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{{Short description|2020 single by NCT 127}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song|name=Kick It|cover=NCT_127_Kick_It_cover.jpg|alt=The remix single cover artwork for Kick It, released through the iScream project by SM Entertainment and Scream Records.|border=yes|type=single|artist=[[NCT 127]]|album=[[Neo Zone]]|language=[[Korean language|Korean]]|released={{Start date|2020|03|06}}|format=* [[Music download|Digital download]]
| name = Kick It
* [[streaming media|streaming]]|recorded=2019 – 2020|studio=SM Studios, Seoul, South Korea|venue=|genre={{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip-hop]]|[[noise pop]]|[[R&B]]}}|length={{duration|m=3|s=53}}|label={{hlist|[[SM Entertainment|SM]]|Dreamus|[[Universal Music Group]]|[[Caroline Distribution|Caroline]]}}|writer=* Wutan
| cover = NCT 127 Kick It cover.jpg
| alt = The remix single cover artwork for Kick It, released through the iScreaM project by SM Entertainment and Scream Records.
| border = yes
| caption = iScream remix cover
| type = single
| artist = [[NCT 127]]
| album = [[Neo Zone]]
| language = {{hlist|[[Korean language|Korean]]|English}}
| released = {{Start date|2020|03|06}}
| recorded = 2019–2020
| studio = {{ubl|SM Booming System ([[Seoul]])|Golden Bell Tree Sound (Seoul)}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=53}}
| label = {{hlist|SM|Scream}}
| lyricist =
* Wutan
* Rick Bridges
* Rick Bridges
* danke (lalala Studio)|producer=* [[Dem Jointz]]
* danke (lalala Studio)
| composer =
* [[Dem Jointz|Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr.]]
* Deez
* Deez
* Mayila Jones
* Mayila Jones
* Rodnae "Chikk" Bell
* Rodnae "Chikk" Bell
* [[Ryan S. Jhun]]
* [[Ryan S. Jhun]]
* [[Yoo Young-jin]]
* [[Yoo Young-jin]]|prev_title=Dreams Come True|prev_year=2020|next_title=Punch|next_year=2020|misc={{Extra chronology
| prev_title = [[Highway to Heaven (song)|Highway to Heaven]]
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Punch
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[NCT (band)|NCT]]
| artist = [[NCT (band)|NCT]]
| type = single
| type = single
| prev_title = Dreams Come True
| prev_title = Love Talk
| prev_year = 2020
| prev_year = 2019
| title = Kick It
| title = Kick It
| year = 2020
| year = 2020
Line 19: Line 42:
| next_year = 2020
| next_year = 2020
}}
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|2OvyA2__Eas|"영웅 (英雄; Kick It)"}}}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|2OvyA2__Eas|"영웅 (英雄; Kick It)"}}}}}}"'''Kick It'''" ({{Korean|hangul=영웅|hanja=英雄|rr=Yeong-ung|mr=Yīng xióng|lit=Hero}}) is a song recorded by South Korean [[boy band]] [[NCT 127]], the multi-national and Seoul-based unit of the unlimited boy group [[NCT (group)|NCT]] under the management of [[SM Entertainment]]. It was written by songwriter Wutan, Rick Bridges and danke of lalala Studio, with producers such as [[Dem Jointz]], Deez, Mayila Jones, Chikk, [[Ryan S. Jhun]] and [[Yoo Young-jin]] took part in production. Described as a "high-energy" song with "inspirational lyrics" that portrays the group's musical identity, it was released as the [[Single (music)|lead single]] from their second [[Album|studio album]] ''[[Neo Zone]]'' on March 6, 2020 by SM Entertainment and [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music]], with Dreamus as the South Korea distributor and Caroline as the United States distributor. An accompanying [[martial arts]]-themed [[music video]] was premiered on March 4, 2020, two days before its worldwide release, following three additional remixes on May 8, 2020.
}}

"'''Kick It'''" ({{Korean|hangul=영웅|hanja=英雄|rr=Yeong-ung|lit=Hero}}) is a song recorded by South Korean [[boy band]] [[NCT 127]]. It was written by Wutan, Rick Bridges and Danke of Lalala Studio, composed by [[Dem Jointz]], Deez, Mayila Jones, Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, [[Ryan S. Jhun]] and [[Yoo Young-jin]], and arranged by Jointz, Deez and Yoo. Described as a "high-energy" song with "inspirational lyrics" that portrays the group's musical identity, it was released as the [[Single (music)|lead single]] from their second studio album ''[[Neo Zone]]'' on March 6, 2020 by [[SM Entertainment]]. An accompanying [[martial arts]]-themed [[music video]] premiered two days prior.


Upon its release, "Kick It" received positive reviews from music critics for its "darkness" and "anthemic" return in contrast to their previous single releases which contributes further to their musical diversity. The song also attained commercial success in South Korea, becoming their first top-thirty entry on [[Gaon Digital Chart]], and by far their longest charting performance on the chart. The song was also the unit's first top-ten and to date, their longest chart performance on the [[K-pop Hot 100|''Billboard'' K-Pop Hot 100]], peaking at number nine for one week. It also entered at number three on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard's]]'' World Digital Songs chart, becoming their eighth top five entry on the chart, while becoming the unit's second entry on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart as a lead artist, peaking at number thirty-eight. The group went on to promote the song on several South Korea television music programs, and later again on May 17 as part of their online concert via [[Beyond Live]], titled ''Beyond the Origin''.
Music critics noted the song's "darkness" and "anthemic" return, in contrast to their previous singles, and believed it contributed to the group's musical diversity. Commercially, the song became NCT 127's first top-thirty entry on [[Gaon Digital Chart]], as well as their first top-ten entry on the [[K-pop Hot 100|''Billboard'' K-pop Hot 100]], peaking at number nine. It also entered at number three on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' World Digital Songs chart and became the group's second entry on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart. NCT 127 promoted the song on several South Korean music programs in addition to their online concert via [[Beyond Live]], titled Beyond the Origin.


