They stayed. ALL of them stayed. On August 20, SM Entertainment officially announced that every member of NCT Dream has committed to a new contract. After months of fan anxiety, sleepless nights, and worst-case-scenario threads flooding social media — NCT Dream has officially renewed as a complete group with SM Entertainment.
In a year that saw Mark and Ten depart NCT, NCT 127 renew in July, and fan fears reach an all-time high — NCT Dream choosing to stay together is the relief that NCTzens desperately needed. The dream isn’t over. It’s just beginning its next chapter. 💚
Table of Contents
NCT : The Official Announcement
2 On August 20, SM Entertainment officially announced that every member has committed to a new contract. 2 The agency shared that, following Haechan’s earlier renewal, the remaining members (Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung) have now also completed their renewals.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Group | NCT Dream |
| Announcement Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Agency | SM Entertainment |
| All Members Renewed? | ✅ Yes — every single member |
| Previously Renewed | Haechan (through NCT 127 renewal in July) |
| Newly Confirmed | Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung |
| Group Status | Continuing as a complete unit |
Every NCT Dream Member — Confirmed Staying
| Member | Position | Renewal Status | When Renewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark | Leader, Main Rapper | ❌ Left NCT + SM (April 3, 2026) | N/A — departed |
| Renjun | Main Vocalist | ✅ Renewed | August 2026 |
| Jeno | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper | ✅ Renewed | August 2026 |
| Haechan | Main Vocalist | ✅ Renewed | July 2026 (via NCT 127 renewal) |
| Jaemin | Lead Dancer, Lead Vocalist | ✅ Renewed | August 2026 |
| Chenle | Main Vocalist | ✅ Renewed | August 2026 |
| Jisung | Main Dancer, Maknae | ✅ Renewed | August 2026 |
All six active NCT Dream members have renewed. While Mark departed NCT and SM Entertainment in April 2026, the remaining members have confirmed their commitment to continuing NCT Dream’s journey together.
Why This Renewal Was So Nerve-Wracking for Fans
NCTzens had every reason to be terrified. The months leading up to this announcement were some of the most stressful in NCT fan history:
The Timeline of Anxiety
| Date | Event | Fan Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | 3SM Entertainment confirmed that Mark would be departing both NCT and the company | Shock — one of NCT’s most prominent members leaving |
| April 6, 2026 | 3SM Entertainment announced that TEN’s exclusive contract would conclude on April 8, confirming his departure from the agency | Two departures in one week — panic intensified |
| April–June 2026 | Contract renewal dates for remaining members leaked/speculated online | 3One fan remarked, “So basically by the summer we could potentially have no NCT Dream” |
| July 15, 2026 | 5All NCT 127 members have renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment, based on their trust in both the team and the company | Relief for 127 fans — but Dream still uncertain |
| August 20, 2026 | NCT Dream — ALL members renew | 💚 RELIEF — the dream survives |
The fear was real. After Mark’s departure in April and Ten’s exit days later, 3many fans expressed apprehension, with some noting that the recent exits could signal further departures in the near future.
SM Entertainment’s Official Statement — What They Said
2 The company cited the members’ deep trust in one another and their lasting affection for the group as key reasons for the decision. 2 In its statement, SM Entertainment emphasized that the group and the agency will continue working together based on this strong bond. 2 The company expressed appreciation for the members’ journey so far, noting that NCT Dream debuted on August 25, 2016, and has spent the past decade delivering energetic performances and positive messages to fans around the world. 2 Looking forward, SM Entertainment encouraged fans to anticipate a wide range of activities from NCT Dream in the second half of the year. 2 The agency closed its statement by inviting fans to continue cheering for the group as they move ahead with new projects together.
| Statement Highlight | Key Quote |
|---|---|
| Reason for renewal | “Deep trust in one another and lasting affection for the group” |
| Future promise | “Wide range of activities in the second half of the year” |
| 10-year milestone | Debuted August 25, 2016 — celebrating a decade |
| Group continuity | “Continue working together based on this strong bond” |
NCT Dream’s Journey — From Rotational Concept to Permanent Group
NCT Dream’s path to this renewal was anything but straightforward. When NCT Dream debuted in 2016, they were initially designed as a rotational unit — members would “graduate” out of the group when they turned 20, replaced by younger trainees. This concept was met with fierce fan backlash, and SM eventually reversed the decision in 2020, making NCT Dream a permanent fixed unit.
| Year | NCT Dream Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Debuted on August 25 with “Chewing Gum” — 7 members |
| 2017 | “My First and Last,” “We Young” — establishing identity |
| 2018 | Mark “graduated” per rotational concept — fan backlash erupted |
| 2019 | “BOOM” — became fan favorite era |
| 2020 | SM announces Dream becomes permanent unit — Mark returns |
| 2021 | Hot Sauce — first full-length album — 2M+ sales |
| 2022 | Glitch Mode, Beatbox — million-seller streak |
| 2023 | ISTJ — continued commercial dominance |
| 2024 | DREAM( )SCAPE — 3M+ first-week sales |
| 2025 | Continued promotions + individual activities |
| 2026 | All members renew contracts — group secured |
The NCT 127 Renewal — How It Set the Stage
NCT Dream’s renewal follows the NCT 127 renewal in July 2026. 5NCT 127 members Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Haechan, and Jungwoo will continue their partnership with SM Entertainment.
