Two weeks that changed the shape of NCT WISH’s Japanese schedule: a first appearance on the country’s longest-running music show, a first headline variety programme of their own, and — a fortnight later — a stadium slot in Spain.
Here’s what has been confirmed, with dates, times and the source for each.
In this article:
– Music Station debut, 28 August
– First headline variety special, 5 September
– Music Bank in Barcelona, 12 September
– Everything else on the calendar
– FAQ
Music Station debut — 28 August
NCT WISH appeared on TV Asahi’s Music Station for the first time on Friday 28 August 2026, in the 21:00–21:54 JST live broadcast. They performed “BOY MEETS GIRL.”
Music Station has run weekly since 1986 and remains the reference point for mainstream music-television exposure in Japan. A first appearance is generally treated as a threshold rather than a routine booking.
The same broadcast carried =LOVE, King & Prince and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, among others.
“BOY MEETS GIRL” is one of two title tracks from the group’s Japanese double A-side single “YO-I-DON! / BOY MEETS GIRL,” released in July 2026. The song is a remake of the 1994 TRF single of the same name.
First headline variety special — 5 September
TV Asahi will broadcast “NCT WISH no Houkago Grand Prix” on Friday 5 September 2026 at 00:00 JST. It is the group’s first headline variety programme on Japanese terrestrial television.
The format splits the six members into three pairs — Sion and Ryo, Yushi and Sakuya, Riku and Jaehee — who compete across games and activities associated with Japan’s Heisei era. The winning pair receives a dessert prize themed to the same period. The broadcast also includes an original performance.
Two things worth noting about availability:
- The terrestrial broadcast is Kanto-region only.
- TELASA will carry additional footage after the broadcast, including unaired scenes and a separate performance not included in the television edit.
Music Bank in Barcelona — 12 September
NCT WISH are on the bill for Music Bank in Barcelona on Saturday 12 September 2026, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. The show starts at 20:00 local time.
The announced lineup also includes ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, NMIXX, xikers, CORTIS and ALPHA DRIVE ONE, with Park Bo-gum as MC. It is Music Bank‘s first Barcelona edition and its first full open-air stadium production in Europe.
Everything else on the calendar
Two further dates are confirmed:
- 31 August 2026, 19:00 JST — TBS’s CDTV Live! Live!, a two-hour live broadcast. NCT WISH perform a full-length remake of TRF’s “BOY MEETS GIRL.”
- 23 November 2026 — the 15th Anniversary TV Asahi Dream Festival 2026 at K Arena Yokohama, doors 13:30, start 15:00 JST. The 23 November bill also lists ME:I, MAZZEL, izna, ALPHA DRIVE ONE and Monaki. The official advance ballot opens 31 August at 12:00 JST.
SM Entertainment referred to a new NCT WISH mini album for the fourth quarter of 2026 in its second-quarter earnings briefing. No release date has been announced, and until one is, the timing should be treated as unconfirmed.
A running list of confirmed dates and announcements, each linked to its source, is kept on the NCT WISH schedule and news timeline.
FAQ
When did NCT WISH first appear on Music Station?
Friday 28 August 2026, on the 21:00–21:54 JST live broadcast, performing “BOY MEETS GIRL.” It was their first appearance on the programme.
What is “NCT WISH no Houkago Grand Prix”?
It is NCT WISH’s first headline variety special on Japanese terrestrial television, airing on TV Asahi on 5 September 2026 at 00:00 JST. The six members compete in pairs across Heisei-era games, with an original performance included. TELASA carries additional unaired footage afterwards.
Can I watch the variety special outside the Kanto region?
The terrestrial broadcast is Kanto-only. Additional content is distributed through TELASA after the broadcast; availability outside Japan depends on that platform’s own regional rules.
Where and when is Music Bank in Barcelona?
Saturday 12 September 2026 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, starting at 20:00 local time. NCT WISH appear alongside ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, NMIXX, xikers, CORTIS and ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
Has NCT WISH announced a comeback for 2026?
Not a dated one. SM Entertainment referred to a fourth-quarter 2026 mini album in its second-quarter earnings briefing, but no release date, title or concept has been announced.
Sources
– NCT Official Japan — Music Station appearance announcement: https://nct-jp.net/news/detail.php?id=1135261
– TV LIFE — Music Station 28 August lineup: https://www.tvlife.jp/music/811860
– Model Press — “NCT WISH no Houkago Grand Prix” announcement: https://mdpr.jp/k-enta/detail/4826809
– JOYSOUND Music News — variety special details: https://news.joysound.com/article/684619
– Estadi Olímpic Barcelona — Music Bank Barcelona event page: https://estadiolimpic.barcelona/en/music-bank-barcelona
– &ASIAN — Music Bank Barcelona lineup: https://andasian.com/music-bank-to-bring-major-k-pop-line-up-to-barcelona-this-september/
– Oricon — CDTV Live! Live! 31 August: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2474447/
– NCT Official Japan — TV Asahi Dream Festival 2026: https://nct-jp.net/en/news/
– TV Asahi Dream Festival official site: https://dreamfestival.jp/