== Background and release ==
== Background and release ==
After wrapping up promotion activities in the United States by the end of November 2019, SM Entertainment uploaded a music video for "Dreams Come True", along with the release announcement for ''Neo Zone'' on January 27, 2020. The label further confirmed that member Jungwoo would eventually join the group and participate in promotion activities following his initial hiatus from August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002824460|title=NCT 127 정우, 12월 팬미팅 불참 "내년쯤 활동 합류"(공식)|website=n.news.naver.com|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003523814|title=[공식] NCT127, 3월 6일 정규 2집 컴백…기프트송 스페셜 영상 공개|website=n.news.naver.com|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> On February 12, a "timeline" video for the album was announced on all social media platforms of the group, including a release schedule and the title of the lead single to be "영웅 / 英雄 (Kick It)".<ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 NEO ZONE #Timeline|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a15n7lbRVo|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551055/nct-127-neo-zone-lp-teasers|title=NCT 127 'Neo Zone' LP Teasers: See Them|date=2020-02-14|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Following the video previews of other album tracks, the music video teaser for "Kick It" was uploaded on the official [[SMTown|SMTOWN]] channel on March 3, 2020.<ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' MV Teaser|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5rO3j9LpA|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> The song had its official music video premiere one day later, while being released digitally along with its parental album on March 6, 2020.
After wrapping up promotional activities in the United States by the end of November 2019, SM Entertainment uploaded a music video for "Dreams Come True", along with the release announcement for ''Neo Zone'' on January 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003523814|title=[공식] NCT127, 3월 6일 정규 2집 컴백…기프트송 스페셜 영상 공개|last=Baek|first=Ji-eun|date=January 27, 2020|website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|language=ko|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127045426/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003523814|archive-date=January 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The label further confirmed that member Jungwoo would return to the group following his hiatus since August 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002824460|title=NCT 127 정우, 12월 팬미팅 불참 "내년쯤 활동 합류"(공식)|last=Gong|first=Mi-na|date=November 18, 2021|website=StarNews|language=ko|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008183912/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002824460|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 12, a "timeline" video for the album was posted on the group's social media accounts, including a release schedule and confirmation of the title of the lead single as "영웅 / 英雄 (Kick It)".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551055/nct-127-neo-zone-lp-teasers|title=NCT 127 'Neo Zone' LP Teasers: See Them|date=February 14, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603062806/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551055/nct-127-neo-zone-lp-teasers|url-status=live}}</ref> Following video previews of other album tracks, the music video teaser for "Kick It" was uploaded on the official [[SM Town]] channel on March 3, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551448/nct-127-mini-music-videos-b-sides-neo-zone-album|title=NCT 127 Are Dropping Mini Music Videos for B-Sides Ahead of Upcoming 'Neo Zone' LP|last=Herman|first=Tamar|date=February 19, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=Korean|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116034618/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551448/nct-127-mini-music-videos-b-sides-neo-zone-album|archive-date=January 16, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cho-2020">{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003538025|title='컴백' NCT 127, '영웅' MV 오늘(4일)밤 12시 선공개…극강 매력 기대↑|last=Cho|first=Yoon-seon|date=March 4, 2020|website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|language=Korean|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211020101925/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003538025|archive-date=October 20, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The full video premiered one day later and was released digitally alongside the rest of ''Neo Zone'' on March 6, 2020.<ref name="Cho-2020" /><ref name="Ko-2020">{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/421/0004487758|title=NCT 127, '영웅'이 온다…'더 스테이지'서 무대 최초 공개|last=Ko|first=Seung-ah|date=February 27, 2020|website=News1|language=Korean|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020104943/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/421/0004487758|archive-date=October 20, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Composition ==
== Composition ==


=== Writing and development ===
=== Writing and development ===
"Kick It" was produced by [[Americans|American]] [[Record producer|producer]] [[Dem Jointz]], South Korean songwriter Deez, [[Ryan S. Jhun]], Mayila Jones and Rodnae Bell, with [[Yoo Young-jin]] took part in the song's arrangement. The song marked the second time that Dem Jointz, Deez and Yoo Young-jin collaborated together with the boy group since "Cherry Bomb" in June 2017. During an interview with music critic Kim Young-dae in March 2020, songwriter and producer Deez said that the song was originally prepared to "gird the loins" for "Cherry Bomb 2.0", with the outcome being "stronger" than the 2017 single according to the producer. He further revealed that the production team had to "revise and multiply" the song for about a hundred times from end of December 2019 to early February 2020. While fellow producer Abernathy created the song's beat loop, Deez took part in the R&B arrangement for the track, having constructed and composed the bridge and the dance break section with the idea of "maintaining" the "harmonic vocal color" and "extensively energetic" chord work and arrangement to bring out a "trendy and old-school" color to the song. The rap recording process for member Taeyong and Mark was mostly the two members doing their respective parts in one-take to their preferences, and proceeded to arrange all the qualified cuts later.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=NCT 127의 작곡가 디즈(DEEZ)와의 인터뷰|url=https://medium.com/@toojazzy25/nct-127%EC%9D%98-%EC%9E%91%EA%B3%A1%EA%B0%80-%EB%94%94%EC%A6%88-deez-%EC%99%80%EC%9D%98-%EC%9D%B8%ED%84%B0%EB%B7%B0-2935d3ea7643|last=Youngdae|first=음악평론가 김영대 Kim|date=2020-03-29|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}}</ref>
"Kick It" was composed by [[Americans|American]] [[Record producer|producer]] [[Dem Jointz]], South Korean songwriter Deez, [[Ryan S. Jhun]], Mayila Jones and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, with [[Yoo Young-jin]] contributing to co-composition and arrangement. The song marked the second time that Dem Jointz, Deez and Yoo wrote together for the boy group since "Cherry Bomb" in June 2017. In an interview with music critic Kim Young-dae in March 2020, Deez stated that "Kick It" was originally prepared to "gird the loins" for "Cherry Bomb 2.0", opining that the outcome ended up being "stronger" than the 2017 single. He further revealed that the production team had to "revise and multiply" the song many times from end of December 2019 to early February 2020. Dem Jointz created the song's beat loop, and Deez focused on the R&B arrangement, having constructed the bridge and dance break sections with the goal of "maintaining" the "harmonic vocal color" and "extensively energetic" chord work to bring out a "trendy and old-school" feel to the song. Members Taeyong and Mark mostly rapped their respective parts in one-takes to their preferences, and the qualified cuts were arranged later.<ref name="Kim-2020">{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@toojazzy25/nct-127%EC%9D%98-%EC%9E%91%EA%B3%A1%EA%B0%80-%EB%94%94%EC%A6%88-deez-%EC%99%80%EC%9D%98-%EC%9D%B8%ED%84%B0%EB%B7%B0-2935d3ea7643|title=NCT 127의 작곡가 디즈(DEEZ)와의 인터뷰|last=Kim|first=Youngdae|date=March 29, 2020|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419183104/https://medium.com/@toojazzy25/nct-127%EC%9D%98-%EC%9E%91%EA%B3%A1%EA%B0%80-%EB%94%94%EC%A6%88-deez-%EC%99%80%EC%9D%98-%EC%9D%B8%ED%84%B0%EB%B7%B0-2935d3ea7643|archive-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Music and lyrics ===
=== Music and lyrics ===
{{Listen|filename=NCT 127 - Kick It.ogg|title="Kick It"|format=[[Ogg]]|pos=left|description="Kick It" is a song described as "powerful" [[Hip-Hop]] dance record with heavy [[Heavy metal guitar|metal guitar]] [[riff]] and [[R&B]] elements.}}Musically, SM Entertainment describes the song as a "powerful" [[Hip-Hop]] dance record with heavy [[Heavy metal guitar|metal guitar]] [[riff]] and [[R&B]] elements throughout the song<ref>{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4156</ref>, while Tamar Herman of ''Billboard'' saw the track as "high-energy" with industrial beats, throbbing bass, whistling synths and chanting shouts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/03/11/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review-kick-it/|title=NCT 127 Bring The Necessary Noise To K-Pop While Expanding Musical Identity On ‘Neo-Zone’ Album|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9328076/nct-127-kick-it-video|title=NCT 127&#39;s ‘Kick It’ Video: Watch|date=2020-03-04|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> The song is composed in the key of [[G major]] and set in [[common time]] at a moderate [[tempo]] of 167 [[beats per minute]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicstax.com/track/kick-it/1ayaOin9hxCtyhg4UsBTpg|title=Key and BPM of Kick It by NCT 127 {{!}} Musicstax|website=musicstax.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Excerpts of the song; including the harmonization and the main riff were also incorporated for the group's instrumental prelude, which was initially unreleased during its parental album release on March 6, 2020.<ref name=":6" />
{{Listen|filename=NCT 127 - Kick It.ogg|title="Kick It"|format=[[Ogg]]|pos=left|description="Kick It" is a song described as "powerful" [[hip hop music|hip hop]] dance record with heavy [[Heavy metal guitar|metal guitar]] [[riff]] and [[R&B]] elements.}}Musically, SM Entertainment described the song as a "powerful" [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] dance record with heavy [[Heavy metal guitar|metal guitar]] [[riff]] and [[R&B]] elements throughout,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4156|title=SM Entertainment|access-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107074025/https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4156|archive-date=January 7, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> while Tamar Herman of ''Billboard'' called the track "high-energy" with [[industrial music|industrial]] beats, throbbing bass, whistling synths and chanting shouts.<ref name="Herman-2020">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9328076/nct-127-kick-it-video|title=NCT 127 ‘Kick It’ in Fierce, Inspirational Video: Watch|last=Herman|first=Tamar|date=March 4, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417101005/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9328076/nct-127-kick-it-video|archive-date=April 17, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The song is composed in the key of F# minor and set in [[common time]] at a moderate [[tempo]] of 167 [[beats per minute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicstax.com/track/kick-it/1ayaOin9hxCtyhg4UsBTpg|title=Key and BPM of Kick It by NCT 127|website=Musicstax|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522181937/https://musicstax.com/track/kick-it/1ayaOin9hxCtyhg4UsBTpg|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Excerpts of the song, including the harmonization and main riff, were also incorporated into the initially-unreleased instrumental prelude of ''Neo Zone''.<ref name="Kim-2020" />


