)"
  • Cheon Song-yi (Joombas)
  • Sly
  • Wolfgang
  • Jacobs
3:29
2."Kick It" (영웅; 英雄; Yeong-ung; lit. Hero)
  • Wutan
  • Rick Bridges
  • danke (lalala Studio)
  • Dem Jointz
  • Deez
  • Yoo Young-jin
3:53
3."Boom" (꿈; Kkum; lit. Dream)
  • Rice N' Peas
3:29
4."Pandora's Box" (낮잠; Natjam; lit. Nap)
  • Erik Lidbom
Lidbom4:09
5."Day Dream" (Hanja: 白日夢; RR: Baegilmong)
  • Hwang Yoo-bin
  • Ian Jeffrey Thomas (Nopromo Co)
  • Hannah Wilson
  • Ariowa Irosogie
  • Andrew Beckner (Nopromo Co)
  • Nopromo Co
3:25
6."Interlude: Neo Zone" Squar (Blur)Squar (Blur)1:39
7."Mad Dog" (뿔; Ppul; lit. Horn) (sung by Taeil, Doyoung, Mark and Taeyong)
  • Kim Boo-min
  • Taeyong
  • Mark
  • Hitchhiker
  • Charles "Chizzy" Stephens III
  • John Fulford III
  • Christopher Newland
Hitchhiker3:03
8."Sit Down!"
  • Hwang Yoo-bin
  • Tommy Strate
  • Mason Jr.
  • Kevin Randolph
3:20
9."Love Me Now" (메아리; Meari; lit. Echo)
  • Le'mon (Joombas)
  • Rick Bridges
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Deez
  • Willbart "Vedo" McCoy III
  • Daley
  • Owens
4:08
10."Love Song" (우산; Usan; lit. Umbrella)
  • The Stereotypes
  • Deez
3:35
11."White Night" (백야; Baegya)
  • Kenzie
  • Mason Jr.
  • Randolph
  • Dewain Whitmore
  • Ester Na (The Wildcardz)
  • Sadie Currey (The Wildcardz)
  • Mason Jr.
  • Randolph
4:03
12."Not Alone"
  • Nicki Adamsson
  • Michael Matosic
  • Michelle Elaine Buzz
  • Adamsson
3:45
13."Dreams Come True"
  • LDN Noise
3:45
Total length:45:46
Neo Zone: The Final Round track listing[79]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Punch"
  • Kenzie
3:24
2."Non Stop"
3:24
3."Prelude" (서곡; 序曲; Seogok) 
  • Deez
1:45
4."Kick It" (영웅; 英雄; Yeong-ung; lit. Hero)
  • Wutan
  • Rick Bridges
  • danke (lalala Studio)
3:53
5."Boom" (꿈; Kkum; lit. Dream)
  • Rice N' Peas
3:29
6."Pandora's Box" (낮잠; Natjam; lit. Nap)
  • Erik Lidbom
  • Erik Lidbom
4:09
7."Day Dream" (Hanja: 白日夢; RR: Baegilmong)
  • Hwang Yoo-bin
  • Ian Jeffrey Thomas (NOPROMO Co)
  • Hannah Wilson
  • Ariowa Irosogie
  • Andrew Beckner (NOPROMO Co)
  • NOPROMO Co
3:25
8."Make Your Day" (너의 하루; Neoui Haru; lit. Your day) (sung by Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan)
  • ADC Music
3:35
9."Interlude: Neo Zone" SQUAR (Blur)SQUAR (Blur)1:39
10."Mad Dog" (뿔; Bbul; lit. Horn) (sung by Taeil, Doyoung, Mark and Taeyong)
  • Hitchhiker
  • Charles "Chizzy" Stephens III
  • John Fulford III
  • Christopher Newland
3:03
11."Sit Down!"
