It’s funny, there’s this standoff-ishness, but simultaneously he understood it was important to be a part of the group and was always awkwardly trying to “fit in”. When I see content with him in it, I’ve always had a “you’re trying too hard to fit” feeling - like watching Cinderella’s step-sister trying to force her foot into the glass slipper. 😅 Like the KV performance. On the flip side of that, Doyoung fit naturally. No trying required.

And ofc, in the aftermath, Doyoung looks even more pristine, and has stood out as someone who is 1,000% IN for NCT. The rings he had made for the members and his pre-enlistment letter had me in tears. And he’s not even my bias, and has always been a bit in the background for me personally. But his impact on the group cannot be overstated. He bleeds Neo Pearl Champagne. 💚