NCT member Mark has achieved a major milestone with his first solo album, The Firstfruit, which topped iTunes charts in multiple countries upon its release on April 7, 2025. The album reached No. 1 in at least 14 regions, including Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, while also securing high positions on worldwide and European charts .
Global Chart Domination
The Firstfruit debuted at No. 2 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and No. 3 on the European iTunes Album Chart. It claimed the top spot on iTunes Top Albums charts in 17 countries, with additional No. 1 rankings in China’s QQ Music Digital Album Sales Chart and Japan’s AWA Rising Chart . The title track, 1999, also performed strongly, topping iTunes song charts in several regions, including Peru and Colombia .
In South Korea, the album dominated physical sales, ranking No. 1 on Hanteo and Circle Chart’s Retail Album Chart. The lead single, 1999, quickly climbed to No. 1 on Bugs’ real-time chart and entered Melon’s HOT 100 at No. 3 .
A Personal and Autobiographical Album
The Firstfruit is a 13-track project that reflects Mark’s life journey across four cities: Toronto, New York, Vancouver, and Seoul. The album opens with Toronto’s Window, an acoustic spoken-word piece detailing his early years in Canada. Other tracks, such as Flight to NYC and Raincouver, explore his experiences moving between cities before settling in Seoul as a trainee under SM Entertainment .
Mark described the album as deeply personal, incorporating themes of faith, rebirth, and self-discovery. The title references biblical symbolism, representing the significance of first offerings. He shared that writing 1999 was particularly challenging, with multiple lyric drafts before finalizing the song about renewal and new beginnings .
Showcase and Fan Reactions
To celebrate the release, Mark held a debut showcase at Seoul’s FB Theater, performing 1999 and other tracks, including his 2022 single Child. He expressed gratitude to fans, stating, This album holds my truest feelings. Through the long production process, I got to know myself even better. I hope it resonates with you too .
Fans worldwide celebrated the album’s success on social media, with many praising Mark’s growth as a solo artist. The strong chart performance highlights his global appeal beyond his work with NCT .
New Apple Music Radio Show
Alongside the album, Mark launched on your MARK, a four-part radio series on Apple Music 1. The show, which premiered on April 8, features discussions about his music, personal stories, and curated playlists .
