Profile of WayV – NCT’s Outstanding yet Underrated Chinese Sub-Unit (2025 Updated)
WayV is a sub-unit of NCT based in China, which currently consists of 6 members after Lucas’ departure.
WayV’s Biography
- Group Name: WayV (威神V, WeiShen V)
- Debut Date: January 17, 2019
- Agencies: SM Entertainment, Label V
- Members: Kun, Ten, WinWin, XiaoJun, Hendery, and YangYang
- Former Member: Lucas
WayV’s Facts
The group name, WayV, is an acronym for “We are your Vision”, symbolizing that WayV will be the vision and dream that accompanies fans across all challenges. Meanwhile, the official fandom of WayV is called “WayZenNi” – a nod to the fandom name of NCT, which is “NCTzen”. Similar to the case of NCT, the official fandom color of WayV is Neo Pearl Champagne. Additionally, even though WayV is a fixed-member group, the member composition changes frequently.
WayV’s Net Worth
According to NetWorthSpot, the estimated net worth of WayV falls around 3.6 million USD. However, there are other sources that speculate this number to be closer to 5.1 million USD. It is important to note that the true earnings of WayV and its members are not publicly revealed, so the aforementioned numbers are mere speculations.
WayV’s SNS
Official Accounts
- Weibo: WayV
- Instagram: @WayVofficial
- X (Twitter): @WayV_official
- TikTok: @official_wayv
- YouTube: WayV
- Facebook: WayV
Members
- Kun: @kun11xd
- Ten: @tenlee_1001
- Winwin: @wwiinn_7
- Xiaojun: @djxiao_888
- Hendery: @i_m_hendery
- Yangyang: @yangyang_x2
- Lucas (Former): @lucas_xx444
WayV’s Career
Pre-Debut & Formation
Even before debut, WayV’s members were no strangers to the spotlight, with Ten starting as TNT on Thailand’s “Teen Superstar” in 2011, Xiaojun competing in Zhejiang TV’s “X-Fire” in 2015, and the rest of the members entering SM through a mix of global auditions and street casting from 2013 to 2018.
As SM Rookies, they honed their craft while appearing in various projects. Ten featured in “Exo 90:2014”, Kun sang the Chinese version of NCT U’s “Without You” and joined promotional stages, and Winwin was a dancer for NCT U’s “The 7th Sense.”
Debut & Growth
WayV debuted on January 17, 2019, under SM’s Chinese label Label V with the đigital EP “The Vision”, led by a Mandarin version of NCT 127’s “Regular.” The EP saw chart success, including a Billboard World Digital Songs top 10 placement. Their follow-up EP “Take Off” brought even more momentum, hitting No. 1 on iTunes in 30 regions and landing on Billboard World Albums.
Later that year, the group’s 2nd EP, “Take Over the Moon” continued their upward trajectory. “Moonwalk” became a standout title track, and WayV gained their first entries on Korea’s Gaon Chart and Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. Their English single “Love Talk” was a breakout moment, charting high globally.
Later on in 2020, WayV became the 2nd group from SM to hold a live online concert, joining the “Beyond LIVE” concert series. Their first full album “Awaken the World” arrived in June and became their first release to chart in Japan and earn top spots on Chinese and Korean charts. The tracks “Turn Back Time” and “Bad Alive” became fan favorites, with the latter’s English version earning Gold on QQ Music.
Later that year, WayV officially became part of NCT 2020, as Members Kun, Ten, Winwin, Lucas, Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang contributed to the 2-part album “NCT 2020 Resonance”, with “Nectar” receiving notable praise and chart performance.
Sub-Units, Solo Schedules & Changes
2021 saw the release of “Kick Back”, which became WayV’s first No. 1 album on the Gaon Chart. The group also contributed OSTs like “Everytime” for the Chinese drama “Falling Into Your Smile”.
Meanwhile, sub-units were introduced, as Kun & Xiaojun dropped the ballad “Back to You,” while Ten & Yangyang brought a hip-hop edge with “Low Low.” A third unit (Lucas & Hendery) was shelved due to controversy surrounding Lucas. At the same time, member Winwin established a personal studio in China.
The end of 2022 brought “Phantom”, an elegant EP marking WayV’s return as 6 members following Lucas’ hiatus. Despite delays, the group launched a global fanmeeting tour and re-established their presence with renewed energy. Later, WayV released the 2nd studio album** “On My Youth”** in November 2023, earning them another Platinum in South Korea. They also toured China with showcase stops in major cities.
In June 2024, the group returned with “Give Me That”, and for the first time, took home a music show win in Korea on SBS M’s “The Show”. Their Japanese debut, “The Highest”, followed in August, along with their first full concert tour “On the Way” starting in Nagoya.
Their latest EP “Frequency”, released in November 2024, once again showcased their multilingual prowess and global appeal. Although Winwin sat out due to other schedules, the rest of the group continued to push boundaries.
WayV’s Discography
Chinese
Studio albums
Awaken The World (2020)
On My Youth (2023)Mini albums
Take Off (2019)
Take Over the Moon (2019)
Kick Back (2021)
Phantom (2022)
Give Me That (2024)
Frequency (2024)
TBA (2025)Special albums
Take Over the Moon – Sequel (2020)Digital EPs
The Vision (2019)Remix singles
“iScreaM Vol.23 : Phantom Remixes” (2023)
“Phantom (Kun Remix)” (2023)OSTs
“Falling Into Your Smile OST” (“Everytime”) (2021)
English
- Digital singles
“Love Talk (English Version)” (2019)
“Bad Alive (English Ver.)” (2020)
Korean
Digital singles
“Turn Back Time (Korean Ver.)” (2020)
“High Five” (2024)Participation releases
SMTOWN – 2025 SMTOWN : The Culture, The Future (“Juliette”) (2025)
Japanese
Mini albums
The Highest (2024)Digital singles
“Welcome To My Paradise” (2023)
WayV’s Controversies
In 2021, former member Lucas became entangled in various personal life controversies. In particular, a person claiming to be a former lover of the male idol claimed that she paid for all the expenses while dating the male idol, that Lucas often coerced her into having sex during her periods, and that he dated various girls at the same time. Additionally, the ex-girlfriend alleged that Lucas would badmouth various other artists.
Following the accusations, Lucas published a handwritten apology letter on Instagram and went on hiatus. His status in NCT and WayV was left ambiguous for a long time, and it was not until 2023 that SM announced Lucas’ official departure from the two groups. He then debuted as a solo artist in 2024 while still remaining under SM.
