Capitol Music Group (CMG) & Caroline, their independent distribution and label services division has signed a global agreement with K-Pop phenomenon NCT 127 through Seoul, Korea-based SM Entertainment Co., Ltd., it was announced by CMG Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett and Caroline President Jacqueline Saturn. The agreement calls for Capitol Music Group/ Caroline to provide distribution and extensive marketing for most global territories.
NCT 127 will embark on its first North American tour on April 24 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, performing 11 shows through mid-May. The band will perform national television shows, as well as engage in additional promotion activities in New York and Los Angeles.
According to Steve Barnett, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Young-Min Kim (Group CEO of SM Group) and Nikki Semin Han (CEO of SM Entertainment) to further the phenomenon of NCT 127 around the world. The band’s potential for global success is virtually unlimited, and SM Entertainment is a powerhouse that we hope to be in business with for many years to come.”
Young-Min Kim added, “CMG and Caroline have been early believers in the global potential and influence of the group. We are very excited about the new partnership between SM and CMG/Caroline that is sure to generate more diverse and intensive marketing, and look forward to the journey ahead to bring NCT 127 to the world starting from the U.S., with their support.”
Jacqueline Saturn and Caroline Executive Vice President Matt Sawin added, “While the K-Pop explosion is one of the most exciting developments in pop music, we have long set our sights on NCT 127 in particular. The members are extremely talented and incredibly hard working, and SM Entertainment is a powerhouse that brings incredible resources, experience and know-how to the table. Everyone at Caroline is beyond excited about this partnership.”
NCT 127 is the acronym for ‘Neo Culture Technology’ and the number 127, which represents the longitudinal coordinate of Seoul, Korea, the home of K-Pop. NCT 127 announced their arrival in July 2016 with the mega-hit “Fire Truck”, sweeping rookie-of-the-year awards that year. Other hits like “Cherry Bomb” and “Regular” showcased their trendy music and stand-out performances, winning the hearts of fans all over the world. Their U.S. debut album charted at No. 86 on the ‘Billboard 200’ Chart, and claimed No. 1 on iTunes Album Charts in over 22 regions around the world. In October, the band was tapped by Apple Music as the Up_Next artist of the month, the first-ever K-Pop act to earn that coveted title. NCT 127 made their U.S. TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live with “Regular", their all-English hit song, made a red carpet appearance at the 2018 American Music Awards, and was the fastest male K-Pop act to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales Chart with their latest single “Simon Says”, proving their rapid rise as worldwide superstars.