Since Haechan is a member of BOTH NCT 127 and NCT Dream, his July renewal with 127 effectively pre-confirmed his Dream membership too. The remaining five Dream members (Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung) completed their renewals in August.
| NCT Unit | Renewal Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NCT 127 | July 15, 2026 | ✅ All members renewed |
| NCT Dream | August 20, 2026 | ✅ All members renewed |
| WayV | TBA | Ongoing — Ten departed April 2026 |
Who Left NCT in 2026 — The Full Picture
While NCT Dream’s renewal is cause for celebration, 2026 has been a year of significant change for the broader NCT universe:
| Member | Unit(s) | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark | NCT Dream, NCT 127, SuperM | ❌ Departed NCT + SM entirely | April 3, 2026 |
| Ten | WayV, NCT U, SuperM | ❌ Left SM — remains in NCT/WayV for group activities | April 8, 2026 |
| All NCT 127 members | NCT 127 | ✅ Renewed | July 15, 2026 |
| All NCT Dream members | NCT Dream | ✅ Renewed | August 20, 2026 |
Mark’s departure from NCT Dream was particularly painful for fans, as he was the group’s leader and had been with them since debut (minus the brief graduation period). His absence makes the remaining six members’ decision to stay even more significant — they chose to continue the dream without their leader rather than letting it end.
What This Means for NCT Dream’s Future
2 This full-group contract renewal confirms NCT Dream’s commitment to both their agency and to each other, setting the stage for more music and performances in the coming months.
What to Expect Next
| Upcoming Activity | Likelihood | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| New full album (late 2026) | 🟢 Very High | Fans report album for end of 2026 |
| 10th anniversary celebrations | 🟢 Confirmed | Debut anniversary — August 25, 2026 |
| World tour | 🟡 High | Standard post-renewal group activity |
| Individual solo projects | 🟢 Very High | Members pursuing solo alongside group |
| New sub-unit configurations | 🟡 Possible | SM may explore new Dream unit combinations |
| Japanese activities | 🟢 High | Dream has a strong Japanese fanbase |
The renewal timing — just five days before NCT Dream’s 10th debut anniversary on August 25 — feels deliberate. SM is positioning this as both a renewal and a celebration of a decade together.
NCT Dream — Group Profile
NCT Dream (Korean: 엔시티 드림) is a sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT, formed by SM Entertainment in 2016.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Group | NCT Dream (엔시티 드림) |
| Parent Group | NCT |
| Agency | SM Entertainment |
| Debut | August 25, 2016 |
| Debut Song | “Chewing Gum” |
| Fandom | NCTzen (shared with NCT) |
| Original Concept | Rotational (changed to permanent in 2020) |
| Current Members | 6 (Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung) |
| Former Member | Mark (departed April 2026) |
The Members
| Member | Birthday | Nationality | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renjun | March 23, 2000 | Chinese | Main Vocalist |
| Jeno | April 23, 2000 | Korean | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper |
| Haechan | June 6, 2000 | Korean | Main Vocalist (also in NCT 127) |
| Jaemin | August 13, 2000 | Korean | Lead Dancer, Lead Vocalist |
| Chenle | November 22, 2001 | Chinese | Main Vocalist |
| Jisung | February 5, 2002 | Korean | Main Dancer, Maknae |
NCT Dream’s Commercial Power — Why SM Wanted to Keep Them
NCT Dream has become one of SM Entertainment’s most commercially valuable assets:
| Album | Year | First-Week Sales | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Sauce | 2021 | 2,100,000+ | First million-seller — broke NCT sales records |
| Glitch Mode | 2022 | 2,100,000+ | Consecutive million-seller |
| ISTJ | 2023 | 3,340,000+ | Triple million-seller |
| DREAM( )SCAPE | 2024 | 3,000,000+ | Continued dominance |
| Next Album | Late 2026 | TBA | First post-renewal release |
NCT Dream has consistently been one of the top 5 best-selling K-pop boy groups globally. Their first-week sales trajectory — from 2M to 3.3M+ — shows accelerating commercial power that SM Entertainment simply could not afford to lose.
