A Review of Mark Lee’s ‘The FirstFruit’ Album
Mark Lee’s iconic solo blends smooth rap, captivating falsettos, and a visually striking journey through time and self-expression.
Words Graziella Mateo
Photos courtesy of SM Entertainment
April 29, 2025
“World listen to me”—all ears on NCT Mark Lee!
What makes him iconic? Aside from juggling three units—NCT Dream, NCT U, and NCT 127—he is also a member of the supergroup SuperM, which features top idols from various SM groups: Baekhyun of EXO, Taemin of SHINee, Kai of EXO, and Taeyong and Ten of NCT.
On March 19, 2025, SM Entertainment pre-released +82 Pressin’ featuring NCT's Haechan, just a month after Mark made his solo debut with his first full-length album The FirstFruit, which dropped on April 7, 2025, with "1999" as its title track.
Talking about unique aesthetic
This era is truly full of exciting and unique concepts! In addition to a traditional photobook, he also released a Juice Box version, which includes a magnet, folding paper, six stickers, a QR card, and a photo card—offering fans a fun and interactive experience.
Travelin’ back in 1999!
His fresh charm, groovy moves, and seamless shifts between rap and falsetto perfectly match the upbeat pop vibe of his track—a true chef’s kiss from the instrumentals to the energy.
Beyond the song, the music video’s aesthetic is just as captivating. The child in the video symbolizes Mark’s past, born in 1999, while the time traveler concept mirrors his journey in the entertainment industry.
From his fashion to the retro cinematography with bluish-orange color grading and grainy effects, Mark takes us back to 1999. CGI elements like the modified finger, UFO, bear, and flying hockey puck add a futuristic touch.
In the final moments, different versions of Mark appear: 1999 VJ Mark, Time Traveler Mark, and Agent Mark from Fraktsiya, his December 2024 single featuring Lee Young Ji.
Mark isn’t just an idol—he’s a passionate artist, even while juggling three NCT sub-units.
NCT (Neo Culture Technology) is a multinational boy group with six sub-units: U, 127, Dream, DoJaeJung, Wish, and WayV (the Chinese sub-unit).
