Wishful
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Wishful is the debut studio album by boy band NCT Wish, the Japan-based unit of boy group NCT. It was released digitally on November 27, 2024, followed by a physical release in Japan on December 25, through SM Entertainment and Avex Trax. Comprising thirteen tracks, the album is led by the single "Wishful Winter", and includes tracks from the group's previously released maxi singles – "Hands Up", "Wish" and "Songbird".
Background and release
On October 8, 2024, it was announced through NCT's Japanese website that NCT Wish will be releasing their first Japanese studio album Wishful on December 25. The album will include their six previously released Japanese tracks in addition to seven new songs, including the full version of "NASA", which was originally released in shortened form in a January 2024 performance video.
Wishful was released to digital download and streaming services on November 27, 2024, along with the album's title track, "Wishful Winter", and its accompanying music video.
Composition
The album's title track, "Wishful Winter" is described as a pop ballad with arpeggio piano, strings, and harmonies "reminiscent of bells". The song's lyrics reflect on the band "granting wishes on Christmas."
Promotion
The band promoted the album with the "Log In" Asia tour. The tour began on November 3 in Ishikawa, continuing to several other cities in Japan throughout November and December. In 2025, the tour visited Seoul and other regions of Asia.
To commemorate the release of Wishful, a limited-time Christmas-themed collaboration project event was held between November 30 and December 25 at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. The event consisted of a limited time shopping campaign with exclusive novelty items, the mall was adorned throughout the whole event to celebrate the release of the album. A Christmas tree was also placed as part of the event. On December 23, a release event named "NCT WISH WISHFUL Christmas party in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza ~Wishescome true~" took place in the shopping mall. The event attracted 5,000 fans. Riku, who had been on a health hiatus since October 2024 was absent from the event.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wishful Winter" | D&H (Purple Night)Soorin | Lee Joo-hyoungKyle WongMayu Wakisaka | Lee | 3:08 |
| 2. | "Wish" | KenzieJeanjinn JaneToyosaki | DressKenzieHeon SeoJaneGeorge GershwinIra Gershwin | KenzieDress | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Songbird" | Toyosaki | Honey Noise (The Hub)Brown Panda (The Hub)Jacob Aaron (The Hub)Frankie Day (The Hub) | Honey NoiseBrown Panda | 3:01 |
| 4. | "Far Away" | Yuki Fujiwara | Tim TanDaniel RoughleyWilliam Segerdahl153/Joombas | TanRoughley | 3:04 |
| 5. | "We Go!" | Meg.Me | Simon JanlövDaniel Caesar | Janlöv | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Touchdown" | KenzieAdrian McKinnonJop PangemananAkta | KenzieMcKinnonPangemananLudvig Evers (Moonshine)Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine) | MoonshineKenzie | 3:12 |
| 7. | "Hands Up" | KenzieH. Toyosaki | KenzieEversGusmarkMcKinnon | Moonshine | 3:14 |
| 8. | "Sail Away" | Meg.Me | Cazzi OpeiaEmily Yeonseo KimSonny J Mason | Mason | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Choo Choo" | Takahishi Shiho | Alexander KarlssonAlexej ViktorovitchJohn Mars | ViktorovitchMars | 3:34 |
| 10. | "NASA" | D&H | Greg BonnickHayden ChapmanJeremy "Tay" JasperJustin StarlingYoung ChanceShorelle | LDN Noise | 3:03 |
| 11. | "P.O.V" | Meg.Me | Jake K. (Artiffect)Hyun | Jake K. | 3:01 |
| 12. | "Tears Are Falling" | Irodori Kaoru | Christopher Lund NissenNicklas SahlJeppe London BlisbyRick Bridges | Blisby | 3:05 |
| 13. | "Our Adventures" | Mahiro | SqvareAvenue 52Nild | Nild | 2:52 |
| Total length: | 40:51 |
Notes
- "Wish" contains sampled elements from "Love Is Here To Say" (1980), as written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and performed by The Singers Unlimited.
Charts
| Chart (2024–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Wishful Chart (2024–2025) Peak position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 2 Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) 2 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 4 | Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for Wishful Chart (2024) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 6 Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for Wishful Chart (2025) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 56 Japanese Top Albums Sales (Billboard Japan) 51 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 2 |
| Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) | 2 |
| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) | 4 |
| Chart (2024) | Position |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 6 |
| Chart (2025) | Position |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 56 |
| Japanese Top Albums Sales (Billboard Japan) | 51 |