  • Hwang Yoo-bin
  • Tommy $trate
3:20
12."Love Me Now" (메아리; Meari; lit. Echo)
  • Le'mon (Joombas)
  • Rick Bridges
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Deez
  • Willbart "Vedo" McCoy III
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
4:08
13."Love Song" (우산; Usan; lit. Umbrella)
3:35
14."White Night" (백야; Baegya)
4:03
15."Not Alone"
  • Nicki Adamsson
  • Michael Matosic
  • Michelle Elaine Buzz
  • Nicki Adamsson
3:45
16."Dreams Come True"
3:45
17."Elevator (127F)"
  • Cheon Song-yi (Joombas)
  • Sivertsen
  • McElligott
  • Jacobs
  • Sivertsen
  • McElligott
  • Jacobs
3:29
Total length:57:55

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart performance for both Neo Zone and The Final Round
Chart (2020) Peak
position
NZ TFR
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[80] 100 —
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[81] 141 —
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[82] 26 —
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[83][84] 15 15
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[76][77] 3 4
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[85][86] 14 21
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[87] 82 —
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[88] 10 —
Scottish Albums (OCC)[89] 47 —
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[90][91] 1 1
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[92] 34 —
US Billboard 200[93] 5 14
US Top Album Sales[94] 1 1
US Independent Albums[95] 2 2
US Tastemaker Albums[96] 1 1
US World Albums (Billboard)[97] 1 1

Monthly charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
NZ TFR
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[98][99] 13 12
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[66][100] 1 2

Year-end charts
Chart (2020) Position
NZ TFR
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[101] 74 —
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[102] 69 —
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[103] 8 14
US Billboard 200[104] 200 —
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[105] 20 —

Certifications
Certifications for Neo Zone
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[106] 3× Platinum 750,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Certifications for Neo Zone: The Final Round
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[107] 2× Platinum 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Accolades
Music program awards
Song Program Date Ref.
"Punch" M Countdown May 28, 2020 [49]
June 4, 2020 [108]
Music Bank May 29, 2020 [109]
Show! Music Core May 30, 2020 [110]

Release history
Release history and formats for Neo Zone
Region Album Date label Format(s) Catalog Ref.
Various Neo Zone March 6, 2020 SM
— [111]
United States
CD (N & C Version) SMCD227/8 [112]
South Korea
SMK1130 [113]
March 20, 2020 CD (T Version) SMK1132 [114]
March 27, 2020 Kihno SMKH045 [16]
United States April 17, 2020
  • SM
  • Caroline
 CD (T Version) SMCD229 [115]
Various Neo Zone: The Final Round May 19, 2020 SM
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 — [116]
South Korea
  • SM
  • Dreamus
 CD (1st & 2nd player Version) SMK1149 [117]
United States June 12, 2020
  • SM
  • Caroline
 SMCD230/1 [118]
South Korea June 15, 2020
  • SM
  • Dreamus
 Kihno SMKH049 [119]

See also

References
  1. "NCT 127 Share Details On New 'Neo Zone' Full-Length Album With U.S. Pre-Order". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. "NCT 127 to make comeback with repack 'Neo Zone: The Final Round'". SBS. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  3. Herman, Tamar (January 27, 2020). "'Dreams Come True'! NCT 127 Drop New Video With Jungwoo & Announce 'Neo Zone' Album for NCT 127 Day". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  4. "NCT 127 Break Down "Neo Zone" Album". Billboard. 2020-03-06. Archived from the original on 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  5. "SM 측 "NCT 127, 5월 발매 목표로 리패키지 앨범 준비 중" [공식입장] 본문듣기 설정". Naver. April 7, 2020. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  6. "NCT 127 컴백, 신곡 '펀치' 오는 19일 발표". 매일경제 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-05-08. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  7. #NCT127DAY Gift Song 〈Dreams Come True〉, archived from the original on 2020-03-12, retrieved 2020-05-02
  8. "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  9. "NCT 127 정우, 12월 팬미팅 불참 "내년쯤 활동 합류"(공식)". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  10. "[공식] NCT127, 3월 6일 정규 2집 컴백...기프트송 스페셜 영상 공개". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  11. NCT 127 NEO ZONE #Timeline, archived from the original on 2020-03-26, retrieved 2020-04-29
