NCT WISH Releases Festive Practice Video Ahead of 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon, Highlighting K-Pop's Seasonal Momentum

In a moment that blends holiday cheer with high-stakes performance preparation, NCT WISH released a dance practice video of their energetic cover of TWICE’s hit “TT” on December 25, 2025. Filmed in a festive practice room adorned with a Christmas tree and seasonal decorations, the clip captures the group executing the iconic choreography with precision, charisma, and a palpable sense of anticipation for the year-end SBS Gayo Daejeon. The release underscores how holiday content can serve as both entertainment and strategic branding in the fast-moving world of K-pop, where fan engagement and media visibility often rise in tandem with year-end performances.

Historical context and the evolving K-pop practice video culture Dance practice videos have long been a staple in the global K-pop ecosystem. They offer fans an intimate look at a group’s precision, stamina, and teamwork beyond the glitz of music videos and stage performances. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, practice clips began to function as a bridge between fans and idols, democratizing access to behind-the-scenes process and fostering a shared sense of progress. Over the years, production quality has grown substantially, with choreographers carefully choreographing for camera angles, lighting, and floor patterns to maximize audience impact on digital platforms. NCT WISH’s holiday edition sits within this broader tradition, repurposing a beloved pop hit—TWICE’s “TT”—into a vehicle for showcasing technical skill while inviting viewers into a moment of seasonal celebration.

Strategic significance for year-end milestones The SBS Gayo Daejeon remains one of South Korea’s most watched year-end music festivals, drawing a diverse audience that includes casual fans, dedicated followers, and international viewers. For groups like NCT WISH, a strong performance at the festival can translate into sustained visibility into the new year, potentially influencing touring opportunities, brand partnerships, and media coverage. The decision to time a cover of a well-known track with a festive aesthetic is particularly savvy in a year when digital engagement peaks during the holiday season. The practice video thus serves multiple functions: it Deepens fan connection through a relatable, celebratory setting; it signals readiness for a high-profile stage; and it amplifies the group’s broader strategy of staying culturally relevant through thoughtful reinterpretations of established classics.

Economic impact of seasonal releases and cross-promotional potential From an economic perspective, holiday-themed content can yield incremental value for entertainment brands. Short-form clips that capitalize on familiar melodies—like “TT”—tend to perform well in social feeds, driving impressions, shares, and dwell time. This heightened engagement can indirectly support downstream revenue streams, including streaming numbers, merchandise sales, and sponsorship discussions around year-end events. For agencies and entertainment firms, these clips offer a low-cost, high-returns marketing asset that aligns with consumer sentiment during the festive season. In regional terms, the promotional ripple effects often extend beyond the home market, as international fans engage with content in multiple languages and through various platforms, reinforcing the global reach of K-pop and its ability to convert online interest into live-viewing and participation in fan-driven activities.

Regional comparisons and market dynamics K-pop’s year-end performance strategy varies by region, but several common threads emerge in market analyses. In East Asia, where live performances and televised music festivals are central to artist visibility, festival appearances are closely watched by fans and industry stakeholders alike. In North America and Europe, audiences increasingly discover K-pop through social media highlights and short-form videos, placing a premium on visually striking, easily shareable content such as holiday dance practice clips. The inclusion of a Christmas-themed setting in NCT WISH’s video resonates across these regions, offering a narrative hook that aligns with global holiday traditions while maintaining the track’s original tempo and energy. The cross-cultural appeal of a well-known track, reinterpreted with contemporary choreography, helps sustain momentum against a crowded festival lineup and a crowded release schedule.

Choreography and performance analysis TWICE’s “TT” is renowned for its highly synchronized chorus and signature hand movements, which have made it a favorite choice for dance covers. NCT WISH’s interpretation in a practice room setting highlights the group’s strengths: clean formations, precise timing, and expressive performance energy. The festive backdrop—complete with twinkling lights and a decorated tree—adds a layer of warmth and personality, making the clip more than a routine rehearsal. Viewers can observe technical aspects such as footwork cadence, line density, and the seamless integration of complex transitions into the chorus sections. The choice to perform a cover rather than an original track also signals the group’s confidence in their ability to reinterpret established material while maintaining the core spirit of the original.

