Group NCT member Mark (signed to SME)'s first solo album "The Firstfruit" was chosen by Billboard in the U.S. as the best K-pop album of the year.
Mark's first solo album "The Firstfruit," released in April, ranked No. 1 on Billboard's "The 25 Best K-Pop Album of 2025: Staff Picks," which Billboard released on Dec. 18 (local time) on its official website, once again proving Mark's global influence.
Billboard said, "'The Firstfruit' is an impressive work that immediately cements Mark's presence. From time spent flying back and forth and homesickness to longing for his mother, it candidly captures Mark's personal experiences. The album is a journey that follows Mark's perspective from beginning to end, drawing listeners deep into his inner world."
Also, the album track "+82 Pressin' (Feat. Haechan)" was named to teenVogue's "15 Best K-pop Music Videos of 2025," and teenVogue said, "The combination of Mark and Haechan alone is worth noting, but the music video for this song is artistic in itself and delivers an intense immersion," adding, "As a work that allows for rich interpretation, it's better to directly check the exquisite and impressive visuals rather than lengthy explanation."
Mark's first solo album "The Firstfruit" consists of 13 tracks including the title track "1999," and tells candid stories following four cities that became Mark's solid foundation—his hometown Toronto, his first place of settlement New York, Vancouver where he spent his school years, and Seoul where he realizes his dream as an artist—leading the album to become a half-million seller at release and enjoy popularity on various domestic and international charts.
NCT DREAM, which includes Mark, will appear on the Dec. 25 broadcast of "2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon."
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment.
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