Lyrically, the song sings about how the members overcome their own "fears and traumas."<ref>{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4174|website=www.smentertainment.com|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> The group also refers themselves like [[Bruce Lee]] when on stage, through chantings like "Bass kicks swingin' like Bruce Lee", amongst other references like [[Jeet Kune Do|jeet kune]] and the movie [[Enter the Dragon]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/19223221/Nct-127-kick-it/Enter-the-dragon|title='Enter The Dragon' 영화같이|website=Genius|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> It was penned by lyricist Wutan, Rick Bridges and danke, the latter whom is part of the writing team lalala Studio.<ref>{{Cite web|title=lalala Studio’s Instagram photo: “[NCT 127 / '영웅(英雄; Kick It)'] 라라라스튜디오 'danke' 작가님들이 참여한 NCT 127의 '영웅(英雄; Kick It)'이 DJ 발렌티노 칸, 미니몬스터, 히치하이커님들의 손길로 리믹스 버전이 공개되었습니다. 새로운 영웅의…”|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B_6ohIDFZ0w/|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref>
Lyrically, the song sees the members overcome their own "fears and traumas."<ref>{{cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4174|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522181846/https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4174|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The group also compares themselves to [[Bruce Lee]] when onstage, mentioning him in chantings such as "Bass kicks swingin' like Bruce Lee" and referring to [[Jeet Kune Do]] and his film ''[[Enter the Dragon]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3158690/nct-127-kick-it-video-analysis/|title=NCT 127 just kicked us in the face with new single 'Kick it'|last=Bell|first=Crystal|date=March 4, 2020|website=[[MTV News]]|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305145650/https://www.mtv.com/news/3158690/nct-127-kick-it-video-analysis/|archive-date=March 5, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was penned by Wutan, Rick Bridges and Lalala Studio writing team member Danke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lalalastudio.net/|title=Lalala Studio Instructor|website=Lalala Studio|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628201412/https://www.lalalastudio.net/|archive-date=June 28, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Music video ==
== Music video ==
Directed by South Korean [[Film director|director]] Oui Kim, the music video for "Kick It" possesses a martial arts-theme combined with the group's unique [[martial arts]] [[choreography]] and performance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=OUI on Instagram: “kick it”|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZMM0opNFO/|last=|first=|date=|website=Instagram|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Set in the Neo Oriental mood virtual space of "Neo Zone", the video expresses the story of repulsing trauma by itself, while seeing the members reborn as powerful "heroes", living up to the original Korean title meaning.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4176|website=www.smentertainment.com|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> The martial arts, action movie-influenced choreography was created by choreographer Koosung Jung, whom later revealed that member [[Lee Tae-yong|Taeyong]] also contributed some of the "action scenes" to the overall performance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127’s “Kick It” Choreographer Reveals One Of The Coolest Moves Was Taeyong’s Idea|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1390947wpp/nct-127s-kick-it-choreographer-reveals-one-of-the-coolest-moves-was-taeyongs-idea|date=2020-03-28|website=Soompi|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Three other video versions are also available on the group's Youtube channel, starting with the visualiser version on March 8, the vertical version on March 16 and finally the performance-only video on March 19.<ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' Visualiser|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZiXQOq4lIw|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' Vertical Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOKwZbH5xcA|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' Performance Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_aL-OlJJY|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
Directed by South Korean [[Film director|director]] Oui Kim, the music video for "Kick It" has a [[martial arts]] theme.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kick It|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZMM0opNFO/|date=March 6, 2020|website=Instagram|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211020140238/https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZMM0opNFO/|archive-date=October 20, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Set in the "Neo Oriental" mood virtual space of "Neo Zone", the video tells the story of overcoming trauma, while seeing the members reborn as powerful "heroes", living up to the song's original Korean title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4176|title=SM Entertainment|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013233827/https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4176|archive-date=October 13, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The martial arts, action movie-influenced choreography was created by choreographer Koosung Jung, who revealed that member [[Lee Tae-yong|Taeyong]] also contributed some of the "action scenes" to the overall performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1390947wpp/nct-127s-kick-it-choreographer-reveals-one-of-the-coolest-moves-was-taeyongs-idea|title=NCT 127's "Kick It" Choreographer Reveals One Of The Coolest Moves Was Taeyong's Idea|date=March 28, 2020|website=[[Soompi]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329075804/https://www.soompi.com/article/1390947wpp/nct-127s-kick-it-choreographer-reveals-one-of-the-coolest-moves-was-taeyongs-idea|archive-date=March 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Three other versions were made available on the NCT 127's Youtube channel, including a visualiser version on March 8, vertical version on March 16 and choreography-only performance video on March 19.


== Promotion ==
== Promotion ==
Following the music video release, the group shared their first performance for "Kick It" as NCT 127 The Stage through their official channel on March 5.<ref>{{Citation|title=NCT 127 엔시티 127 '영웅 (英雄; Kick It)' @NCT 127 THE STAGE (SQUAD & FIGHTER Ver.)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReYVcIKYhiA|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SM Entertainment|url=https://www.smentertainment.com/PressCenter/Details/4176|website=www.smentertainment.com|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> A day later, the group had their first [[Music programs of South Korea|music show]] performance on ''[[Music Bank (TV series)|Music Bank]]'', followed by their promotion on ''[[Show! Music Core]]'' and ''[[Inkigayo]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127, 신곡 '영웅' 무대 '뮤직뱅크' 최초 공개|url=https://www.news1.kr/articles/?3860638|date=2020-03-03|website=뉴스1|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> NCT 127 eventually earned their first ''Music Bank'' trophy for the track on March 27, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=엔시티127(NCT 127), ‘영웅’으로 ‘뮤직뱅크’ 1위 달성 (ft. 릴레이 댄스) - 박정민 기자|url=http://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=749951|date=2020-03-27|website=톱스타뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127, 방탄소년단 꺾고 '뮤직뱅크 1위'…‘영웅’의 귀환|url=http://www.starinnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=306175|date=2020-03-27|website=연예뉴스 스타인뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Along with other album tracks, "Kick It" was part of the group's setlist for ''Beyond the Origin'', an online live concert via streaming service by NCT 127's native label on May 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=NCT 127, ‘비욘드 라이브’에 전 세계 10만 4000여 시청자 모였다|url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0001674523|accessdate=May 18, 2020|website=n.news.naver.com}}</ref>
Following the music video release, the group shared their first performance for "Kick It" as NCT 127 The Stage through their official channel on March 5.<ref name="Ko-2020" /> One day later, the group had their first [[Music programs of South Korea|music show]] performance on ''[[Music Bank (TV series)|Music Bank]]'', followed by promotions on ''[[Show! Music Core]]'' and ''[[Inkigayo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news1.kr/articles/?3860638|title=NCT 127, 신곡 '영웅' 무대 '뮤직뱅크' 최초 공개|last=Kim|first=Min-ji|date=March 3, 2020|website=News1|language=ko|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522182007/https://www.news1.kr/articles/?3860638|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> NCT 127 eventually earned their first ''Music Bank'' trophy for the track on March 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001128326|title=NCT 127 "생각 못한 '뮤직뱅크' 1위, 시즈니들 덕분" [★해시태그]|last=Lee|first=Song-hee|date=March 28, 2020|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020142218/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001128326|archive-date=October 20, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with other album tracks, "Kick It" was part of the group's setlist for Beyond the Origin, an online live concert via streaming service Beyond Live on May 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0001674523|title=NCT 127, '비욘드 라이브'에 전 세계 10만 4000여 시청자 모였다|last=Ko|first=Seung-hee|date=May 18, 2020|website=Herald Business|access-date=May 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703195940/https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0001674523|archive-date=July 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>


