NCT Taeyong’s Treatment Of The SM Rookies Has Fans Convinced That They Will Debut In Upcoming Unit NCT Tokyo

NCT‘s Taeyong is receiving lots of praise for his treatment of the SM Rookies at SMTOWN LIVE 2022, which is leading to speculation over whether they will debut as NCT Tokyo or not.

SM Rookies’ Shohei, Eunseok, Seunghan | *@smrookies/Twitter*

At the SMTOWN LIVE concert in Korea, Taeyong went viral for getting “angry.” According to fans who were there, he had been frustrated to find out that the SM Rookies, Shoehei, Eunseok, and Seunghan, were not being allowed to join the “Hope” stage, which all SM Entertainment artists were singing together.

a korean op said that taeyong was asking sungchan why the sm rookies didn’t come out (during hope stage, where all artists come out) 🥺 our very caring leader 🥺!!!!!pic.twitter.com/ruqHwnp7Sc

— 아무 ♡ (@jyongwu) August 22, 2022

He was even seen looking for them afterward, gaining praise for being so thoughtful. NCTzens were sure that he was going to make a major complaint to SM Entertainment.

you can see taeyong immediately went to look around for the rookies after talking to sungchan. i just know he’s gonna complain to sm after this and then hopefully we’ll get to see all 3 of them during hope stage in tokyo pic.twitter.com/2qJ8AJILRz

— carms🍬 (@NE0HYUCKS) August 22, 2022

Luckily, the SM Rookies were allowed to join the artists during the “Hope” encore in the Tokyo concert…

the rookies came out for hope encore! look at sungchan smiling at shohei pic.twitter.com/xOKw6tDlG1

— JSC (@jscposts) August 28, 2022

…which fans took to mean that Taeyong had made himself be heard. After all, he was seen paying plenty of attention to them throughout the three-day concert—much like a caring leader!

shohei was walking behind them so taeyong slowed down to walk with him and he also put his arm on his shoulder 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/NMtLtkWBTR

— rookies shohei (@rookieshohei) August 28, 2022

TAEYONG GAVE THE MIC TO THE ROOKIES SO THEY CAN SPEAK 🥹🥹🥹

— trishy 🌙 (@mysekushiboo) August 29, 2022

And it wasn’t just Taeyong. The rookies already seem to be assimilating into NCT as various members “adopt” them, including Yuta and Kun, as well as Sungchan and Shotaro, who performed together with them.

SM Rookies’ Shohei and NCT’s Yuta | *@yuu_taa_1026/Instagram*

96 liners again😭😭😭#SHOHEI #KUN #SMROOKIES #NCT #WayV pic.twitter.com/V773QZKr4I

— SHOHEI PICS (@shoheipicsss) August 30, 2022

220830 🦌💭 pic.twitter.com/5zcQneaIrD

— JSC (@jscposts) August 29, 2022

The rookies have also reportedly been hanging out with Jungwoo and Doyoung.

Seems like Jungwoo were going with Sungchan, Doyoung, Shotaro and SM Rookies Shohei to Tsurutontan in Roppongi together to eat! https://t.co/O46m1bq0oB

— Dyva🌸 (@captainuwu) August 30, 2022

But of course, Taeyong definitely appears to have been the most solicitous member. When he took pictures of them onstage it was hard not to see him as the “Mom”!

taeyong taking pictures of sungtaro and smrookies 🥺💚 pic.twitter.com/iQmGpahSPq

— tricia♡ (@jwooshiluvr) August 29, 2022

the photo vs. the photographer pic.twitter.com/cm7uNTeWfn

— shohei pics (@shoheipicss) August 29, 2022

And then again as he and Doyoung guided them offstage…

taeyong guiding sm rookies and doyoung asking them to go out stage together 🥺 mother and father of nct taking care of sm rookies 😭💚 pic.twitter.com/dwrYYwbHEe

— ً (@chickwenuggets) August 28, 2022

TAEYONG WITH SM ROOKIES 😍😍😍🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/thUur1DLyF

— ara🖤 (@4everchandoy) August 28, 2022

After such a warm welcome for the SM Rookies, fans have been praising and thanking Taeyong for his attentive treatment of them. And because of his attention, it’s hard not to believe that the SM Rookies will debut in NCT.

sm new rookies are definitely new neos, the way taeyong taking care of the rookies and they already friends with other members esp.shotaro and sungchan.

— ㅈ (@derymiIk) August 29, 2022

Taeyong making sure the smrookies belong!! they are neos i'm telling yall pic.twitter.com/tnjLrdjG9f

— ja✨ (@NCT20RESONANCE) August 28, 2022

Taeyong taking care of the sm rookies…. THEY ARE DEFINITELY NEOS YOU CAN'T TELL ME THEY'RE NOT pic.twitter.com/IaKGsffOfN

— Yoshi Yoshi툥¹²⁷💅〖2BADDIES〗 (@Pinapollayuna) August 28, 2022

While this remains unconfirmed, it is not the first time the NCT members lead fans to believe that the SM Rookies will debut in NCT. Read further about it right here!