Public reaction and fan engagement Initial fan reactions to the release have been favorable, with many praising the group’s synchronization and stage-ready presence in a non-traditional rehearsal environment. Fans often treat such clips as previews for anticipated festival moments, analyzing the choreography frame-by-frame and speculating on setlists, wardrobe, and stage design. The festive setting encourages broader sharing across family-friendly platforms, potentially expanding the audience to listeners who may not be regular K-pop viewers but enjoy holiday-themed entertainment. Social media metrics for holiday releases typically show spikes in engagement around the first 24 to 72 hours after release, followed by sustained interest as the festival promos approach.

Cultural significance and the role of holiday content in music promotion Holiday content, including dance practice videos set against seasonal backdrops, plays a meaningful role in contemporary music marketing. It humanizes artists by situating them in everyday, relatable environments while preserving the aspirational aura of live performance. For K-pop groups, the fusion of a globally recognized song with a festive aesthetic enables cross-generational appeal—older fans recall the original version, while younger audiences discover it through the cover and the accompanying video’s visual storytelling. This approach also invites collaboration and remix opportunities, as other groups and producers may reinterpret the same material for different markets, further extending the lifecycle of a song far beyond its initial release window.

Technical production notes and behind-the-scenes insights A high-quality practice video requires careful planning, even when the content is ostensibly casual. Lighting designers often adjust rigs to flatter the performers and to create depth on screen, while camera operators select angles that maximize the perceived complexity of the choreography. In a festive setting, production teams must balance seasonal decor with practical considerations—sound acoustics, floor grip, and space for dynamic moves—ensuring safety and performance integrity. The decision to shoot on December 25 signals a deliberate alignment with holiday timing, leveraging the mood of the season to maximize audience resonance. For industry observers, these details illustrate how production choices influence viewer perception and the overall impact of a performance clip.

Long-term trajectory and implications for NCT WISH As NCT WISH integrates holiday programming into its broader release calendar, the group may leverage the momentum to bolster upcoming releases, international showcases, and festival appearances. The ability to blend familiar material with fresh staging demonstrates adaptability—a valuable trait in an era where streaming metrics, social engagement, and live performance opportunities are tightly interlinked. If the group continues to roll out seasonal content that aligns with major festival moments, it could cultivate a distinctive identity that resonates across markets while preserving artistic flexibility in an increasingly crowded musical landscape.

Comparative industry trends The trend of releasing holiday-themed practice footage is not unique to NCT WISH. Several contemporary acts have experimented with seasonal content as a way to connect with fans during a time of heightened attention to entertainment consumption. This approach often yields tangible benefits in terms of media pickup, fan-generated content, and cross-platform visibility. In markets where streaming services dominate consumption, such clips can serve as a strategic touchpoint, guiding audiences toward official music videos, concert tickets, and exclusive merchandise. The success of such campaigns depends on a combination of performance quality, narrative appeal, and the ability to translate online engagement into real-world participation at events and on platforms where advertisers and sponsors seek measurable impact.

Conclusion NCT WISH’s December 25, 2025, dance practice video—featuring a festive take on TWICE’s “TT” in a holiday-themed rehearsal room—exemplifies how seasonal content can play a strategic role in the broader lifecycle of K-pop releases. The clip blends technical prowess with celebratory atmosphere, reinforcing the group’s readiness for the SBS Gayo Daejeon while tapping into the public’s seasonal mood. As the year draws to a close, such content not only entertains but also reinforces the interconnectedness of fan culture, media strategies, and regional market dynamics that define contemporary pop music on a global stage. Fans and analysts will likely watch closely how NCT WISH translates this momentum into future performances, collaborations, and releases in the months ahead.