  12. "NCT 127 'Neo Zone' LP Teasers: See Them". Billboard. 2020-02-14. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  13. NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' MV Teaser, archived from the original on 2020-03-16, retrieved 2020-04-29
  14. "The 2nd Album 'NCT #127 Neo Zone' (N Ver.)". SM Global Shop. Archived from the original on 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  15. "The 2nd Album 'NCT #127 Neo Zone' (C Ver.)". SM Global Shop. Archived from the original on 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  16. 엔시티 127 (NCT 127) 2집 – NCT #127 Neo Zone [스마트 뮤직 앨범(키트 앨범)] – YES24 [NCT 127 2nd Album – NCT #127 Neo Zone [Smart Music Album (Kit Album)]]. Yes 24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  17. "The Second Album 'NCT #127 Neo Zone' CD (T Ver.) + Digital Album – NCT 127 Official Store". shop.nct127.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  18. "Neo Zone [The Final Round: Schedule] NCT 127 The 2nd Album Repackage〖 NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round 〗NCT 127 〖 Punch 〗Music Release ➫ 2020 05 19 6PM (KST)Music Video ➫ 2020 05 20 0AM (KST) #NCT127 #Punch #NCT127_Punch #NeoZone_TheFinalRoundpic.twitter.com/Oybw7z09TJ". @NCTsmtown_127. 2020-05-04. Archived from the original on 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  19. NCT 127 엔시티 127 'Punch' MV Teaser, archived from the original on 2020-05-23, retrieved 2020-05-17
  20. "NCT 127 – Repackage Album Vol.2 [NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round] (Random Ver.) *Different versions will be sent in case of purchasing 2 or more". www.ktown4u.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  21. Bailey, Alyssa (2020-03-18). "NCT 127 on Representing K-Pop Abroad and Their Favorite Hair Colors". ELLE. Archived from the original on 2020-05-25. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  22. Youngdae, 음악평론가 김영대 Kim (2020-03-29). "NCT 127의 작곡가 디즈(DEEZ)와의 인터뷰". Medium. Archived from the original on 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  23. Hodoyan-Gastelum, Alexis (March 4, 2020). "NCT 127 Return With an Expanded Wheelhouse on NEO ZONE". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  24. Benjamin, Jeff. "NCT 127 Bring The Necessary Noise To K-Pop While Expanding Musical Identity On 'Neo-Zone' Album". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  25. Pawa, Vandana. "On Neo Zone, NCT 127 Evolves Into the Next Great Version of Themselves". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  26. "SM Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  27. "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  28. Chan, Tim (2020-03-06). "NCT 127 Can't Be Stopped". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  29. "NCT 127, 어반 소울 힙합곡으로 컴백 '역대급 중독성 예고'". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  30. "시즈니 5월 19일에 펀치 나오는 소식 들었어요?? 리팩 궁금한거 우리가 다 말해주께요. 물어봐주세요.!!! #우리칠에게궁금펀치날리기 조만간 우리가 다 알려주겠다.! 그전에 내가 한가지 스포해줄까여? Punch 켄지누나가 써주신노래다! 끝나따 @.@ #NCT127 #NCT127_Punch #NCT". @NCTsmtown_127 (in Korean). 2020-04-27. Archived from the original on 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  31. "NCT 127, 와일드한 매력의 수록곡 'NonStop' 트랙 비디오 13일 공개". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  32. "'컴백 예열' NCT 127, 오늘(10일) 수록곡 '너의 하루' 트랙 비디오 공개". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  33. "[공식] NCT127, 3월 6일 정규 2집 컴백...기프트송 스페셜 영상 공개". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  34. "Gaon Weekly Digital Chart – Week 13, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  35. "Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  36. "Gaon Weekly Digital Chart – Week 11, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  37. "World Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  38. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  39. "Gaon Weekly Digital Chart – Week 21, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  40. NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' @NCT 127 THE STAGE (SQUAD & FIGHTER Ver.), archived from the original on 2021-05-22, retrieved 2020-04-30
  41. "SM Entertainment". www.smentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  42. "NCT 127, 신곡 '영웅' 무대 '뮤직뱅크' 최초 공개". 뉴스1 (in Korean). 2020-03-03. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  43. [컬투쇼] 백야(White Night) – NCT 127 LIVE, archived from the original on 2020-04-04, retrieved 2020-05-02
