NCT DREAM thrills Mexican fans at concert during Independence Day festivities
NCT Dream performs during their third world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Sept. 9. Courtesy of Ocesa
MEXICO CITY — It was Monday in Mexico City, an unusual day for a K-pop concert, but being the beginning of the week didn’t stop 10,000 fans from flocking to the Palacio de los Deportes to see NCT DREAM, who are back in the country for the third time.
Mexican fans were buzzing with excitement, transforming the area into a sea of neon green to celebrate NCT DREAM’s return to Mexico with "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" nearly 11 months after their last visit. With high expectations, the crowd eagerly anticipated the same incredible energy they had experienced at previous concerts.
NCT Dream fans dress in Chinas Poblanas, one of the traditional Mexican dresses, on the occasion of Mexican independence with the official colors of NCT Dream at the band's "THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Monday. Courtesy of Kmagazine and Kat HB
Growing up together
September is a big month for Mexico and this year it's especially special with the NCT DREAM concert coinciding in the same week of Independence Day celebrations. The festive atmosphere inspired NCTzens, the official fandom of NCT, to get creative with their outfits, incorporating patriotic themes into their attire. Fans donned lightsticks adorned with charro hats and adapted traditional Mexican costumes into the group's official neon green colors, giving NCT DREAM a warm and culturally vibrant welcome.
Even with several hours remaining before the doors opened, NCTzens were already lined up outside the iconic venue, arriving early in anticipation. Mostly young women, some accompanied by their families, they held signs, flags, and other eye-catching items to stand out in the crowd. They were eager to demonstrate their enthusiasm and engagement, excited to share this new chapter of their lives with the group.
NCT DREAM debuted in 2016 as a unit of NCT, with the idea that they might move to another unit once they came of age. Although Mark, the group’s leader, left in 2018, he returned in 2020, which led to a shift in their concept to keep the group together.
Some Mexican fans have followed NCT DREAM since their debut, witnessing their growth and development as artists. For these fans, NCT DREAM represents a significant part of their lives, and they are committed to being present for every milestone in the group's journey.
NCTzen Jasmine wearing a charro hat poses with a Mexican flag adorned with NCT member Jisung ahead of the Mexcian concert of NCT Dream's world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Monday. Courtesy of Kmagazine and Kat HB
Jasmine, a 20-year-old from Mexico, has been a fan of Jisung since she was 10. “The first time he came, I lined up at 3 a.m. Every time they come, I try to be there because I promised myself I would always be his fan. I went through a lot of bullying as a child, which led to depression. Jisung was my only support. It’s my way of thanking him for always being my source of happiness and hope. Thanks to him, I’ve grown closer to my family. I’m going to support him in every way I can,” she recalled, her voice breaking as she shared this with Kmagazine.
Jasmine has had the chance to interact with Jisung during the previous two visits of NCT DREAM to Mexico and hopes to continue this tradition during their third visit. She’s even prepared a charro hat with Jisung’s name on it, which she plans to give him at the concert.
Despite having an eight-year history, NCT DREAM’s fanbase is notably young, mirroring the members themselves, who are between 22 and 25 years old. Their path to making a name for themselves in the K-pop industry at such a young age has inspired and given hope to many other young people.
This dedication has touched fans across the globe. For example, two 16-year-old sisters from Costa Rica traveled with their family to see NCT DREAM. They spent four months planning the trip and their parents were thrilled, saying, "We’re very happy because it’s all about making them happy and giving them a great experience."
NCT Dream performs during their third world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Sept. 9. Courtesy of Ocesa
Unstoppable energy
At 8 p.m., the Palacio de los Deportes was illuminated by a sea of approximately 10,000 fans waving neon green lightsticks, according to Ocesa, the production company for the Mexican concert. The fans swiftly took their seats, ready to greet NCT DREAM with such fervent screams that it felt as though they might never have the chance to use their voices again.
Dressed in fitted black suits adorned with studs and a few red accents, Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung took the stage in Mexico with an explosion of energy. They kicked things off with “BOX,” “SOS” and “GO,” ramping up the excitement.
