K-pop star Mark from NCT has made history with his debut solo album, The Firstfruit. Released on April 7, 2025, the album sold an astonishing number of copies in its first week, setting a new benchmark for SM Entertainment solo artists. This achievement highlights Mark’s global popularity and the excitement surrounding his solo journey.
A Record-Breaking Debut
Mark’s solo album The Firstfruit hit the shelves on April 7, 2025, with its title track 1999. According to Hanteo Chart, the album sold 544,470 copies from April 7 to April 13. This number marks the highest first-week sales for any solo debut album in SM Entertainment’s history on Hanteo.
No other SM Entertainment solo artist has crossed the 500,000 sales mark in their debut week before. Mark’s milestone shows his strong fanbase and the anticipation built around his solo work.
“Mark’s achievement is a huge moment for both him and his fans. It shows how much love and support he has worldwide.” – Industry observer
The album’s success didn’t stop at sales. The Firstfruit topped iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 14 countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Poland, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It also reached number one on QQ Music’s digital album sales chart in China and AWA’s real-time rising chart in Japan.
The Journey Behind The Firstfruit
The Firstfruit is a deeply personal project for Mark. The album features 13 tracks, inspired by four cities that shaped his life: Toronto, New York, Vancouver, and Seoul. Each city represents a chapter of his journey, from his childhood to his rise as a global K-pop star.
The title track, 1999, is a lively pop song with funky guitar sounds, brass sections, and whistling. It reflects Mark’s joy at releasing his first solo album, connecting to the year of his birth. Other tracks include pre-releases like 200, Fraktsiya featuring Lee Young Ji, and +82 Pressin’ featuring Haechan.
“This is an album that I poured my entire self into, based on my life.” – Mark
Mark shared that creating the album helped him discover more about himself. He worked closely with producers like Code Kunst and Dress to craft a unique sound. The opening track, Toronto’s Window, sets an emotional tone, while songs like Righteous and Raincouver showcase his confidence and reflection.
A special moment on the album is Mom’s Interlude, a recorded conversation between Mark and his mother. In it, he expresses pride in the album’s message and gratitude for his journey.
“I’m really happy to be able to play this album that I love to everyone who knows me.” – Mark
Global Impact and Fan Reactions
Fans, known as NCTzens, celebrated Mark’s achievement across social media. Many praised his hard work and versatility, having followed his career through NCT’s subunits NCT 127, NCT Dream, and SuperM.
“Mark deserves this so much! The Firstfruit is amazing, and 544,470 sales in a week is insane!” – Fan comment on social media
Some fans expressed frustration over initial sales counting issues. They noted that the trilogy version of the album, which includes three photobooks, was counted as a single sale on Hanteo at first. Later adjustments allowed individual counts, boosting the total.
“Mark could’ve hit even higher numbers if the trilogy versions were counted right from the start. Still, this is a huge win!” – Fan post
By April 8, The Firstfruit debuted with 2,229,335 streams on Spotify Counter, showing its digital strength. The title track 1999 also claimed the top spot on Bugs’ real-time chart in South Korea.
A New Chapter for Mark
Mark’s solo debut marks a significant step in his career. At 25, the Canadian-born artist has spent nine years in K-pop, balancing multiple roles in NCT and SuperM. His album reflects his growth, faith, and gratitude toward his family and fans.
To promote The Firstfruit, Mark held a showcase on April 7 at FB Theater in Seoul’s Seongsu Cultural and Arts Center. He performed 1999 and other tracks, sharing behind-the-scenes stories with fans. Offline events, like a LISTENING SESSION on release day, gave fans a chance to connect with the album.
“I think this album helped me find myself, and I hope it can help my listeners find themselves too.” – Mark
Mark’s success has sparked excitement about his future as a solo artist. Fans and industry watchers are eager to see what he does next, with some already hoping for a second album.
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