TAKE a glimpse into the daily lives of K-pop boy band NCT through the interactive exhibit “NCT Home” which gives the ultimate get-to-know-your-idols experience.
“NCT Home” bridges the gap between NCTzens (their fandom name) and these idols and brings them close to each other as it takes visitors on a journey through several areas of their home. Each zone in the exhibit evokes a certain type of mood and feel, giving layers to the 20 members of the group.
The multimedia showcase, ongoing until Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., at the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, was first put up by NCT’s agency SM Entertainment in Seoul early this year. The original setup has been meticulously replicated by Next in Line Entertainment (NILE), ensuring Filipino fans could enjoy the same captivating experience witnessed in South Korea.
“’NCT Home’ in the Philippines is the first K-pop exhibit in the Philippines. We’re the first to bring it here outside Korea,” Jennifer Alinea, chief executive officer of NILE Inc., said.
“It’s an exhibit that features different parts of the members’ house. This immersive exhibit is designed to mimic what would it be like going home for them. And each area highlights the section of their everyday lives.”
Ticket prices are at P1,350 per head and include a one-hour exhibit admission, random event photocard, event souvenir card, “NCT Home” poster flyer, printed “NCT Home” ticket, color-coded wristband, official merchandising access and in-exhibit exclusives. You can walk in but it’s best to book a slot in advance at www.ncthomeph.com.
Themed rooms
When you watch concerts and events related to NCT (an acronym for Neo Culture Technology), you usually get the sub-units such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT U and NCT Dojaejung. Such is not the case in “NCT Home”.
It’s all the members under one roof, plus their pop-up mascot, a golden retriever named Rocco.
Before entering the exhibit, NCTzens will have to go through a ticketing area that resembles a bus stop, leaving fans with the sensation of arriving in NCT’s neighborhood. A diorama showcasing the entire exhibit is set up behind the bus stop.
The surroundings are adorned with posters of the group and large screens playing their music videos, adding to the excitement and ambiance of the space.
There is also a stamp area in this section. The stamps on display feature the authentic autographs of each member. Visitors can enjoy a delightful experience trying out the stamps on the back of the provided free poster.
Then, guests will head on to the Romantic Garden where they will be welcomed by life-size versions of NCT on LED screens. The lush garden allows you to bask in the beauty of the outdoors and surround yourself with nature. The display is completed with a basketball court in the area.
NCT members love playing basketball, so it only makes sense that there is one in the exhibit. Fans can even enjoy a round or two. By the end of the room, there’s a blue door that says “NCT Home.” Rocco’s doghouse is the first thing you will see when you go inside.
The living room features wooden floorboards, white brick walls, a mint fireplace, sitting areas, a foosball table, mini-golf, framed photos of the members and pennants with the names of the members hanging above the room. There are also claw machines where you can test your skills and win exciting prizes. However, these machines require separate payments to participate in the fun-filled challenge. Every corner is photogenic and can be a good spot to take pictures in.
Fans can also indulge in a game of billiards for free or simply relax and enjoy watching videos of the members projected on the screen.
A shelf in the living area proudly showcases some of the group’s albums, allowing fans to admire and appreciate the musical journey of NCT.
In this room is a wall where you can find the mugs belonging to Jungwoo, Haechan, Xiaojun, Hendery, Yangyang, Jaehyun, Kun, Jeno, Doyoung, Chenle, Jisung, Ten, Renjun, Jaemin, Mark, Yuta, Taeyong, Johnny, Taeil and Winwin. Some of them are signed while others have cute drawings on it, drawn by the members themselves.
There’s a bar after the game room where you can find the members’ videos blowing on cupcakes greeting you “Happy Birthday” in Korean.
Visitors wait in this room to record their favorite members. There’s a black couch where you can sit and watch the members play on the same couch on television.
Then comes a hallway divided into two sides. One side has interactive posters while the other has clothes that the members have worn. The outfits are protected by a casing, but all of them have pictures of the members wearing them.
AI posters
The AI posters have gained a lot of attention online. It’s because you can actually interact with the posters, just like those animated portraits from “Harry Potter”.
You can make the members’ heads follow your hand as you run it across the screen. This allows you to have a better look and appreciation of the sharp angles of their jaws. With a couple of taps, you can make your favorite NCT member smile, wink, open his mouth, turn left, right, up, down, or even do a cute pout.
The next room has a starry ceiling, bunk beds and areas to lie on. There’s a projector showing the idols’ pillow fight and playing with a telescope.
The Home Party next door feels like a picnic area where you can sit on bean bags as never-before-seen interviews of the pop icons are shown.
An NCT experience is never complete without merch and you’ll be surprised to find lots of them in the merchandise zone and souvenir shop. Choose from an array of photo card sets, polaroid sets, key rings and acrylic coasters. You can even bring a piece of “NCT Home” to your own place with the LED mood diffuser set, lettering plate set and room deco kit.
There are Photoism booths at the end of the exhibit. For P400, you can have a four-cut photo and downloadable video with the member of your choice.
This first-ever K-pop interactive display in the Philippines is a haven for NCTzens. It’s definitely every bit like home. It gives off warm and cozy vibes – perfect if you want to spend a relaxing day with your fellow fans.
