Three weeks before their comeback on 9 November 2026, NCT DREAM unveiled the music video for The Sun, a side track from their upcoming 6th studio album, Dream After Dream. It is NCT DREAM’s first song in over a year (their last being BTTF and CHILLER from their Go Back To The Future album, which I have not reviewed yet). It is also the first release since the group renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment (except for MARK, who opted not to renew his contract, leading to his official departure from NCT and SM Entertainment).

While The Sun does venture down the balladry route, I liked that it wasn’t your typical ballad. It begins with a very minimalistic, slightly atmospheric instrumental that serves as The Sun‘s foundation. As the song progresses, we are gifted with grand, dramatic flourishes in the instrumentation, soft backing vocals, light synth choices, and stunning harmonies that lift The Sun and make it more engaging. The melodies are extremely pleasant and heavenly at the right times. Just after the 3:00 mark, The Sun‘s backing becomes squirrely as it presses hard on the grand, epic flourishes to accompany CHENLE’s “Today” vocalisations. After that, they maintain the tension with a heavier beat and concentrated instrumental to round out The Sun. Vocally, NCT DREAM performed really well throughout the song, with each member having plenty of chances to stand out individually and as a group. Put together, The Sun is a breezy, refreshing ballad that serves as a neat reintroduction to the group and their next chapter.

The music video shows the members going on a road trip to the coast to watch a beautiful sunset. There is a hiccup along the way, which sees them getting lost and disagreeing about which way to go. But with their bond as a group, they quickly resume their trip and keep having fun together. Overall, the video was a nice accompaniment to the song, with the visuals and setting fitting the song’s breezy nature.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10