The Haechan Factor — The Bridge Between 127 and Dream
Haechan’s unique position as a member of BOTH NCT 127 and NCT Dream made him the bellwether for both renewals. When he renewed with NCT 127 in July, it effectively signaled that Dream’s renewal was likely — but nothing was guaranteed until the official August 20 announcement.
| Haechan’s Dual Membership | Detail |
|---|---|
| NCT 127 Status | ✅ Renewed July 2026 |
| NCT Dream Status | ✅ Renewed August 2026 |
| Significance | Only active member in both fixed NCT units |
| Impact | His renewal anchored both groups’ continuity |
The “7-Year Curse” — NCT Dream Breaks It
In K-pop, the “7-year curse” refers to the tendency of groups to disband or lose members when their initial 7-year contracts expire. NCT Dream — with their 10-year anniversary approaching — has definitively broken this curse.
| Group | 7-Year Curse Status | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2NE1 | ❌ Disbanded at 7 years | 2016 disbandment |
| f(x) | ❌ Effectively inactive | No renewal |
| GOT7 | ❌ Left JYP at 7 years | Independent but reunite for releases |
| MAMAMOO | ✅ Renewed individually | Different agencies, group continues |
| BTS | ✅ All renewed with HYBE | Group continues post-military |
| SEVENTEEN | ✅ All 13 renewed with PLEDIS | Full group continuation |
| NCT Dream | ✅ All renewed with SM | Group continues into 2nd decade |
Fan Reactions — NCTzens Can Finally Exhale
After months of anxiety, the fan community’s response was a tidal wave of relief and joy:
| Fan Reaction | Common Sentiments |
|---|---|
| “I’ve never cried happy tears this hard since Hot Sauce” | Pure emotional release |
| “After Mark leaving, I was TERRIFIED — but they stayed” | Relief after months of fear |
| “6Dream forever. The dream doesn’t end here” | Acceptance + forward-looking optimism |
| “SM really almost gave us a heart attack this year” | Acknowledgment of the stressful timeline |
| “10 years together and they chose to stay. That’s real loyalty” | Appreciation for the members’ bond |
The contrast between April’s despair (Mark and Ten departing) and August’s joy (both NCT 127 and NCT Dream fully renewed) represents one of the most dramatic emotional arcs in K-pop fandom history.
Looking Ahead — NCT Dream’s Next Chapter
2 Looking forward, SM Entertainment encouraged fans to anticipate a wide range of activities from NCT Dream in the second half of the year.
| What’s Next | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| 10th Anniversary | August 25, 2026 — special content expected |
| New Full Album | Late 2026 (reported) |
| Concert tour | Post-album — likely early 2027 |
| Individual activities | Members pursuing solo projects concurrently |
| NCT joint activities | Potential NCT U configurations |
The renewal isn’t just about maintaining the status quo — it’s about NCT Dream entering their second decade with renewed purpose, a tighter bond, and the freedom to pursue both group and individual ambitions under SM’s umbrella.
For a complete overview of NCT Dream’s career, discography, and achievements, visit the official NCT Dream Wikipedia page.
The Bigger Picture — SM Entertainment’s 2026 Renewal Sweep
SM Entertainment has had a remarkably successful 2026 when it comes to retaining its biggest acts:
| SM Group | 2026 Renewal Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Red Velvet | ✅ All 5 members continuing (Wendy/Yeri from new agencies) | Ongoing |
| NCT 127 | ✅ All members renewed | July 2026 |
| NCT Dream | ✅ All members renewed | August 2026 |
| aespa | ✅ Active — LEMONADE era + world tour | Active |
The only significant losses for SM in 2026 were Mark and Ten from NCT — painful departures, but ones that the agency has successfully navigated by securing every other key member across both NCT 127 and NCT Dream.
The Bottom Line
2 Fans of NCT Dream are celebrating after all members of the group renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment, ensuring the team will continue their journey together under the same agency.
After the gut-wrenching departures of Mark and Ten earlier this year, after months of leaked contract dates and worst-case-scenario fan threads, after watching NCT 127 renew first and hoping Dream would follow — the moment is finally here. All six members chose to stay. Not because they had to, but because 2the company cited the members’ deep trust in one another and their lasting affection for the group as key reasons for the decision.
NCT Dream debuted as teenagers with “Chewing Gum” in 2016. Ten years later, they’re adults who’ve sold millions of albums, filled stadiums, survived a rotational concept controversy, weathered a member departure, and emerged stronger than ever — choosing each other one more time.
The dream was never just a concept. It was a promise. And today, six members kept it. 💚🏆
👉 Also Read: Latest K-Pop & Music News on TechnoSports
👉 Also Read: Trending Entertainment Stories This Week
FAQs
Q: Have all NCT Dream members renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment?
2 On August 20, SM Entertainment officially announced that every member has committed to a new contract. The agency shared that, following Haechan’s earlier renewal, the remaining members (Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung) have now also completed their renewals. This confirms NCT Dream’s continuation as a complete 6-member group.
Q: Is Mark still part of NCT Dream after the renewal?
No. Mark departed both NCT and SM Entertainment on April 3, 2026. The remaining six members (Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung) have all renewed their contracts, confirming NCT Dream’s continuation without Mark. 2The company cited the members’ deep trust in one another and their lasting affection for the group as key reasons for the decision.