As part of the group's promotion in the United States, the song was first performed live during their gig on March 10 at ''[[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]]'', becoming the very first K-pop act to perform at the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 is ready to bring K-pop to the RodeoHouston stage|url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/nct-127-ready-to-bring-k-pop-to-the-rodeohouston-15110973|last=March 6|first=Joey Guerra|last2=March 10|first2=2020Updated:|website=Preview {{!}} Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-30|last3=2020|last4=Pm|first4=10:54}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Becomes First K-Pop Group to Perform at Houston Rodeo|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9332913/nct-first-k-pop-group-perform-rodeohouston|date=2020-03-11|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 is ready to bring K-pop to the RodeoHouston stage|url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/nct-127-ready-to-bring-k-pop-to-the-rodeohouston-15110973|last=March 6|first=Joey Guerra|last2=March 10|first2=2020Updated:|website=Preview {{!}} Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-30|last3=2020|last4=Pm|first4=10:54}}</ref> It was reported that the group would embark on their first U.S. [[Concert tour|arena tour]]; titled "''Neo City - The Awards''", to promote the single and the entire album starting from June 6 at [[New York City]]'s [[Madison Square Garden]], but was later postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns|COVID-19 pandemic lockdown]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Upgrades To A Full U.S. Arena Tour For ‘Neo City - The Awards’ This Summer|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/02/29/nct-127-2020-us-tour-neo-city-the-awards-north-american-tour-arena-dates/|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Tour Dates Include Madison Square Garden Opener|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551926/nct-127-north-american-tour-dates|date=2020-02-25|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-01|title=Concerts Canceled Due To Coronavirus: Ongoing List|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9323647/concerts-canceled-coronavirus-list|access-date=2020-07-02|website=Billboard}}</ref>
As part of the group's promotions in the United States, the song was first performed on March 10 at [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]], where NCT 127 became the very first K-pop act to perform at the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/nct-127-ready-to-bring-k-pop-to-the-rodeohouston-15110973|title=NCT 127 is ready to bring K-pop to the RodeoHouston stage|date=March 6, 2020|last=Guerra|first=Joey|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318184958/https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/nct-127-ready-to-bring-k-pop-to-the-rodeohouston-15110973|archive-date=March 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9332913/nct-first-k-pop-group-perform-rodeohouston|title=NCT 127 Becomes First K-Pop Group to Perform at Houston Rodeo|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=March 11, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021107/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9332913/nct-first-k-pop-group-perform-rodeohouston|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reported that the group would embark on their first U.S. [[Concert tour|arena tour]], Neo City The Awards, to promote the single and ''Neo Zone'' album starting from June 6 at [[New York City]]'s [[Madison Square Garden]]; the tour was subsequently postponed due to the [[COVID-19 lockdowns|COVID-19 lockdown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/02/29/nct-127-2020-us-tour-neo-city-the-awards-north-american-tour-arena-dates/|title=NCT 127 Upgrades To A Full U.S. Arena Tour For 'Neo City - The Awards' This Summer|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=February 29, 2020|website=Forbes|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304002935/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/02/29/nct-127-2020-us-tour-neo-city-the-awards-north-american-tour-arena-dates/|archive-date=March 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551926/nct-127-north-american-tour-dates|title=NCT 127 Tour Dates Include Madison Square Garden Opener|last=Herman|first=Tamar|date=February 25, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603062839/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8551926/nct-127-north-american-tour-dates|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9323647/concerts-canceled-coronavirus-list|title=Concerts Canceled Due To Coronavirus: Ongoing List|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=July 2, 2020|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701141016/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9323647/concerts-canceled-coronavirus-list|archive-date=July 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Critical reception ==
== Critical reception ==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = ''[[IZM]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30054&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1|accessdate=April 30, 2020|website=IZM|author=Hwang Sun-eob|publisher=IZM|title=Kick It|language=korean}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[IZM]]''<ref name="Hwang">{{cite web|url=http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30054&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1|title=영웅(英雄 : Kick It)|last=Hwang|first=Sun-eob|access-date=April 30, 2020|website=[[IZM]]|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326120127/http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30054&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1|archive-date=March 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{rating|3|5}}
| rev1Score = {{rating|3|5}}
| rev1score =
| rev1score =
}}
}}Following its initial release, "Kick It" received positive reviews from music critics. Giving the song 3 stars out of five, writer Hwang Sun-eob of ''[[IZM]]'' noted the song was "going too hard", but complimented its "level of balance" with both the rapping and singing performance of the group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Neo Music Communication IZM|url=http://www.izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=30054&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1|website=www.izm.co.kr|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Tamar Herman of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine called the track "high-energy", while Amber from ''The Kraze'' agreed on how this song is the "signature sound" of the group.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127&#39;s ‘Kick It’ Video: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9328076/nct-127-kick-it-video|date=2020-03-04|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Wants to “Kick It” in Their New Music Video|url=http://www.thekrazemagazine.com/latest-updates/2020/3/11/nct-127-wants-to-kick-it-in-their-new-music-video|website=The Kraze|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Jeff Benjamin of ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine also praised the noise-pop influence of the song as "impactful", while noting its R&B influence which eventually "set the stage" for its parental album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Bring The Necessary Noise To K-Pop While Expanding Musical Identity On ‘Neo-Zone’ Album|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/03/11/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review-kick-it/|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Another review from ''SoundDigest'' called the track "rambunctious", while writer Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum from ''[[Consequence of Sound|Consequences of Sound]]'' noted the song's metal influence and its "darkness, anthemic" return to some of their [[Cherry Bomb (EP)|early releases]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 Neo Zone Begins New Era With The Second Album|url=https://soundigest.com/2020/03/13/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review/|date=2020-03-13|website=Soundigest|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Album Review: NCT 127 Return With an Expanded Wheelhouse on NEO ZONE|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/03/album-review-nct-127-neo-zone/|date=2020-03-04|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Writer Vandana Pawa of ''[[Teen Vogue|TeenVogue]]'' gave the song a positive review, citing “Kick It” as a representation of both the group's sonic origin and development in the near future.<ref>{{Cite web|title=On Neo Zone, NCT 127 Evolves Into the Next Great Version of Themselves|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nct-127-new-album-neo-zone-review-journey-into-the-future|last=Pawa|first=Vandana|website=Teen Vogue|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> In an interview with the song's producer Deez, music critic Kim Young-dae said the song was a "masterpiece" that continues the legacy of “Cherry Bomb,” while not being "as complicated" as the 2017 single. He also praised the song as "dynamic," "more airtight and dense" with intersected "thick texture and soulful verse of sophisticated harmony."<ref name=":6" />

