K-Song Review: Hot Sauce by NCT Dream

Ayushi Saxena, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Hot sauce 깊이 dip that eh

날 따라 넌 twist that eh

Hot sauce 타오를 때 ooh

입맛대로 골라 ma dish

Ever since the song is released, I can not get these lyrics out of my head. Whenever I hear it, I sense a rush of energy inside of me. I hope you click on that identical sentiment as mine. Hop in to know further about this masterpiece released by NCT DREAM!

NCT DREAM is the third sub-unit of South Korean boy band NCT formed by SM Entertainment in 2016 as the teen-aged group of NCT but re-branded in 2021 since SM Entertainment opted to conclude the age-based admission-graduation system in 2020. NCT DREAM consists of Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.

On May 10 2021, the first studio album Hot Sauce was released by NCT DREAM featuring the initial seven members of the unit. The album consists of ten tracks containing the title track of the same name. The album falls into the K-pop, Hip-hop and R&B genres.

At a recent press conference, 21-year-old Jeno portrayed their much-awaited ‘Hot Sauce’ comeback as “picking up where we left our bookmark last time.” However, this isn’t precisely a case of carrying on where they left off, but of exhibiting how broadly they’ve grown in the two years since they last promoted together.

“Hot Sauce” the title track is portrayed as a hip-hop song positioned over an afrobeat. The distinctiveness of the unique intonation in the chorus helps the minimalist track to stand out. The track is 3:15 minutes long. The song features the vocals of all the NCT DREAM members and is produced by Lee Soo-man.

Kim Sung-yeop of IZM remarked on the composition as “it expresses the passionate energy and playful charm of NCT Dream solely”, adding that it doesn’t equate to any of the group’s existing styles and has a clear presence as the first song to mark a new beginning. Rhian Daly of NME described the track as “vibrant and exuberant.”

Hot Sauce debuted at number one on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart presenting the group their first number-one song on the chart. The song entered the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 at number 39 and peaked at 18. In the United States, Hot Sauce debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales. The single debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Global 200 making it the first song in three languages to enter the chart. The song triumphed at Show Champion, M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.

The music video for Hot Sauce is set in a taquería where the group are tasting their special hot sauce and begins pouring the spicy dressing all over their food. The MV has been portrayed as vibrant and whimsical.

Why You Should Listen to This Song?

This is my first moment listening to an NCT song so it’s fair enough to state that Hot Sauce will label my starting point in the fandom journey. I adored the song when it was released though it took some time for me to adapt to it. The most intriguing thing about Hot Sauce is its instrumental. Its percussive backbone draws from the fundamentals of afrobeat — a welcome deviation from numerous of K-pop’s chic to roots. The instrumental becomes specifically compelling when the guitar joins the fray, giving Hot Sauce a light, cadenced touch that feels flawlessly befitted to summer. Based on what I witnessed in the MV, the choreography looks intense and strong which fits the song. The hook step truly got all the NCTzens hooked. I enjoyed the “mixing bowl” step; it’s cool. I take this title track as an energetic dance song and whenever I catch on to it, I start dancing. The rush of energy the verses induce is another level. If you haven’t heard the song please go and listen to it. I’m certain you’ll like it.