NCT 127 is marking its 10th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the sound and identity that have defined the group since its 2016 debut. The SM Entertainment group released its seventh full-length album, BLINGY, on Aug. 24, while preparing to begin its fifth world tour, “NEO CITY – THE REDLINE,” later this month.

The group’s future became clearer in July when Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan all renewed their exclusive contracts with SM Entertainment. The agency said the agreements reflected the members’ strong teamwork, long-standing bond and mutual trust. Taeyong later confirmed that the members renewed their contracts with the intention of continuing their activities as both NCT and NCT 127.

The renewal came during a period of significant change for the group. Former member Mark departed in April after his contract with SM ended, while Doyoung and Jungwoo are currently completing mandatory military service. As a result, BLINGY is being promoted by five members: Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun and Haechan. Doyoung and Jungwoo nevertheless appear on the album’s “127 Million Miles,” which features all seven members.

During the album’s Seoul press conference, Taeyong acknowledged that the lineup changes had been difficult for the members. He also spoke about Mark’s decade with the group and said he respected the different path his former bandmate had chosen. At the same time, Taeyong emphasized the trust among the seven members who remain associated with NCT 127 and their intention to continue building on the group’s history.

BLINGY consists of nine tracks and represents a return to the group’s original Seoul-centered identity. The title track carries the group’s high-energy approach, while songs including “Legacy,” “Piñata,” “Step Up,” “IKR,” “Getaway,” “Day After Day,” “127 Million Miles” and “I mean, It’s about time” expand the album’s musical range. “I mean, It’s about time” was co-written by Taeyong and Johnny and reflects on the group’s decade together.

The members have continued to describe their music as deliberately distinct rather than built around following existing K-pop trends. Their catalog, including “Fire Truck,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Regular,” “Kick It,” “Sticker” and “Fact Check,” has established the group’s experimental and performance-heavy identity, commonly associated with the “Neo” concept.

For the 10th-anniversary release, the members also placed emphasis on preserving that identity despite the changes around the group. Johnny described the choreography for “Blingy” as among the most demanding the group has performed, while Jaehyun said the album represented another opportunity to take on different challenges in music and style.

The group is now moving directly from the album’s release into its next major live chapter. “NEO CITY – THE REDLINE” is scheduled to open with three concerts at Seoul’s KSPO Dome from Sept. 18-20. Official announcements have also confirmed live-viewing events connected to the Seoul concerts, while the wider tour is set to take NCT 127 to additional Asian markets.

As the 10th-anniversary activities continue, NCT 127 is operating with seven members under renewed SM contracts, while five members currently handle group promotions because of military service. The latest album and upcoming tour place the group’s “Neo” identity, established over its first decade, at the center of its next phase.