Following its initial release, "Kick It" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Giving the song three stars out of five, writer Hwang Sun-eob of ''[[IZM]]'' noted the song was "going too hard", but complimented its "level of balance" with both the rapping and singing performance of the group.<ref name="Hwang" /> Tamar Herman of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine called the track "high-energy",<ref name="Herman-2020" /> while Jeff Benjamin of ''[[Forbes]]'' praised the [[noise-pop]] influence of the song as "impactful", and noted its R&B influence that "set the stage" for ''Neo Zone''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/03/11/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review-kick-it/|title=NCT 127 Bring The Necessary Noise To K-Pop While Expanding Musical Identity On 'Neo-Zone' Album|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|date=March 11, 2020|website=Forbes|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522115910/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2020/03/11/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review-kick-it/|archive-date=May 22, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another review from ''SoundDigest'' called the track "rambunctious", while writer Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum from ''[[Consequence of Sound|Consequences of Sound]]'' noted the song's metal influence and the "darkness, anthemic" return to some of their [[Cherry Bomb (EP)|early releases]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundigest.com/2020/03/13/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review/|title=NCT 127 Neo Zone Begins New Era With The Second Album|last=Lee|first=Amanda|date=March 13, 2020|website=SounDigest|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804163534/https://soundigest.com/2020/03/13/nct-127-neo-zone-album-review/|archive-date=August 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/03/album-review-nct-127-neo-zone/|title=Album Review: NCT 127 Return With an Expanded Wheelhouse on Neo Zone|last=Hodoyan-Gastelum|first=Alexis|date=March 4, 2020|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508093628/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/03/album-review-nct-127-neo-zone/|archive-date=May 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Writer Vandana Pawa of ''[[Teen Vogue]]'' gave the song a positive review, citing "Kick It" as a representation of both the group's sonic origin and development in the near future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nct-127-new-album-neo-zone-review-journey-into-the-future|title=On Neo Zone, NCT 127 Evolves Into the Next Great Version of Themselves|last=Pawa|first=Vandana|date=March 6, 2020|website=Teen Vogue|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423050627/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nct-127-new-album-neo-zone-review-journey-into-the-future|archive-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with the song's producer Deez, music critic Kim Young-dae said the song was a "masterpiece" that continued the legacy of "Cherry Bomb," while not being "as complicated" as the 2017 single. He also praised the song as "dynamic" and "more airtight and dense" with "thick texture and soulful verse of sophisticated harmony."<ref name="Kim-2020" />

=== Accolades ===
"Kick It" received one music show award on the March 27, 2020, broadcast of ''[[Music Bank (TV program)|Music Bank]]''. It was nominated for [[Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Dance Performance|Best Dance Performance – Male Group]] at the [[2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Jae-hoon |date=October 29, 2020 |title=2020 MAMA, 온라인투표 시작...팬덤 몰려 홈페이지 후끈 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010157092 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020162909/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/003/0010157092 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |access-date=October 20, 2021 |website=[[Newsis]] |language=ko}}</ref> Publications who ranked the song among the best K-pop songs of 2020 include ''JoyNews24'' (5th),<ref>{{cite web |last=Jung |first=Ji-won |date=November 1, 2020 |title=[창간16년]방탄소년단, 적수 없는 '올해의 노래'·'올해의 가수'…압도적 득표 |url=http://joynews24.com/view/1311814 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205121406/http://www.joynews24.com/view/1311814 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=Joy24News |language=ko}}</ref> ''[[Sanook.com|Sanook]]'' (10th),<ref>{{cite web |last=Jurairat |first=N. |last2=Sidhipong |first2=W. |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Top 20 เพลงสุดฮิตแห่งปี 2020 |trans-title=Top 20 Hit Songs of 2020 |url=https://www.sanook.com/music/2426633/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221154334/https://www.sanook.com/music/2426633/ |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2021 |website=[[Sanook.com|Sanook]] |language=th}}</ref> ''[[Tonplein]]'' (11th),<ref>{{cite web |last=Yang |first=So-ha |date=November 30, 2020 |title=2020 케이팝 결산 |trans-title=Top 30 K-Pop Songs of 2020 |url=http://www.tonplein.com/?p=4450 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130114850/http://www.tonplein.com/?p=4450 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2021 |website=Whole Tone |language=ko}}</ref> ''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]'' (20th), and ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (unranked)''.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Moon |first=Kat |date=December 11, 2020 |title=The Songs and Albums That Defined K-Pop's Monumental Year in 2020 |url=https://time.com/5920059/best-kpop-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212002800/https://time.com/5920059/best-kpop-2020/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2020 |website=TIME}}</ref>


