[Review] 1999 – MARK (NCT)

SM Entertainment has been teasing MARK’s solo debut album since what felt like forever. The album was announced in May 2024, with the intentions to release the album in February 2025. But it was later announced that the album would be delayed to April 2025 to “ensure a better quality”. Since the announcement last year, MARK released three singles – 200, Fraktsiya ft. LEE YOUNG JI and +82 Pressin’ ft. HAECHAN. All these singles are included on MARK’s debut studio album, The Firstfruit, which is led by the single 1999.

MARK’s 1999 (and the rest of the album) has been out since Monday. But don’t take the time it has taken me to write this review as an indicator towards my thoughts on 1999. I have been really enjoying 1999 since my first listen. The fantastic blend of grand orchestra, funky guitar, brass sounds and whistling with the modern soft beats drew my attention from the get-go. It sounds like there is a lot going on in the background, but they all came together to create such a cool and unique instrumental backing. MARK impresses with his vocals in 1999. The melodies that come through during the chorus helps make 1999 smooth and velvety, overall. This gives 1999 a very unique style and I just love that. The chorus ends up being such a strong drawing point of the song, for me, thanks to the catchy repetition hook ‘99 yeah 99‘. I would gladly replay the song to just listen to the chorus. His rapping in 1999 is great, though it isn’t as memorable as compared to the vocal work. Even his rap-speak motif was more memorable than his actual rapping sequences. The end of 1999 is also a rather weak moment of the song. I do like how it attempts to give 1999 its last hurrah and close out the song in an a dynamic and energetic manner, but I felt the rapping here and instrumentation was a little muddled. Had 1999 closed out with a stronger, bolder and satisfying end and MARK’s raps were memorable throughout the song to the same level as his vocals were, 1999 would have been the near-perfect song.

My best guess of what is going on in the music video involves MARK traveling back in time to 1999 when it all started for him (i.e., his birth year). I am assuming he goes back to show the world what they are currently have to offer. And he brings all of his music (including his own debut studio album) to help him make his mark. I like the different MARKs we see in the video, from the time traveling MARK who is the main show, 1999 VJ MARK who helps spreads the news, and Fraktisya MARK who is flying the UFO/hockey puck. I also like the little inclusion of Canada MARK and New York MARK, which speaks to his birth country and childhood.

The blend of different instruments lends well to an interesting performance piece. I like the start of the routine, with the dancers emerging from behind MARK in a contemporary fashion. The chorus routine looked very cool. I liked how clean the execution was, and I am digging the “99 yeah 99” move (especially when it involves moving around the stage, as it just depicts the smoothness so well). I am also impressed with the footwork involved, particularly during the final sequence of 1999.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10