02. NCT U BOSS Music Video Review

This bitch thought she was prepared for NCT U's comeback. This bitch was not.

SM released the music video for NCT U’s new single BOSS, and every single man in those three minutes and thirty four seconds of a masterpiece snatched every single one of my hair follicles right from my scalp.

If you have stumbled across this blog post, and are concerned for my wellbeing and are generally confused, let me give you the run down.

NCT U debuted two new members from the grasp of SM’s talent dungeon*  into this units comeback— Jungwoo and Lucas— alongside adding a previously debuted member from NCT 127, WinWin, into the group. Sadly this comeback only included four of the original members, Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun and Mark (completely ignoring that Ten has been hidden away since his solo SM Station song A Dream in a Dream, and also that Taeil is a completely underrated vocalist. BUT that’s none of my business).

NCT U’s debut with The 7th Sense was a  musical and visual masterpiece, and single handedly saved Kpop, however the long awaited release of BOSS? Hmmm.

The actual song itself was quite disappointing for me, and although I will definitely listen to it and support NCT U with this comeback, it isn’t 100% my cup of tea.

The vocals are God sent (thankyou Doyoung) and the raps are decent, however the chorus just didn’t sell it for me. One it’s very repetitive, which could could be looked over if they weren’t literally just YELLING the words rather singing. NCT, please stop shouting at me that you’re my boss, I already know that. Y’all own my ass and my wallet.

The other reason this comeback disappointed? One word. WinWin.

What was the point of debuting WinWin into NCT U if he has one line and gets 3 seconds of screen time? His only purpose was to provide some backing yells on the chorus (I won’t say vocals because that’s not singing) and to look spicy in the shots he was in. I literally forgot he was even in the video until the end where he actually gets some individual close up shots.

As always, SM are prioritising their favourites and giving them lines that other members could have. 

Putting that aside, the concept, visuals and choreography salvaged it for me.

Concept wise, I am always down for a handsome man dressed in a military style, well fitting suit, looking expensive and like a whole ass snack.

Maintaining NCT U's grittier concept and using urban settings again is also something I can get behind for music video locations, as it includes part of what really made me love NCT U in the first place.

Considering choreography, it’s no surprise that this is one of the main appeals of Kpop music videos to me. Not only because I used to dance myself, and therefore appreciate the hard work and skill that goes into it, but also just because it’s so entertaining and enchanting to watch someone else manipulate their body movements to create art.

NCT always have amazing choreography that blows me away. They just know how to move in ways that get me excited, and that’s the only way I can put it. BOSS definitely didn’t disappoint me with it’s charismatic and energetic choreography.

To conclude, even though BOSS was slightly disappointing for me, it's still a visually impressive music video accompanied by a song I can bop to, I still love my boys, and Doyoung can still hit me up whenever he pleases. 

 NCT BOSS Music Video

* SM's Talent Dungeon: this is where they lock up the members while they are training for years on end. It's almost impossible to escape. I fear for those who are there now. RIP those trapped in the dungeon.


Paige Nicole