NCT 127 Opens Up About the Challenge of Making New Album ‘WALK’ While Short on Bandmates

The members of NCT 127 aren’t letting a few challenges walk all over them. In spite of being unable to perform as a full unit over the past year, the K-pop band was able to push through and deliver its sixth studio album, WALK, last month — something seven of the guys opened up about in a new on-camera interview with Billboard.

Sitting down with Tetris Kelly, 25-year-old MARK revealed that the process of making the 11-track LP — which debuted at No. 117 on the Billboard 200 — was different “from the start.” “We were in a different mindset, for obvious reasons,” he explained. “We’re not all together with nine members. From that point on, picking out the songs for the entire tracklist, we were very prudent with each and every decision.”

“We didn’t want to weaken our performance,” he added. “So we were very serious with each and every step of the album.”

The interview comes almost exactly a year after 30-year-old TAEIL sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident that required him to have surgery and take a hiatus in order to focus on his rehabilitation. In October, SM Entertainment released an update saying that the performer still needed “sufficient treatment and stability” after the procedure, confirming he would not be able to participate in NCT 127’s Neo City – The Unity Tour that kicked off in November.

In April, 29-year-old TAEYONG enlisted in the South Korean navy to fulfill his mandatory service.

While speaking with Billboard, the guys also revealed their favorite songs on their new album, as well as their current favorite music at the moment. YUTA revealed he’s in a Linkin Park phase and MARK praised “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, while HAECHAN shouted out his bandmate’s solo work: “I listen to this new solo artist who just debuted named DOYOUNG,” he said as his friend blushed.

“We still have a lot of plans for you guys, so stay tuned,” MARK teased at the end.

Watch NCT 127’s interview with Billboard above.