SM's neo-boy band 'NCT U' to launch this week

SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- S.M. Entertainment, the country's largest entertainment talent agency, will launch new K-pop boy band "NCT U" under a new idol management system this weekend, the company said on Monday.

S.M. Entertainment will debut two units of "NCT U" separately on April 9 and 10. Each unit will release an EP on the day of their debut.

The "NCT U" units are part of the multi-thronged band "NCT," or "Neo Culture Technology," the first project in S.M.'s new idol management system under the same name. NCT is close to a "brand" of boy bands, with its units based on major cities around the world.

The members of the two NCT units will be introduced in parts on NCT's website and multiple S.M.-run media channels.

The announcement comes after S.M.'s founder and chief executive Lee Soo-man in January revealed plans to create a neo-boy band system with unprecedented flexibility in locality and member selection.

"(NCT U) is our first boy band to debut in four years since EXO came out and the newest band after girl group Red Velvet. We hope the new band will be the big issue of 2016," S.M. Entertainment said in a press release.

jwc@yna.co.kr
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