The intensity of the screams hit a new level during their initial greeting. The cheers were so loud that the members' words were sometimes lost in the noise, especially when they shared how much they missed their fans. “We came back after a year just to see you,” Mark said, triggering an even louder wave of euphoria from the crowd.
An NCTzen shows her lightstick decorated with Mexican motifs such as sombreros and bows for the celebration of Mexican independence before NCT Dream's "THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Monday. Courtesy of Kmagazine and Kat HB
For the entire two and a half hours of the concert, the screaming never ceased and neither did NCT DREAM’s energy. The band kept the fans jumping and singing as if there was no tomorrow.
Their versatility as artists was on full display in a setlist that ranged from early hits like “Drippin” and “We Go Up” to ballads such as “Never Goodbye” and “Breathing.” This impressive mix highlighted their exceptional vocal skills and solidified their status as standout K-pop artists.
NCT Dream performs during their third world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Sept. 9. Courtesy of Ocesa
NCT DREAM’s versatility extends beyond their music to their dynamic stage presence, which they characterize with three key concepts: “Cute,” “Hello Future” and “Sexy.” When Mark asked the Mexican fans which concept they preferred, the cheers and applause revealed equal support for all three. Over their eight-year career, the group has evolved alongside these concepts and Mark announced that their next comeback will embrace all three facets.
The highlight of the night came when they brought their most colorful and fun energy to songs like “Yogurt Shake” and “Candy.” Their cover of the H.O.T. classic was the crowd’s favorite, with the most enthusiastic chanting of the evening. Even after nearly two hours, the energy remained high with singles like “Fireflies,” “Broken Melodies,” “Skateboard,” “ISTJ” and “Smoothie.”
An NCT fan shows mock-ups of Mexican voter ID cards with photos of NCT Dream members ahead of the band's "THE DREAM SHOW 3 : DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Monday. Courtesy of Kmagazine and Kat HB
Promise of coming back as seven
Mexico is the final stop for NCT DREAM on their Latin American leg of “THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM()SCAPE” tour, wrapping up after stops in Colombia, Brazil and Chile.
Even though they were already familiar with the high energy and enthusiasm of their Mexican fans, the members couldn’t help but express their amazement. They repeatedly thanked their fans in Spanish for their unwavering support throughout the tour.
Chenle described the concert in Mexico as “an unforgettable moment,” while Jisung said the Mexican fans “are always more than I imagined.”
The feeling was mutual. As the boy band prepared for the final set, the venue’s screen displayed posters that the audience had specially created for the occasion.
One poster, written entirely in Korean, read, “I graduated from university thanks to NCT.” Another said, “7DREAM, thank you for being a part of my youth.”
NCT Dream performs during their third world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Sept. 9. Courtesy of Ocesa
Many of the posters were dedicated to Renjun, a member who has been on a break since April due to health issues and anxiety. Messages for Renjun included, “My Renjun, it’s not your fault. Please remember that I’m here for you,” “Please tell Renjun we miss him,” and “Renjun, take care. I will always wait for you.”
As the show neared its end, NCT DREAM returned to the stage one last time in white suits to perform their latest English single, “Rains in Heaven.” After singing “ANL” and sharing their final thoughts with the audience, they closed the concert with “Like We Just Met,” marking a bittersweet farewell to their fans.
Before saying their final goodbye, the boys promised to return to Mexico with all seven members and a refreshed version of NCT DREAM.
An NCT fan shows her lightstick along with an edited image of an NCT Dream member dressed in a Mexican president's outfit, ahead of the band's "THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE" concert at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico, Monday. Courtesy of Kmagazine and Kat HB
As they progress through their eight-year career, NCT DREAM carries with them the unforgettable memories from their third world tour. From Mexico, they leave with not only the love and warmth of their fans but also symbols of their unwavering loyalty. Among these is the charro hat Jasmine prepared for Jisung, which she finally had the chance to give him at the end of the concert.
The group will continue their tour in the United States throughout September and in Europe in October and November, wrapping up with an encore concert in Seoul from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
Aura Resendiz is a reporter for Kmagazine, a Mexican media outlet focused on Korean and Asian culture with more than nine years of covering the hallyu scene in Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries. This article was translated into English by Gabriela Mulia.