“Fireflies” by NCT DREAM

The framework of NCT DREAM’s “Fireflies” is similar to other K-pop tracks which are beginning to attract a wider international audience. We have the singers sympathizing with an addressee who seems apprehensive about pursuing their dreams. But they are there is serve as a “beacon”, as in to motivate the addressee to take concrete action and to light the path for them to achieve success. And ultimately, in unison with the artist, the addressee is going to “light it up” and ‘sparkle brighter than the fireflies’.  On the surface, it reads like your basic inspirational track, particularly in regards to the singer and the addressee sharing an uplifting experience.

However, upon deeper analysis it can be seen that “Fireflies” has a romantic undertone. The singers specifically refer to the person they are singing to as “girl”. And the aforementioned light which they are emitting in unison with this individual is identified in the post-chorus of the song as “only love”. And considering other terminology used throughout, “Fireflies” can be interpreted as NCT Dream trying to convince the female addressee to embark on a romantic relationship, as in if she decides to date them, it will lead to a glorious experience. As such, terms present throughout which are related to the song’s title (i.e. words that lend to ‘illumination’) are there to assure her that their romance will indeed be an edifying union.

Notable Performance of “Fireflies”

NCT Dream performed this hit on 23 July 2019 at the Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia) in celebration of the 24^thWorld Scout Jamboree.

Release Date

“Fireflies” was released on 15 July 2019. And it serves as the official song of the World Scout Foundation. This is due to NCT concurrently serving as the inaugural global ambassadors of the World Scout Foundation.

 FYI, as of the beginning of 2019, the K-pop band NCT has 21 members. And six of them make an appearance on this song. They are:

• Chenle
• Haechan
• Jaemin
• Jeno
• Jisung
• Renjun