== Commercial performance ==
== Commercial performance ==
"Kick It" saw an increasing digital performance comparing to the group's previous releases as the song debuted and peaked within the top five of all digital real-time music charts in South Korea, eventually reaching number one position on Bugs and Naver.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127 '영웅', 공개하자마자 벅스·네이버 1위...멜론 예측도 '정상' 예감 [美친차트]|url=https://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/03/06/2020030602931.html|date=2020-03-06|website=news.chosun.com|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NCT 127, 중독성 강한 '영웅'..글로벌 차트 1위|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020030710174165706|date=2020-03-07|website=스타뉴스|language=ko|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> With only one day counted towards the first charting week, the song debuted at number sixty-eight on [[Gaon Digital Chart]] for the week of March 7, 2020, before reaching number twenty-one where it peaked the next week.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gaon Weekly Digital Chart - Week 10, 2020|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=10&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|last=|first=|date=|website=gaonchart.co.kr|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Gaon Weekly Digital Chart - Week 11, 2020|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|last=|first=|date=|website=gaonchart.co.kr|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> Not only did the song surpassed the group's previous high with "Cherry Bomb", which landed at number forty-seven in 2017, it also became the group's first top-thirty entry and their best charting performance to date. "Kick It" also landed atop the Gaon Download Chart for two weeks, becoming the group's first chart-topper and by far one of the few male idol songs in 2020 to spend more than one week atop the aforementioned chart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gaon Weekly Download Chart - Week 10, 2020|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=10&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|last=|first=|date=|website=gaonchart.co.kr|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gaon Weekly Download Chart - Week 11, 2020|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|last=|first=|date=|website=gaonchart.co.kr|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> It later appeared as the 36th best chart-performing single on the March issue of Gaon Monthly Digital Chart, and eventually landed as the 131th biggest hit on the 2020 mid-year issue Gaon Digital Chart.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Gaon Monthly Digital Chart - March 2020|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=month|last=|first=|date=|website=gaonchart.co.kr|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=2020년 상반기 Digital Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=year&hitYear=2020&year_time=1|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-17|website=gaonchart.co.kr}}</ref> On the [[Kpop Hot 100|''Billboard'' Kpop Hot 100]], the song became the group's first top-ten entry for the week of March 14, reaching a peak of number nine following a massive 46-spot jump from last week.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-k-pop-100/2020-03-14|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
"Kick It" saw an improvement in chart performance compared to the group's previous releases, debuting and peaking within the top five of all digital real-time music charts in South Korea and reaching number one position on [[Bugs! (streaming service)|Bugs]] and Naver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/03/06/2020030602931.html|title=NCT 127 '영웅', 공개하자마자 벅스·네이버 1위...멜론 예측도 '정상' 예감 [美친차트]|last=Yeon|first=Hwi-seon|date=March 6, 2020|website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|language=ko|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522182116/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/03/06/2020030602931.html|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020030710174165706|title=NCT 127, 중독성 강한 '영웅'..글로벌 차트 1위|last=Han|first=Seon-han|date=March 7, 2020|website=StarNews|language=ko|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522182025/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2020030710174165706|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> With one day of tracking, the song debuted at number 68 on [[Gaon Digital Chart]] in the week of March 7, 2020, before peaking at number 21 the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=10&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|title=2020년 10주차 Digital Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224646/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T|archive-date=November 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gaon Chart-2020">{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|title=2020년 11주차 Digital Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107162258/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|archive-date=January 7, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> It became the group's first top-thirty entry on the chart. "Kick It" also landed atop the Gaon Download Chart for two weeks, becoming the group's first to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=10&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|title=2020년 10주차 Download Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113102730/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=10&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|archive-date=January 13, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|title=2020년 11주차 Download Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113102705/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=11&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week|archive-date=January 13, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The song ranked at number 36 on the monthly Gaon Digital Chart for March and at number 131 in the 2020 mid-year issue.<ref name="Gaon Chart-2021">{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=month|title=2021년 09월 Digital Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409193455/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=month|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=year&hitYear=2020&year_time=1|title=2020년 상반기 Digital Chart|website=[[Gaon Chart]]|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114164601/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=year&hitYear=2020&year_time=1|archive-date=January 14, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> On the [[K-pop Hot 100]], the song became the group's first top-ten entry, reaching a peak of number nine, following 46-spot jump from the week prior.<ref name="K-Pop 100">{{Cite web|title=Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-k-pop-100/2020-03-14|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=June 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612081430/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-k-pop-100/2020-03-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Elsewhere, the song debuted at number three on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' World Digital Song, making it their eighth top-five entry and their third to debut and peak at the same position, following "Cherry Bomb" (2017) and "[[Superhuman (NCT 127 song)|Superhuman]]" (2019).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=World Digital Song Sales Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2020-03-21|website=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> It also became their fourth appearance on the ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Japan Hot 100|Japan Hot 100]] and third on the New Zealand's [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|Hot 40 Singles Chart]], peaking at number eighty-four and number thirty-eight, respectively.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100 {{!}} Charts|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=03&day=16|website=Billboard JAPAN|language=ja|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/|website=THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
Elsewhere, the song debuted at number three on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' World Digital Songs chart, NCT 127's eighth top-five entry and third to debut and peak at the same position, following "Cherry Bomb" (2017) and "[[Superhuman (NCT 127 song)|Superhuman]]" (2019).<ref name="World Digital Song Sales">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2020-03-21|title=World Digital Song Sales Chart|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327104347/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2020-03-21|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It also became their fourth appearance on the ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Japan Hot 100|Japan Hot 100]] and third on the New Zealand's [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|Hot 40 Singles Chart]], peaking at number eighty-four and number thirty-eight, respectively.<ref name="Japan Hot 100">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=03&day=16|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315000043/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=03&day=16|archive-date=March 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Official NZ Music Chart">{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/|title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|website=The Official NZ Music Chart|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223085716/https://nztop40.co.nz/|archive-date=February 23, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Remixes ==
== Remixes ==
With the [[SM Entertainment#Subsidiaries|subsidiary EDM label ScreaM Records]] announcing their ''iScreaM'' project on May 4, 2020, remixes for "Kick It" were released on May 8, 2020. It was the first single of the project, containing three different remixes from American [[Disc jockey|DJ]] [[Valentino Khan]], MINIMONSTER and label-producer [[SM Entertainment artists#Studio artists|Hitchhiker]], the latter whom produced the album track "Mad Dog" for their second studio album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SM, 리믹스 음원 프로젝트 ‘iScreaM’…NCT127 ‘영웅’ 재탄생|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000273468|website=entertain.naver.com|language=ko|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>
With the EDM label [[ScreaM Records]] announcing their ''iScreaM'' project on May 4, 2020, remixes for "Kick It" were released on May 8, 2020. It was the first single of the project, containing three different remixes by American [[Disc jockey|DJ]] [[Valentino Khan]], Minimonster and labelmate [[SM Entertainment artists#Studio artists|Hitchhiker]] (who also helped produce the track "Mad Dog" on ''Neo Zone'').<ref>{{cite web|title=SM, 리믹스 음원 프로젝트 'iScreaM'…NCT127 '영웅' 재탄생|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000273468|last=Lee|first=Min-ji|date=May 4, 2020|website=Newsen|language=ko|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522182056/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000273468|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Formats and track listing ==
== Formats and track listing ==
{{col-begin}}{{Col-2}}
{{col-begin}}{{Col-2}}
; iScreaM Vol. 1, Kick It (Remixes) - Single<ref>{{Cite web|title=iScreaM Vol. 1: Kick It (Remixes) - Single|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/1511478913?app=itunes&cId=PR&ign-itscg=30440&ign-itsct=catchall_p4&ign-mpt=uo=4&lId=21784365&sr=4&src=Linkfire|last=|first=|date=|website=AppleMusic|language=en-gb|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref>
; iScreaM Vol. 1, Kick It (Remixes) - Single<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/vn/album/1511478913?app=itunes&cId=PR&ign-itscg=30440&ign-itsct=catchall_p4&ign-mpt=uo=4&lId=21784365&sr=4&src=Linkfire|title=iScreaM Vol. 1: Kick It (Remixes) - Single|website=[[Apple Music]]|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522182043/https://music.apple.com/vn/album/1511478913?app=itunes&cId=PR&ign-itscg=30440&ign-itsct=catchall_p4&ign-mpt=uo%3D4&lId=21784365&sr=4&src=Linkfire|archive-date=May 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
# "Kick It" <small>(Valentino Khan Remix)</small> – 3:09
# "Kick It" <small>(Valentino Khan Remix)</small> – 3:09
# "Kick It" <small>(MINIMONSTER Remix)</small> – 3:47
# "Kick It" <small>(MINIMONSTER Remix)</small> – 3:47
# "Kick It" <small>(Hitchhiker Remix)</small> – 3:10{{col-end}}
# "Kick It" <small>(Hitchhiker Remix)</small> – 3:10
{{col-end}}

== Credits and personnel ==
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Kick It'' and ''Punch''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=[[Neo Zone]]|others=NCT 127|year=2020|at=Credits|type=photobook|publisher=SM Entertainment, Dreamus|location=South Korea}}</ref><ref name=":song personnel">{{cite AV media notes|title=[[Neo Zone: The Final Round]]|others=NCT 127|year=2020|at=Credits|type=photobook|publisher=SM Entertainment, Dreamus|location=South Korea}}</ref>

'''Studio'''
* SM Booming System – [[audio recording|recording]], [[digital editing]], engineered for mix
* Golden Bell Tree Sound – recording
* SM LVYIN Studio – digital editing, engineered for mix
* doobdoob Studio – digital editing
* SM Blue Ocean Studio – [[audio mixing|mixing]]
* 821 Sound – [[audio mastering|mastering]]

'''Personnel'''
{{div col}}
* [[SM Entertainment]] – [[executive producer]]
* [[Lee Soo-man]] – [[record producer|producer]]
* [[Lee Sung-soo]] – production director
* Kim Young-min – executive supervisor
* Nam So-young – executive supervisor
* [[NCT 127]] – vocals
** [[Moon Tae-il|Taeil]] – background vocals
** [[Doyoung (singer)|Doyoung]] – background vocals
** [[Haechan]] – background vocals
* Wutan – lyrics
* danke (Lalala Studio) – lyrics
* Rick Bridges – lyrics
* [[Dem Jointz|Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr.]] – [[musical composition|composition]], [[arrangement]]
* Deez – composition, arrangement, vocal directing
* Mayila Jones – composition
* Rodnae "Chikk" Bell – composition
* [[Ryan S. Jhun]] – composition
* [[Yoo Young-jin]] – composition, arrangement, vocal directing, background vocals, recording, digital editing, engineered for mix, music and sound supervisor
* Kim Kwang-min – recording
* Lee Ji-hong – digital editing, engineered for mix
* Jang Woo-young – digital editing
* Kim Cheol-sun – mixing
* Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
{{div col end}}


