NCT’s Mark debuts as solo artist with ‘The Firstfruit’

WHO can juggle three teams but still come up with the best solo album? That is Mark Lee of the K-pop boy group NCT.

On Monday, the 25-year-old Canadian rapper finally dropped his long-awaited debut full-length album, “The Firstfruit,” which drew inspiration from the four cities that witnessed his journey to be the multi-talented artist he is known today: Toronto, New York, Vancouver, and Seoul.

“The Firstfruit” featured 13 tracks, including the previous releases “+82 Pressin’” featuring Mark’s fellow NCT member Haechan, “Fraktsiya” featuring rapper Lee Young Ji, and “200.”

The album began with “Toronto’s Window” and “1999,” with Mark taking listeners to Toronto where he was born in 1999. 

The “hypest boy” then brought them to New York City with “Flight to NYC” and spat bars about representing two teams in “Righteous.” For non-NCTzens, Mark is part of NCT sub-units NCT U, NCT 127, and NCT Dream.

From New York City, Mark took the listeners back to Canada, particularly in Vancouver, with heartfelt tracks “Raincouver,” “Loser,” and “Watching TV (featuring Crush).”

The NCT’s main rapper traveled to the album’s last stop—Seoul, South Korea, where he trained for years as a K-pop idol. 

His Seoul journey in “The Firstfruit” began with “+82 Pressin’,” where Mark exuded confidence as a Seoul-based artist along with Haechan, whom he trained with under the South Korean label, SM Entertainment. 

This was followed by newly released tracks “Journey Mercies” and “Too Much.”

What makes the album more special is “Mom’s Interlude,” which highlights Mark’s warm conversation with his mom while she is playing piano. In the English translation of their conversation, Mark’s mom said she has nothing to worry about his son, who can now make his own decisions.

“The Firstfruit” became available on music streaming platforms on April 7, along with the release of “1999’s” music video.

Mark’s travel guide

Mark’s creativity shone through his first full-length album, leaving several fans speechless and blown away.

The rapper dropped all 13 tracks on NCT’s YouTube channel, with each track serving as a travel guideline to listeners as they explore his world through “The Firstfruit.”

Here are Mark’s travel tips for his journey from Toronto to stardom:

• Keep your valuable belongings safe (from “Toronto’s Window”)
• Please sit in your assigned seat number (from “1999”)
• Sit back, chill, and enjoy the flight (from “Flight to NYC”)
• Find your private spot (from “Righteous”)
• Let the music bring back your journey (from “Fraktsiya)
• Always take an umbrella, whatever the weather (from “Raincouver”)
• Watch a movie to pass time on long flights (from “Loser”)
• Be with friends! Every moment becomes a great memory! (from “Watching TV”)
• Meet a friend at the destination (from “+82 Pressin’”)
• Choose your in-flight meal in advance (from “200”)
• Can’t Sleep? Try Lo-Fi music (from “Journey Mercies”)
• Remember those who think of you (from “Mom’s Interlude”)
• Say thank you often (from “Too Much”)

On Monday, Mark hosted “‘The Firstfruit’ Showcase Live” where he answered a few questions from fans and performed songs from his debut solo album like “Raincouver,” “Righteous,” and “1999.”