Hey, Lykkers! Buckle up for a behind-the-scenes look at NCT’s Doyoung’s journey from K-pop superstar to solo artist.

After an eventful year juggling group activities and stepping into the spotlight as a temporary main vocalist for Taeil, Doyoung is finally ready to step out on his own. Here’s everything you need to know about his upcoming solo debut, “Youth.”

A Year of Challenges and Growth

Doyoung’s past year was anything but easy. He had to juggle three NCT album releases, a world tour, and fill in for Taeil after his injury.

This whirlwind of activities led him to realize that he was ready to debut as a solo artist. “As a soloist, you have to perform without any mistakes,” he shared during a recent group interview. "After spending the past year honing skills, it became clear that the time had come to take this step."

The Quick and Exciting Journey to “Youth”

Things moved fast once he made up his mind. Just six months after deciding to go solo, Doyoung completed his full-length album, titled “Youth.” Scheduled for release on Monday at 6 p.m., he becomes the third NCT member to go solo, following Taeyong and Ten.

“This album represents youth,” he explains. “"Youth is defined by the memories of traveling the world for concerts with bandmates." These experiences shaped the music.

A Musical Exploration of Youth

Leading his 10-track album is the track “Little Light,” which blends a youthful, energetic band sound with Doyoung’s powerful yet delicate vocals."This might not be what you expected, but as someone who has always loved band music, it feels natural to share this side of myself," he says. Doyoung, who was in a band during high school, is excited to finally showcase the music he truly wants to create.

For the first time, Doyoung wrote the lyrics for two songs — “Beginning” and “From Little Wave” — and even co-composed “Beginning,” which serves as the album’s opener. “It’s about starting a new chapter of a career as a soloist,” he explains. “This time, we told the story honestly, and that’s why the company liked it.”

A Message of Happiness and Memories

The album’s message is simple yet profound: only happy memories will remain as people grow older. “The final track of the album reflects that — no matter what challenges we face now, we’ll look back with fondness on our youth,” Doyoung shares. “It’s about cherishing the present and creating memories that we’ll treasure forever.”

So, Lykkers, if you’ve been following Doyoung’s journey or are simply curious about his solo debut, “Youth” promises to be an introspective yet uplifting listen that captures the essence of growing up. Don’t miss it!