NCT Universe : LASTART (엔시티 유니버스: 라스트아트) was a 2023 reality survival show created by SM Entertainment. It premiered on July 27, 2023 and was broadcasted every Thursday at 1:30am KST on ENA, 0:59am KST on NTV and at 1am KST on TVING, Hula and KOCOWA+. It followed the process of creating the new NCT sub-unit, tentatively named NCT NEW TEAM. Episodes 9 and 10 are special episodes which are exclusive to Japan.
Background[]
On June 28, SM Entertainment announced that two new members, Sion and Yushi, would be part of NCT's newest team.[1]
On June 30, SM Entertainment revealed that a pre-debut reality show titled NCT Universe : LASTART will be airing on July 27 and will show the group formation process of the final NCT unit.[2] The first teaser was released on July 5.[3]
Artist directors[]
Special Artist directors[]
- Key (episodes 1 & 2)
- Ryeowook (episodes 3 & 4)
- Jang Jin Young (episodes 3, 4, 5 & 6)
- Hyoyeon (episodes 4 & 5)
- Kangta (episodse 6 & 7)
- Leeteuk (episode 6 & 7)
- Johnny (episode 6 & 7)
- Haechan (episode 6 & 7)
Guests[]
- Taemin (episode 3)
- Donghae (episode 3)
- Xiumin (episode 5)
- Max Changmin (episode 5)
- Ten (episode 6)
- Taeyong (episode 7)
Contestants[]
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debuting members | ||
| Sion (시온) | 21 | Member of SMROOKIES. |
| Yushi (유우시) | 19 | Member of SMROOKIES. Former member of EDAMAME BEANS. |
| Trainees | ||
| Ryo (료; リョウ) | 15 | N/A |
| Riku (리쿠; リク) | 20 | Cousin of ex-Morning Musume member Takahashi Ai. |
| Haruta (하루타; ハルタ) | 17 | N/A |
| Kassho (캇쇼; カッショウ) | 17 | N/A |
| Anderson (앤더슨; アンダーソン) | 17 | N/A |
| Jungmin (정민; チョンミン) | 19 | N/A |
| Ryu (류; リュウ) | 19 | Younger brother of television personality Loveli and EXILE TRIBE member Shirahama Alan. |
| Minjae (민재; ミンジェ) | 21 | N/A |
| Heitetsu (헤이테츠; ヘイテツ) | 21 | Oldest contestant |
| Sakuya (사쿠야; サクヤ) | 15 | Youngest contestant |
| Daeyoung (대영; デヨン) | 18 | Introduced in episode 4. |
Missions[]
First mission[]
In the first mission, 6 units comprised of 2 trainees performed in front of the artist directors for evaluation. Performances consisted of vocal, dance or a mix of both. Sion and Yushi were not evaluated for the rankings as they are already fixed members for debut.
| Song | Contestants |
|---|---|
| "Afrolex" | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| "Believer" by Imagine Dragons | Haruta |
| Anderson | |
| "Running On The Sky" by Lee Juk | Jungmin |
| Minjae | |
| "Shawty Fishin' (Blame the Net)" by Masego | Heitetsu |
| Kassho | |
| "Fire" by Shimizu Shota | Riku |
| Ryu | |
| "Chewing Gum" by NCT DREAM | Ryo |
| Sakuya |
Second mission[]
In the second mission, two hit songs by SM artists were chosen to be performed. These songs were revealed to be "Lucifer" by SHINee and "U" by Super Junior. The 10 trainees were divided into 2 teams of 5 by the New IP TF Team based on their compatibility. Both teams performed these songs with Sion and Yushi.
| Song | Contestants |
|---|---|
| "Lucifer" by SHINee | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Ryo | |
| Heitetsu | |
| Jungmin | |
| Anderson | |
| Kassho | |
| "U" by SUPER JUNIOR | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Haruta | |
| Ryu | |
| Riku | |
| Minjae | |
| Sakuya |
Third mission[]
In the third mission, two japanese hit songs by SM artists were chosen to be performed. These songs were revealed to be "Electric Kiss" by Exo and "Why? (Keep Your Head Down)" by TVXQ!. Daeyoung was added to the show during this mission because both the Artist Directors and New IP TF Team felt that the group was lacking vocalists. The 11 trainees were divided into 2 teams with 5 and 6 trainees by the New IP TF Team based on their compatibility. Both teams performed these songs with Sion and Yushi. Daeyoung also did a solo performance of "Wild Flower" by Park Hyo Shin.
| Song | Contestants |
|---|---|
| "Electric Kiss" by EXO | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Jungmin | |
| Ryu | |
| Anderson | |
| Kassho | |
| Ryo | |
| Sakuya | |
| "Why? (Keep Your Head Down)" by TVXQ! | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Riku | |
| Haruta | |
| Heitetsu | |
| Minjae | |
| Daeyoung |
Fourth mission[]
In the fourth and final mission dubbed the "NCT Mission", the songs "90's Love" and "Boss" by NCT U were chosen to be performed. The 11 trainees were divided into 2 teams with 5 and 6 trainees by the New IP TF Team based on their compatibility. Both teams performed these songs with Sion and Yushi. This mission will select the final line-up for the new NCT unit. Originally the new NCT unit was announced as having 6 members but after an emergency meeting the group was expanded to have 7 members.
| Song | Contestants |
|---|---|
| "90's Love" by NCT U | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Minjae | |
| Daeyoung | |
| Anderson | |
| Kassho | |
| Ryo | |
| Sakuya | |
| "Boss" by NCT U | Sion |
| Yushi | |
| Heitetsu | |
| Riku | |
| Ryu | |
| Haruta | |
| Jungmin |
Rankings[]
Note: Daeyoung was not added to the show until the third mission.
| Name | Rankings by mission | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||
| Riku | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Sakuya | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
| Daeyoung | - | - | 4 | 3 | |
| Jungmin | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Ryo | 4 | 6 (Tied) | 7 | 5 | |
| Anderson | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | |
| Ryu | 8 | 6 (Tied) | 6 | 7 | |
| Minjae | 6 (Tied) | 4 | 10 | 8 | |
| Haruta | 6 (Tied) | 9 | 8 | 9 | |
| Kassho | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Heitetsu | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | |
Aftermath[]
- NCT WISH debuted on February 21, 2024.
Other contestants
- Ryu (7th) opened a personal instagram account and confirmed that he had left SM Entertainment.
- Minjae (8th) was revealed as a trainee under YM Entertainment under the name Seoeon.[5]
References[]
- ↑ Soompi: Watch: SM Entertainment Introduces 2 SM Rookies To Join NCT’s New Team
- ↑ Soompi: NCT Announces Reality Show “NCT Universe : LASTART” For Formation Of New Team
- ↑ Soompi: Watch: SM’s New Survival Show “NCT Universe : LASTART” Unveils 1st Teaser
- ↑ Soompi: NCT NEW TEAM Announces Jungmin's Departure From Group
- ↑ @yment__official on Twitter (February 1, 2024)