MARK from the group NCT is making his debut as a solo artist.
MARK's first solo album, 'The Firstfruit,' will be released on April 7 at 6 PM on various music platforms, with the music video for the title track '1999' also premiering on YouTube's SMTOWN channel.
The album features 13 tracks themed around four cities significant to MARK's life: his hometown Toronto, his first move to New York, his school days in Vancouver, and his artistic journey in Seoul. This cinematic journey through MARK's life offers listeners a deeper understanding of him.
The title track '1999' is a pop song with a lively atmosphere, featuring grand orchestration, funky guitar sounds, brass sections, and whistling. It symbolizes the joy of releasing his first solo album, akin to reliving the year he was born, 1999, and expresses his ambition to be an artist who defines the end of the century.
MARK will also hold a showcase for 'The Firstfruit' at 8 PM today at the Seongsu Cultural Arts Center FB Theater, where he will perform '1999' for the first time and share stories about the album. The event will be live-streamed on NCT's YouTube and TikTok channels, allowing fans worldwide to celebrate his solo debut.
MARK shared his thoughts on his first solo album 'The Firstfruit' through a Q&A session, offering genuine insights.
Q. How do you feel about releasing your first solo album?
A. I'm thrilled. Sharing an album I truly love with everyone who knows and supports me brings immense joy and happiness.
Q. Can you introduce your first solo album 'The Firstfruit'?
A. It's an album based on my life, where I've poured everything into it. It captures my creative energy and honest emotions deeply, with my autobiographical stories woven throughout. If you want to know more about me as a person and an artist, you should definitely listen to 'The Firstfruit.'
Q. The album's structure, with each city as a chapter, is intriguing. Why did you choose this format?
A. I thought a lot about how to effectively tell my story. After several meetings with the A&R team, we came up with the idea of having four bookmarks in the album. Looking back at my life, I realized I've lived in four key cities. Using each city as a chapter seemed like a dramatic way to convey my narrative.
Q. Since the album is personal, you must have paid attention to many details during production. What was particularly memorable?
A. I focused a lot on the lyrics. I believe lyrics are crucial in defining a song's character and color. As I carefully crafted each song's message, the album's overall direction and identity naturally became clear.
Q. The title track '1999' seems to represent you perfectly. Why did you choose it as the title track, and what should listeners pay attention to?
A. The main reason for choosing '1999' as the title track was the lyrics. The unexpected musical genre was intriguing, but I was sure the lyrics fit the autobiographical theme of the album best. The lyrics creatively express my ambitions and the concept of 1999, so pay close attention to them. The performance is also a highlight, with musical elements at the start and unique choreography that builds up towards the end. I hope you enjoy the stage as well.
Q. The 12th track, 'Mom's Interlude,' features your mother's piano playing and a conversation between you two. How did this collaboration come about?
A. My mother has probably been the most influential person in my life. She majored in piano and still advises me on piano, chords, and sheet music. Naturally, I thought it would be great to include a track with her playing in this autobiographical album. Including a track with my mother in my first solo album turned out to be a much more meaningful and precious experience than I anticipated.
Q. Like the album title 'The Firstfruit,' what do you hope to achieve with this album?
A. I wanted to deliver music that feels genuine. I hope this album provides listeners with a moment to pause and offers some comfort and energy in navigating today's world.
Q. Did you discover anything new about yourself while preparing for your solo album?
A. Preparing this album made me genuinely appreciate myself and the life I've led. It was a special time for me, filled with emotions I might not have realized otherwise.
Q. You made several efforts to introduce the album, like wearing a T-shirt with the promotion schedule at the airport and hosting listening parties. What inspired these new promotional methods?
A. I wanted to do more than just share music; I wanted to convey my story sincerely. Since it's an autobiographical album, I wanted to create many opportunities to share my story directly with fans. These thoughts led to new promotional methods, and many people's ideas and support helped achieve the current result. I'm truly grateful to everyone who contributed their energy and ideas.
Q. Do you have a message for the fans who have been waiting for your solo album?
A. Thank you so much for waiting. I'm genuinely grateful for sharing this meaningful 'first' with me. I hope NCTzens feel as happy listening to my album as I do, and I look forward to creating many happy memories together during this promotion. Let's nurture this first fruit together!
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)