== Charts ==
== Charts ==
Line 71: Line 143:
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" |Chart (2020)
! scope="col" |Chart (2020)
! scope="col" |Peak
! scope="col" |Peak<br />position
position
|-
|-
! scope="row" |Japan (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Japan Hot 100]])<ref name=":3" />
! scope="row" |Japan ([[Japan Hot 100]])<ref name="Japan Hot 100" />
|align="center"|84
|align="center"|84
|-
|-
! scope="row" |New Zealand ([[Official New Zealand Music Chart|Hot 40 Singles]])<ref name=":4" />
! scope="row" |New Zealand Hot Singles ([[Official New Zealand Music Chart|RMNZ]])<ref name="The Official NZ Music Chart" />
|align="center"|38
|align="center"|38
|-
|-
! scope="row" |Singapore (RIAS Regional)<ref>{{Cite web|title=RIAS Top Charts – RIAS|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323065637/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|date=2020-03-23|website=web.archive.org|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
! scope="row" |Singapore (RIAS Regional)<ref>{{Cite web|title=RIAS Top Charts – RIAS|url=https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323065637/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2020|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|16
|align="center"|16
|-
|-
! scope="row" |South Korea ([[Gaon Singles Chart|Gaon Digital Chart]])<ref name=":0" />
! scope="row" |South Korea ([[Gaon Digital Chart|Gaon]])<ref name="Gaon Chart-2020" />
|align="center"|21
|align="center"|21
|-
|-
! scope="row" |South Korea (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Kpop Hot 100|K-Pop Hot 100]])<ref name=":1" />
! scope="row" |South Korea ([[K-pop Hot 100]])<ref name="K-Pop 100" />
|align="center"|9
|align="center"|9
|-
|-
! scope="row" |US World Digital Song (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'')<ref name=":2" />
! scope="row" |US [[World Digital Song Sales]] (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'')<ref name="World Digital Song Sales" />
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|3
|-
|}
|}


=== Monthly chart ===
=== Monthly chart ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Chart (2020)
! scope="col" |Chart (2020)
! scope="col" |Peak
! scope="col" |Peak<br>position
position
|-
|-
! scope="row" |South Korea ([[Gaon Singles Chart|Gaon Digital Chart]])<ref name=":5" />
! scope="row" |South Korea (Gaon)<ref name="Gaon Chart-2021" />
| align="center" |36
| align="center" |36
|}
|}


== Accolades ==
== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{| class="wikitable"
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=NCT 127|title=Kick It|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|access-date=July 4, 2024}}
|+Music program awards
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
!Program
!Date
|-
|''[[Music Bank (TV series)|Music Bank]]'' ([[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]])
|March 27, 2020
|}


== Release history ==
== Release history ==
Line 120: Line 184:
!Format
!Format
!Label
!Label
|-
|South Korea
| rowspan="2" |March 6, 2020
| rowspan="2" |[[Music download|Digital download]], [[Streaming media|streaming]]
|[[SM Entertainment]], [[Genie Music|Dreamus]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |Various
| rowspan="2" |Various
| March 6, 2020
|SM Entertainment, [[Caroline Distribution|Caroline]]
| rowspan="2" |{{hlist|[[Music download|Digital download]]|[[Streaming media|streaming]]}}
| [[SM Entertainment|SM]]
|-
|-
|May 8, 2020
| May 8, 2020
| {{hlist|SM|ScreaM}}
|Digital [[Remix|remixes]]
|SM Entertainment, ScreaM Records
|}
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of Music Bank Chart winners (2020)|List of ''Music Bank'' Chart winners (2020)]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
<references group="" responsive="1"></references><br />

{{NCT 127}}


{{NCT (band)}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:2020 songs]]
[[Category:2020 songs]]
[[Category:2020 singles]]
[[Category:NCT 127 songs]]
[[Category:NCT 127 songs]]
[[Category:NCT (band) songs]]
[[Category:SM Entertainment singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ryan S. Jhun]]
[[Category:Songs written by Dem Jointz]]
[[Category:Songs written by Yoo Young-jin]]
[[Category:South Korean hip-hop songs]]
[[Category:South Korean contemporary R&B songs]]

Latest revision as of 22:55, 13 December 2024

"Kick It"
The remix single cover artwork for Kick It, released through the iScreaM project by SM Entertainment and Scream Records.
iScream remix cover
Single by NCT 127
from the album Neo Zone
Language
ReleasedMarch 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)
Recorded2019–2020
Studio
  • SM Booming System (Seoul)
  • Golden Bell Tree Sound (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:53
Label
  • SM
  • Scream
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Wutan
  • Rick Bridges
  • danke (lalala Studio)
NCT 127 singles chronology
"Highway to Heaven"
(2019)
"Kick It"
(2020)
"Punch"
(2020)
NCT singles chronology
"Love Talk"
(2019)
"Kick It"
(2020)
"Ridin'"
(2020)
Music video
"영웅 (英雄; Kick It)" on YouTube

"Kick It" (Korean영웅; Hanja英雄; RRYeong-ung; lit. Hero) is a song recorded by South Korean boy band NCT 127. It was written by Wutan, Rick Bridges and Danke of Lalala Studio, composed by Dem Jointz, Deez, Mayila Jones, Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, Ryan S. Jhun and Yoo Young-jin, and arranged by Jointz, Deez and Yoo. Described as a "high-energy" song with "inspirational lyrics" that portrays the group's musical identity, it was released as the lead single from their second studio album Neo Zone on March 6, 2020 by SM Entertainment. An accompanying martial arts-themed music video premiered two days prior.

Music critics noted the song's "darkness" and "anthemic" return, in contrast to their previous singles, and believed it contributed to the group's musical diversity. Commercially, the song became NCT 127's first top-thirty entry on Gaon Digital Chart, as well as their first top-ten entry on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, peaking at number nine. It also entered at number three on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart and became the group's second entry on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart. NCT 127 promoted the song on several South Korean music programs in addition to their online concert via Beyond Live, titled Beyond the Origin.

Background and release

[edit]

After wrapping up promotional activities in the United States by the end of November 2019, SM Entertainment uploaded a music video for "Dreams Come True", along with the release announcement for Neo Zone on January 27, 2020.[1] The label further confirmed that member Jungwoo would return to the group following his hiatus since August 2019.[2] On February 12, a "timeline" video for the album was posted on the group's social media accounts, including a release schedule and confirmation of the title of the lead single as "영웅 / 英雄 (Kick It)".[3] Following video previews of other album tracks, the music video teaser for "Kick It" was uploaded on the official SM Town channel on March 3, 2020.[4][5] The full video premiered one day later and was released digitally alongside the rest of Neo Zone on March 6, 2020.[5][6]

Composition

[edit]

Writing and development

[edit]

"Kick It" was composed by American producer Dem Jointz, South Korean songwriter Deez, Ryan S. Jhun, Mayila Jones and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, with Yoo Young-jin contributing to co-composition and arrangement. The song marked the second time that Dem Jointz, Deez and Yoo wrote together for the boy group since "Cherry Bomb" in June 2017. In an interview with music critic Kim Young-dae in March 2020, Deez stated that "Kick It" was originally prepared to "gird the loins" for "Cherry Bomb 2.0", opining that the outcome ended up being "stronger" than the 2017 single. He further revealed that the production team had to "revise and multiply" the song many times from end of December 2019 to early February 2020. Dem Jointz created the song's beat loop, and Deez focused on the R&B arrangement, having constructed the bridge and dance break sections with the goal of "maintaining" the "harmonic vocal color" and "extensively energetic" chord work to bring out a "trendy and old-school" feel to the song. Members Taeyong and Mark mostly rapped their respective parts in one-takes to their preferences, and the qualified cuts were arranged later.[7]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Musically, SM Entertainment described the song as a "powerful" hip-hop dance record with heavy metal guitar riff and R&B elements throughout,[8] while Tamar Herman of Billboard called the track "high-energy" with industrial beats, throbbing bass, whistling synths and chanting shouts.[9] The song is composed in the key of F# minor and set in common time at a moderate tempo of 167 beats per minute.[10] Excerpts of the song, including the harmonization and main riff, were also incorporated into the initially-unreleased instrumental prelude of Neo Zone.[7]