  44. "[뮤직뱅크] 주체할 수 없는 흥으로 이끄는 무대! <서곡+영웅> – NCT 127 본문듣기 설정". Naver (in Korean). 2020-03-27. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  45. "엔시티127(NCT 127), '영웅'으로 '뮤직뱅크' 1위 달성 (ft. 릴레이 댄스) – 박정민 기자". 톱스타뉴스 (in Korean). 2020-03-27. Archived from the original on 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  46. "NCT 127, 방탄소년단 꺾고 '뮤직뱅크 1위'...'영웅'의 귀환". 연예뉴스 스타인뉴스 (in Korean). 2020-03-27. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  47. "NCT 127, 오늘 '뮤직뱅크' 출격...신곡 '펀치' 첫 컴백 무대". 100세시대의 동반자 브릿지경제 (in Korean). 2020-05-22. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  48. "NCT 127, 가온차트 3관왕...신곡 'Punch' 인기 질주". 스타투데이 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  49. "NCT127 '엠카' 불참했지만..투모로우바이투게더 제치고 1위". Newsen. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  50. Guerra, Joey (March 6, 2020). "NCT 127 is ready to bring K-pop to the RodeoHouston stage". Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Archived from the original on 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  51. "NCT 127 Becomes First K-Pop Group to Perform at Houston Rodeo". Billboard. 2020-03-11. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  52. Benjamin, Jeff. "NCT 127 Upgrades To A Full U.S. Arena Tour For 'Neo City – The Awards' This Summer". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  53. "NCT 127 Tour Dates Include Madison Square Garden Opener". Billboard. 2020-02-25. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  54. "Concerts Canceled Due To Coronavirus: Ongoing List". Billboard. 2020-05-15. Archived from the original on 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  55. Herman, Tamar. "'Beyond Live' K-Pop Concert Streaming Service Launches With SuperM, WayV, NCT Dream And NCT 127". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  56. "NCT 127's 'Punch' Video: Watch". Billboard. 2020-05-19. Archived from the original on 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  57. Aderinkomi, Deb. "NCT 127 – NCT #127 Neo Zone". Clash. Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  58. Im, Sun-hwi. "NCT 127 – NCT #127 Neo Zone". IZM. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  59. "Neo Music Communication IZM". www.izm.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  60. "NCT 127 – NCT #127 Neo Zone". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-03-28. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  61. Herman, Tamar (December 15, 2020). "The top 15 K-pop albums of 2020: BTS, Twice, NCT 127, Monsta X, Super M, Gfriend and many more". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  62. de Luna, Elizabeth (December 29, 2020). "The Best K-Pop B-Sides of 2020". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  63. "Gaon Album Chart – Week 10, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  64. "Gaon Weekly Album Chart – Week 12, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  65. "Gaon Weekly Digital Chart – Week 13, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  66. "Gaon Monthly Album Chart – March, 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2016-06-12. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  67. "Gaon Monthly Album Chart – April 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). May 7, 2020. Archived from the original on 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  68. "조정석-임영웅, 4월 가온차트 2관왕...갓세븐 앨범차트 1위". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-10-18. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  69. "NCT 127 정규 2집 121만장 밀리언셀러 등극[공식]". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  70. Caulfield, Keith (March 15, 2020). "Lil Uzi Vert's 'Eternal Atake' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Streaming Week Since 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  71. "Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  72. "Nielsen Music & MRC Data's 2020 Midyear Charts Recap". www.billboard.com. 2020-07-09. Archived from the original on 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  73. "World Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  74. "On The Charts: March 15, 2020". FYIMusicNews. 2020-03-15. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  75. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  76. "2020年03月09日～2020年03月15日 オリコン週間 アルバムランキング". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  77. "2020年05月25日～2020年05月31日 オリコン週間 アルバムランキング". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  78. "NCT #127 Neo Zone — The 2nd Album". Vibe. March 6, 2020. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  79. "NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round — The 2nd Album". Vibe. May 19, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  80. "Ultratop.be – NCT 127 – NCT No. 127 Neo Zone – The 2nd Album" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  81. "Ultratop.be – NCT 127 – NCT No. 127 Neo Zone – The 2nd Album" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  82. "NCT 127 Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  83. