NCT Changes & the "7-Member Curse" Explained!
- Jon Lui
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
NCT is undergoing sudden and major changes with members Mark Lee and Ten leaving SM Entertainment and Taeil's removal in 2024, leaving fans wondering: "What will happen next?" We break down the group's new dynamics and explain whether the "7-Member Curse " is real!
What’s Happening With NCT Now?
Lineup shifts:
With Mark and Ten leaving SM Entertainment, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group with Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan.
NCT Dream will move forward as a six-member group with Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.
SM Entertainment has moved forward with NCT's "10th Anniversary— NCT 2026" project, featuring a new logo and roadmap for 2026.
The change is "normal" for NCT, since it uses subunits for various projects, but with members leaving, it still has more of an emotional impact on NCTzen (the official fandom of NCT).
What Is The "7-Member Curse"?
The "7-member curse" is often attributed to K-pop groups that debuted with seven members, but eventually experienced a member departure, often becoming a six-member group. Notable examples of this are NMIXX, Weeekly, PURPLE KISS, and MONSTA X. NMIXX originally debuted with seven members until Jinni's departure in 2022. Weeekly also debuted with seven members until the departure of Jiyoon in 2022. PURPLE KISS also had Jieun leave in 2022 to become a six-member group. MONSTA X debuted with seven members but was left with six members after Wonho's departure.
Is The "7-Member Curse" Real?
Although it seems more of a coincidence, many groups often go through lineup changes (not just groups with 7-members). The Dojeon team believes that fans often "over dramatize" these cases, which causes these stories to "blow up" more than they actually are portrayed. Many other factors cause these lineup changes, including military service, contract terminations, and personal career shifts (going solo).
What's Next For NCT?
NCT is unlikely to disband in the near future and will continue to push forward with its flexibility and its subgroups, such as NCT JNJM (Jeno and Jaemin). This is why we think that NCT, as a group, is likely to keep evolving rather than "fall apart".
Final Thoughts
Becoming a K-pop idol is hard enough. Fans become emotionally attached to their biases and feel that if one member leaves, the whole group's image may completely change. Although this is rarely the case, we feel it depends on which member leaves may have a bigger impact on the group's image and direction. So what do you think about the "7-member curse"? Do you think it is real or just a pure coincidence? Let us know in the comments below!
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