Lyrically, the song sees the members overcome their own "fears and traumas."[11] The group also compares themselves to Bruce Lee when onstage, mentioning him in chantings such as "Bass kicks swingin' like Bruce Lee" and referring to Jeet Kune Do and his film Enter the Dragon.[12] The song was penned by Wutan, Rick Bridges and Lalala Studio writing team member Danke.[13]

Music video

[edit]

Directed by South Korean director Oui Kim, the music video for "Kick It" has a martial arts theme.[14] Set in the "Neo Oriental" mood virtual space of "Neo Zone", the video tells the story of overcoming trauma, while seeing the members reborn as powerful "heroes", living up to the song's original Korean title.[15] The martial arts, action movie-influenced choreography was created by choreographer Koosung Jung, who revealed that member Taeyong also contributed some of the "action scenes" to the overall performance.[16] Three other versions were made available on the NCT 127's Youtube channel, including a visualiser version on March 8, vertical version on March 16 and choreography-only performance video on March 19.

Promotion

[edit]

Following the music video release, the group shared their first performance for "Kick It" as NCT 127 The Stage through their official channel on March 5.[6] One day later, the group had their first music show performance on Music Bank, followed by promotions on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo.[17] NCT 127 eventually earned their first Music Bank trophy for the track on March 27, 2020.[18] Along with other album tracks, "Kick It" was part of the group's setlist for Beyond the Origin, an online live concert via streaming service Beyond Live on May 17, 2020.[19]

As part of the group's promotions in the United States, the song was first performed on March 10 at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where NCT 127 became the very first K-pop act to perform at the event.[20][21] It was reported that the group would embark on their first U.S. arena tour, Neo City – The Awards, to promote the single and Neo Zone album starting from June 6 at New York City's Madison Square Garden; the tour was subsequently postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.[22][23][24]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[25]

Following its initial release, "Kick It" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Giving the song three stars out of five, writer Hwang Sun-eob of IZM noted the song was "going too hard", but complimented its "level of balance" with both the rapping and singing performance of the group.[25] Tamar Herman of Billboard magazine called the track "high-energy",[9] while Jeff Benjamin of Forbes praised the noise-pop influence of the song as "impactful", and noted its R&B influence that "set the stage" for Neo Zone.[26]

Another review from SoundDigest called the track "rambunctious", while writer Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum from Consequences of Sound noted the song's metal influence and the "darkness, anthemic" return to some of their early releases.[27][28] Writer Vandana Pawa of Teen Vogue gave the song a positive review, citing "Kick It" as a representation of both the group's sonic origin and development in the near future.[29] In an interview with the song's producer Deez, music critic Kim Young-dae said the song was a "masterpiece" that continued the legacy of "Cherry Bomb," while not being "as complicated" as the 2017 single. He also praised the song as "dynamic" and "more airtight and dense" with "thick texture and soulful verse of sophisticated harmony."[7]

Accolades

[edit]

"Kick It" received one music show award on the March 27, 2020, broadcast of Music Bank. It was nominated for Best Dance Performance – Male Group at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards.[30] Publications who ranked the song among the best K-pop songs of 2020 include JoyNews24 (5th),[31] Sanook (10th),[32] Tonplein (11th),[33] Paper (20th), and Time (unranked).[34]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Kick It" saw an improvement in chart performance compared to the group's previous releases, debuting and peaking within the top five of all digital real-time music charts in South Korea and reaching number one position on Bugs and Naver.[35][36] With one day of tracking, the song debuted at number 68 on Gaon Digital Chart in the week of March 7, 2020, before peaking at number 21 the following week.[37][38] It became the group's first top-thirty entry on the chart. "Kick It" also landed atop the Gaon Download Chart for two weeks, becoming the group's first to do so.[39][40] The song ranked at number 36 on the monthly Gaon Digital Chart for March and at number 131 in the 2020 mid-year issue.[41][42] On the K-pop Hot 100, the song became the group's first top-ten entry, reaching a peak of number nine, following 46-spot jump from the week prior.[43]

Elsewhere, the song debuted at number three on the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart, NCT 127's eighth top-five entry and third to debut and peak at the same position, following "Cherry Bomb" (2017) and "Superhuman" (2019).[44] It also became their fourth appearance on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and third on the New Zealand's Hot 40 Singles Chart, peaking at number eighty-four and number thirty-eight, respectively.[45][46]

Remixes

[edit]

With the EDM label ScreaM Records announcing their iScreaM project on May 4, 2020, remixes for "Kick It" were released on May 8, 2020. It was the first single of the project, containing three different remixes by American DJ Valentino Khan, Minimonster and labelmate Hitchhiker (who also helped produce the track "Mad Dog" on Neo Zone).[47]

Formats and track listing

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Kick It and Punch.[49][50]

Studio

  • SM Booming System – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix
  • Golden Bell Tree Sound – recording
  • SM LVYIN Studio – digital editing, engineered for mix
  • doobdoob Studio – digital editing
  • SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing
  • 821 Sound – mastering

Personnel

  • SM Entertainmentexecutive producer
  • Lee Soo-manproducer
  • Lee Sung-soo – production director
  • Kim Young-min – executive supervisor
  • Nam So-young – executive supervisor
  • NCT 127 – vocals
  • Wutan – lyrics
  • danke (Lalala Studio) – lyrics
  • Rick Bridges – lyrics
  • Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr.composition, arrangement
  • Deez – composition, arrangement, vocal directing
  • Mayila Jones – composition
  • Rodnae "Chikk" Bell – composition
  • Ryan S. Jhun – composition
  • Yoo Young-jin – composition, arrangement, vocal directing, background vocals, recording, digital editing, engineered for mix, music and sound supervisor
  • Kim Kwang-min – recording
  • Lee Ji-hong – digital editing, engineered for mix
  • Jang Woo-young – digital editing
  • Kim Cheol-sun – mixing
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Weekly chart

[edit]
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[45] 84
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[46] 38
Singapore (RIAS Regional)[51] 16
South Korea (Gaon)[38] 21
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)[43] 9
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[44] 3

Monthly chart

[edit]
Chart (2020) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[41] 36

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[52] Gold 20,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label
Various March 6, 2020 SM
May 8, 2020
  • SM
  • ScreaM

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Baek, Ji-eun (January 27, 2020). "[공식] NCT127, 3월 6일 정규 2집 컴백…기프트송 스페셜 영상 공개". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Gong, Mi-na (November 18, 2021). "NCT 127 정우, 12월 팬미팅 불참 "내년쯤 활동 합류"(공식)". StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "NCT 127 'Neo Zone' LP Teasers: See Them". Billboard. February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Herman, Tamar (February 19, 2020). "NCT 127 Are Dropping Mini Music Videos for B-Sides Ahead of Upcoming 'Neo Zone' LP". Billboard (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Cho, Yoon-seon (March 4, 2020). "'컴백' NCT 127, '영웅' MV 오늘(4일)밤 12시 선공개…극강 매력 기대↑". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Ko, Seung-ah (February 27, 2020). "NCT 127, '영웅'이 온다…'더 스테이지'서 무대 최초 공개". News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Kim, Youngdae (March 29, 2020). "NCT 127의 작곡가 디즈(DEEZ)와의 인터뷰". Medium. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
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  36. ^ Han, Seon-han (March 7, 2020). "NCT 127, 중독성 강한 '영웅'..글로벌 차트 1위". StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
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