"Universe (Let's Play Ball)" is a song recorded by South Korean boy group NCT U, the first unit of NCT under the management of SM Entertainment. The song was served as the lead single of NCT's third studio album Universe, and it was released on December 10, 2021, four days prior to the release of the album.
Composition and lyrics "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" was composed by Carlos Battey, Wayne Hector, Breyan Isaac, Alexandru Cotoi, Marcel Botezan, Dem Jointz, Ryan S. Jhun and Kenzie, with the arrangement held by Issac, Cotoi, Botezan, Jointz and Kenzie. It was recorded at two SM Entertainment's recording studios, SM Yellow Tail Studio and SM SSAM Studio, and was produced by Dem Jointz and Kenzie, SM's long-time frequent collaborators. The song was composed in the key of F minor, with a tempo of 180 beats per minute.
Described as an EDM hip-hop song with catchy hook, clattering percussion, the lyrics were written by Kenzie and NCT U's member Mark.
Music video The music video, which was directed by Hong Jae-hwan and Beomjin, was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on December 10. It features scenes of NCT U's members "challenging each other to a game of baseball, alongside shots of the group performing choreography".
Accolades +Music program awards for "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" Program Date (3 total) Music Bank December 24, 2021 December 31, 2022 January 7, 2022
Credits Credits adapted from album's liner notes.
Studio SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, digital editing SM SSAM Studio – recording Sound Pool Studio – digital editing SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel
SM Entertainment – executive producer Lee Soo-man – producer Lee Sung-soo – production director, executive supervisor Tak Young-jun – executive supervisor NCT U – vocals Mark – lyrics Kenzie – producer, lyrics, composition, arrangement Dem Jointz – producer, composition, arrangement Breyan Isaac – composition, arrangement Alexandru Cotoi – composition, arrangement Marcel Botezan – composition, arrangement Carlos Battey – composition Wayne Hector – composition Ryan S. Jhun – composition Junny – background vocals Yoo Young-jin – background vocals, music and sound supervisor GDLO – vocal directing Noh Min-ji – recording, digital editing Kang Eun-ji – recording Jung Ho-jin – digital editing Kim Cheol-sun – mixing Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts Chart (2021) Peakposition Global Excl. US (Billboard) 146 scope="row" South Korea (Gaon) 86 South Korea (K-Pop Hot 100) 96 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 14
Release history + Release dates and formats for Universe (Let's Play Ball) Region Date Format Label(s) Various December 10, 2021 SM Entertainment South Korea CD
References