When NCT DREAM debuted in 2016, they were cute teenage boys singing about chewing gum. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and they’re riding hoverboards different through timelines. Their new single BTTF (Back To The Future) isn’t a trip down memory lane. It’s a statement of purpose.
There are callbacks to their debut single Chewing Gum and their ISTJ era. But BTTF is a song that asks: What does it mean to grow up without losing yourself? And how do you move forward while still honoring where you came from?
Owning the past, rewriting the future
BTTF is a hip-hop dance track with a dynamic, futuristic sound. The song is about revisiting the past, reflecting on your past self and contemplating on how you’ve changed. The song emphasizes learning from the past without regret and using those experiences to propel oneself into a brighter future.
Revisiting 2016
The music video shows the members revisiting their Chewing Gum selves, complete with familiar hairstyles and pastel outfits. This time, they’re the ones in control. They navigate through time, meet their younger versions, and reflect on how far they’ve come. It’s cheeky and heartwarming at the same time.
But nostalgia isn’t the end goal. They’re not clinging to the past. It’s about reclaiming it on their own terms.
At its core, “BTTF” is a love letter to the journey of growing up. It’s messy, awkward and meaningful. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to abandon who you were to evolve. You just need to take the lessons with you.
Tell Us About The Album
BTTF is a pre-release single from NCT DREAM’s fifth album Go Back To The Future. The album explores the past, present and the speculative absolute present (far future). The album expands on BTTF’s theme of owning your past, living in the present and claiming your future on your terms.
Go Back To The Future will be released on July 14th at 6PM KST.
