NCT 127 – Favorite (Vampire) (Audio, Lyrics, Video)

Watch the music video for NCT 127’s “Favorite (Vampire)” song produced by KENZIE & Rodney Jerkins. Listen, stream, read the lyrics, mp3 download.

Nct 127 Favorite

Just weeks after NCT 127’s Sticker unleashed screechy flute on an unsuspecting K-pop industry, the group has returned with repackage track Favorite. The description for this one promised ample use of a whistle, which elicited ample eye rolls from me. It seems that SM is developing a tradition of releasing decent title tracks only to throw some irritating sample over the top. But, Favorite also comes courtesy of dream team Kenzie and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. It’s like we’ve landed back in 2006!

As with most NCT tracks, Favorite frustrates me. It feels quite uneven, with a standout chorus being undercut by boring verses. I wish the group would explore more energetic titles again. Sticker was intentionally minimalist, but Favorite is more of a mixed bag. The verses take a generic hip-hop beat and throw that spiraling whistle over every moment. I find the sample incredibly distracting. Even if the general sound is nice and atmospheric, it’s pitched at a level that grates. And without a fuller arrangement, there’s not much else to focus on.

Here’s where the chorus comes in to set things right. NCT 127 finally take advantage of their strong vocals, offering a towering blend that recalls past glories like 2017’s Limitless. The first half of this refrain is very satisfying, cresting with unexpected majesty as their voices ascend. In comparison, the second half feels undercooked and repetitive. But, I guess it offers needed tension. Then, we’re back to the verses, which don’t really go anywhere. And while the music video shoehorns in a dynamic dance break, the audio version segues right into a sleek bridge. The final repetition of the chorus comes bolstered with a dramatic drum line, adding oomph to the climax. I much prefer Favorite to Sticker, but I’m still waiting for the group to return to the consistent quality of their pre-2020 work.

NCT 127 – Favorite (Vampire) (prod. KENZIE & Rodney Jerkins)

Watch Video

Lyrics

[엔시티 127 “Favorite (Vampire)” 가사]

[Intro: Doyoung, Mark, Jaehyun]
Oh yeah, yeah (Ah)
Ah yeah, ah yeah
Ah, darlin’, darlin’
You’re my favorite, girl
Oh yeah (Shee)

[Verse 1: Taeyong, Johnny, Doyoung, Mark, *Jungwoo*]
열병같이 다가와 날 멸망 시켜
Ain’t afraid at all
내 세계 산산이 부서져
너를 탐하게 되고
Uh, 불장난이라 해 (*Quit that*)
가시를 가졌네 (*Hands down*)
파편이 돼 버린 crown (*Take that*)
그 순결한 독 난 깨물었고 들이마셔

[Pre-Chorus: Jaehyun, Haechan]
널 사랑함은 불완전함 위태로움
비틀거리고 증오 속에 미쳐도

[Chorus: All, Haechan]
사랑해 또 사랑해
더 지독하게 아프고 싶어
이 운명 속에
거친 눈빛 존재 전부
Girl, you’re my favorite
눈물 쏟고 무너지고
열기 속에 입 맞추면
폭풍처럼 you’re my favorite
후회 없이, baby

[Verse 2: Mark, Yuta, Johnny, Taeyong, *Jaehyun*]
까만 밤 when you coming with a storm
삼켜 버릴 듯 와봐
Just watching you never satisfy my soul
넌 아직 나를 몰라
Uh, 장미는 붉은데 (*See that*)
여리진 않았네 (*Hands down*)
심장은 조각난 걸 (*Take that*)
이 파국의 밤 널 원한 대가 받아들여

[Pre-Chorus: Jungwoo, Taeil]
어떻게 너를 바라지 않을 수 있어?
My heart when you touch
전율로 몸부림쳐

[Chorus: All, Doyoung]
사랑해 또 사랑해
더 지독하게 아프고 싶어
이 운명 속에
거친 눈빛 존재 전부
Girl, you’re my favorite
눈물 쏟고 무너지고
열기 속에 입 맞추면
폭풍처럼 you’re my favorite
후회 없이, baby

[Bridge: Doyoung, Haechan, Johnny, Taeil]
더 뜨거워져도 돼, 천국을 가져온 너
You’ll always be my favorite (Ooh, no)
Girl, you know that you got me
I can’t even lie, 내가 제일 좋아한 (No)
You’ll always be my favorite

[Chorus: All, Taeil]
사랑해 또 사랑해 (Yeah)
더 지독하게 아프고 싶어
이 운명 속에
거친 눈빛 존재 전부
Girl, you’re my favorite
눈물 쏟고 무너지고 (Ooh, babe)
열기 속에 입 맞추면
폭풍처럼 you’re my favorite
(You are my favorite, you are my favorite)

[Outro: Jaehyun, Haechan, Doyoung]
Favorite
(Your love, your love)
You are, you are, you are
You’re my favorite
사랑해, 사랑해, my