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – Hivatalos magyar slágerlisták (Neo Zone)". slagerlistak.hu. Archived from the original on 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  84. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – Hivatalos magyar slágerlisták (The Final Round)". slagerlistak.hu. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  85. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums 2020/3/16". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  86. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | June 1st, 2020". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). 2020-06-01. Archived from the original on 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  87. "ALBUMŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. March 13, 2020. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  88. "Oficjalna lista sprzedazy :: OLIS – Official Retail Sales Chart". olis.onyx.pl. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  89. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  90. "Gaon Album Chart – Week 10, 2020 (Neo Zone)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  91. "Gaon Album Chart – Week 21, 2020 (The Final Round)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  92. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  93. "Billboard 200, date March 21, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  94. "Top Album Sales Chart, date March 21, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  95. "Independent Albums Chart, date March 21, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  96. "Tastemaker Albums Chart, date March 21, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  97. "World Albums Chart, date March 21, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  98. "2020年03月度 オリコン月間 アルバムランキング 11～20位". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  99. "2020年05月度 オリコン月間 アルバムランキング 11～20位". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  100. "Gaon Monthly Album Chart – May 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  101. "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – helyezés alapján – 2020" [Aggregate album and compilation list – by ranking – 2020] (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  102. "年間 アルバムランキング 2020年度". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  103. "Gaon Yearly Album Chart – 2020". gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  104. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  105. "Independent Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  106. "South Korean album certifications – NCT 127 – NCT #127 Neo Zone – The 2nd Album" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).
  107. "South Korean album certifications – NCT 127 – NCT #127 Neo Zone The Final Round – The 2nd Album Repackage" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).
  108. "NCT 127, '엠카운트다운' 1위 등극...트와이스 컴백". newsis (in Korean). 2020-06-04. Archived from the original on 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  109. "'뮤뱅' NCT 127, 1위카운터 날린 'Punch'...몬스타엑스 컴백·김우석 솔로 데뷔 [종합]". news.chosun.com (in Korean). 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  110. "[종합] '음악중심' NCT 127, 1위 영광...미나 선물같은 시간들 MC 하차 소감". mydaily.co.kr. 2020-05-30. Archived from the original on 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  111. Citations regarding the release of "Neo Zone" by NCT 127 on streaming services in various countries:
  113. 엔시티 127 (NCT 127) 정규 2집 – NCT #127 Neo Zone [N/C ver. 중 랜덤 발송] – YES24 [NCT 127 2nd Full Album – NCT #127 Neo Zone [N/C ver. Medium random shipment]]. Yes 24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  114. 엔시티 127 (NCT 127) 정규 2집 – NCT #127 Neo Zone [T ver.] – YES24 [NCT 127 2nd Full Album – NCT #127 Neo Zone [T ver.]]. Yes 24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  115. "NCT 127 – The 2nd Album 'NCT #127 Neo Zone' (T Ver.) (Deluxe) (CD)". Target. Target Brands. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  116. Citations regarding the release of "Neo Zone" by NCT 127 on streaming services in various countries:
  117. 엔시티 127 (NCT 127) 정규 2집 리패키지 – NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round [커버 2종 중 랜덤 1종 발송] – YES24 [NCT 127 (NCT 127) 2nd Album Repackage – NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round [Random 1 out of 2 covers]]. Yes 24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  119. 엔시티 127 (NCT 127) 정규 2집 리패키지 – NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round [스마트 뮤직 앨범(키트 앨범)] [커버 2종 중 랜덤 발송] – YES24 [NCT 127 (NCT 127) 2nd Regular Repackage – NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round [Smart Music Album (Kit Album)] [Random out of 2 covers]]. Yes 24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.