NCT Dream Renjun has always been adored for his charming qualities and expectation-defying abilities as the main vocalist and lead dancer of the sub-unit, but even more so for his compassion towards the members of the unit – Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung – all of whom he’s trained with since his young days. Now assuming roles as fellow members of the same group, all seven of them, nicknamed as 7Dream by the fans, form one of the biggest examples of the found-family trope in the Kpop industry.
On the occasion of the 2000 liner’s birthday, i.e. March 23, we’ve put together a list of Instagram posts that he has dedicated to his colleagues, who’ve now become his brothers. All of these, when put together, stand as a testament to the group’s bond and his part in keeping them together as the ‘glue’ for the group (so proclaimed by his teammates).
NCT Dream Renjun’s Instagram Posts That Prove His Love for His Unit Members (and Best Friends)
1. With His ‘Universe Mate’ Jisung
The caption says it all. Jisung is the maknae (youngest member) of the group, and everyone, including the members and fans, has a soft spot for him in their hearts. However, his bond with the birthday boy is extra special considering they’re the self-proclaimed ‘Universe Mates’. NCT Dream members often joke about how Jisung’s speculations about extraterrestrial beings and other things related to the universe go over their heads. Still, Renjun is the one member with whom he can share all his thoughts without inhibitions and the fear of being judged.
These discussions about the universe and outer space gave rise to their self-proclaimed title. Even during their interactions, it’s often observed how Renjun looks out for his younger brother and can barely hide his explosive emotions when talking about his cuteness. Jisung, on the other hand, looks up to him as an elder brother but also lightheartedly jokes about him, exuding a younger brother’s vibes, acknowledging his adorable side in turn.
All the pictures in the post are behind-the-scenes moments from their first Japanese single album’s Best Friend Evermusic video shoot. Jisung can be seen taking Renjun’s picture as mounds of plushies surround him that may or may not be as soft as their bond. The heart-hand and crying emojis in Renjun’s caption are exactly how we felt after looking at this heartwarming post. And both of them were child actors, so even before meeting each other, they still shared some common grounds unknowingly.
2. His Special Bond With Chenle
Since the early days of the group’s debut, Renjun has shared his Chinese roots with Chenle. The fellow Chinese members of the sub-unit often found comfort in each other’s company during the initial days when they tried their best to settle into a foreign setting, away from their home ground.
They’ve always empathised and had each other’s back, considering they know how it feels to be away from one’s family, which helped them find a family in each other. While all group members have helped them overcome that gap of communication, Chenle and Renjun’s bond has been special since day one, and their closeness with each other has only grown, which now makes room for playing pranks and joking around with each other.
3. Mark’s Special Appearance
All Dream members have been very vocal about how Renjun acts as the unit’s ‘glue’ and has played a huge role in keeping them together. However, Mark proudly spoke up countless times about how Renjun suggested they celebrate their life-long friendship and bond by wearing friendship rings.
While on the surface, this post may look like it’s all about Renjun, the last picture shows both of them playing with rubber ducks during the filming of the Best Friend Ever MV, a moment that may not seem to be a big deal, but again embodies their closeness in a profoundly unspoken way. Mark also celebrated Renjun’s debut on Instagram in June 2021 by giving his friend a shot out on his story.
4. Mark and Jeno’s Cameo
The outfit and the background are reminders of the group’s Winter Special Candy. The post is again swipe-worthy, as the last picture in the set is just as comical as it is endearing. Both the group’s leader, Mark (not in the picture, but his finger poking Renjun’s cheek is featured), and the captain, Jeno, make their special cameos.
5. ‘7’
Captured during the Dream exhibit ‘Dream Vibe’ in 2022, the pictures in the post below turn back the clock and take us back to the rookie days of NCT Dream. The first picture catches the mirror reflections of Renjun, Jisung and Jeno beside the poster of their debut single album’s (The First) cover art. During these promotions in 2017, Jaemin got injured and had to sit out this comeback era. As a result, only six members continued to promote their album.
However, as Renjun’s caption states, the group’s always been 7 and will always be 7. Not only did the members surpass the excruciating period of their supposed ‘Graduation’ concept, as per which each member was to leave the unit, but they also consolidated their roles in the team upon the group’s rebranding, which announced NCT Dream as a fixed unit in 2020.
The second photo has the members looking over at a board full of all their songs to date, while the third one again has Renjun snapping a mirror selfie with Chenle. The last one shows Renjun caught in an Alice in Wonderland-like world where he looks shrunk and is seen doodling over an old baby picture of a fellow member, Haechan.
6. Beatbox Era
All Dreamzens (fans of the group) are well aware of the rush of emotions experienced whenever a new 7Dream comeback is announced. While the members and fans may have moved on from the fears of graduation, things get sentimental each time a 7Dream album is announced, reminding everyone of what they’ve been through. Those bittersweet thoughts take a back seat and are instantly replaced by happy memories when moments like these are captured.
Beatbox was the group’s second repackaged album that again served as a huge reminder of how far the members have come (especially since their average age at their debut was 15.6 years). While this post is old, it’s become an even happier milestone since the group recently released their English version of the title track. The remaining pictures in the post capture the fun-filled recollections of the Beatbox era that again illustrate how comfortable the members feel with each other.
7. His Love-Hate Friendship With Haechan
If you’ve been a fan of this group for a long time, then Renjun and Haechan’s chaotic friendship needs no introduction. These calm and steady snaps feel hilariously out of place, considering the two are never calm in each other’s company and always have the other running for the hills. While seeing them in this gentlemanly avatar was a swoon-worthy moment for their fans, it doesn’t even come close to truly portraying their dynamic and fiery friendship in its true element. But again, seeing that Haechan finally made it to Renjun’s Instagram, fans needed a minute to calm down.
8. Universe Mates Strike Again
For those who didn’t recognise this smiley-faced platinum hair, it’s Jisung- the other half of the ‘Universe Mates’ team. Jisung sported this hairdo during their second studio album, Glitch Mode‘s promotions.
9. Crediting Jaemin
While Jaemin may not actually be in the frame, he was the one who clicked these snaps in the first place. Renjun did his bit by crediting the photographer by tagging him in the caption (and teaching us a lesson for the countless times people get their best friends to snap pictures but barely accord them with camera credits).
10. Halloween Selfie With Besties
Entertainment’s annual Halloween party is a much-awaited event, and some NCT Dream members took this task more seriously than others. When in 2021, the members graced the red carpet for the party, Chenle had undergone the most fearsome transformations of all as he cosplayed the horror film-inspired character of the Nun. He was unrecognisable until he started speaking, which is when everyone put two and two together.
Squid Game has also recently come out at this time on Netflix, and Jeno and Jaemin took on the collaborative act of walking in as the show’s anonymous guards, which again felt like the continuation of the inside joke about how Jaemin once called himself Jeno at a concert. Charming and cute as ever, Renjun dressed up as Pinocchio and grabbed a selfie with the other two squad members (all assuming a spot on the extreme ends of the cosplaying spectrum) after the event as a treat for the fans.
Happy Birthday Huang Renjun!
Which of these Instagram shout-outs to his fellow members is your favourite among the rest? How long have you been a fan of the group? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also read: Happy Birthday ATEEZ Yunho: 7 Facts About the Handsome Kpop Idol We Need to Know