It seems that the frustration and anger of NCT 127 fans have been tipped over with a promotional email sent out on the morning of June 19.

On June 19 at 6 PM KST, NCT Dream released the pre-release track "Broken Melodies" from their upcoming 3rd full album, 'ISTJ'. 

And on the morning of June 19 EST, many fans who previously signed up for promotional emails from a separate NCT unit, NCT 127, received an email notifying them of impending NCT Dream's comeback.

For some netizens, it would seem that promotional emails for NCT Dream from NCT 127's official news providers wouldn't be a big deal, seeing as both units are technically under the umbrella of NCT. 

However, for fans, this was not the first time that SM Entertainment "pretended" like NCT 127 was not a separate unit with its own brand, but merely a unit under NCT. 

Earlier in March of this year's NCT 127 Japan's TikTok account was changed into NCT Japan's official TikTok account without prior notice to fans, thereby "erasing" NCT 127's Japanese TikTok content and combining it into NCT Japan's broader promotion umbrella. 

Furthermore, fans were even more angered and frustrated by the fact that NCT 127's North American promoters made no attempt to deliver news of DOJAEJUNG's unit album or Taeyong's solo album, adding to the suspicions that the promotional emails were intended to bring in new fans for NCT Dream by using NCT 127's established fan base.

Not to mention, while SM Entertainment's new management has repeatedly assured fans of comebacks in 2023 for NCT Dream and NCT, the agency has continued to ignore fans' inquiries about a comeback for NCT 127 this year, aside from the team's repackaged album released in January. Many believe that with NCT 127 members expected to begin their mandatory military service duties later this year, SM Entertainment has shifted its focus entirely toward promoting NCT Dream, "abandoning" the "older group" NCT 127.

Some netizens commented in response, "127 and Dream are different groups! Stop roping them together just for convenience!", "Do they just expect fans to transition from one unit to another without asking questions?? What poor management", "What is this, a thrift store?? This is rude to both 127 and Dream fans! Give 127 a comeback and give Dream proper promotions in the U.S!", "If this is all under the umbrella of NCT, then you should have promoted DOJAEJUNG and Taeyong like you meant it... now everyone's mad", "127 fans and Dream fans want to get along, but it's the company that creates unnecessary friction between them!", "SM worst fan management company ever", etc.