Sampling 'The Firstfruit' on Mark's Debut Solo Album

April 14, 2025

Sampling 'The Firstfruit' on Mark's Debut Solo Album

Mark and has been hinting at a solo debut for a while now. The hype continued with the prelease, "Fraktsiya ft Lee Younji," last year. Following intriguing teasers, and another prerelease single featuring Mark's bandmate Haechan, the full album "The Firstfruit' was dropped Monday, April 7, 2025.

Highlights from My 1st Listen:

Since I didn't take the day off to celebrate MOLO, I saved my first listen for after work. I had listened to his album Highlight Melody, "'The Firstfruit' Air: 13 Travel Guidelines," so I had an inkling of what I was in for.

I was personally looking forward to, 'Watching TV,' featuring Crush. I am a Crush enthusiast, so I was interested in seeing how his style would meld with Mark's. Despite my dislike of 'love' songs Crush and Mark have won me over on this one. The harmonies in the intro along with the adlibs make the experience of listening addicting - so it stays on loop in my car.

During my first listen, Raincouver was a standout, I felt it showed a soft earnestness. While Mark remembers his rainy days in Vancouver, it feels like he is writing to a person not a city. I love that deep connection, and how he made me feel the nostalgia for a rainy (but happy) day.

I'll wait for you, I thought of you, Vancouver
I'm waiting for you who turned into rain today
Innocence became my umbrella
My Raincouver, my Raincouver

Mark singing in the rain for his 'Raincouver' music video.

Listening to this album felt like an initiation into Mark's current headspace and life journey. Even though this album is produced by SM and therefore commercially targeted album. However, I felt it wasn't cut down for a general appeal but allows Mark to express his feelings towards stardom, hard work, family, and his globetrotting adolescence.

As a fellow 99'er, I was genuinely looking forward to this release. It is one of the few albums that I have preordered, and it was difficult to pick which to buy. The Square Flap version was initially in my sights, but I decided for the Righteous version of the photobook instead. They are supposed to come in the mail tomorrow, I can't wait.

Biblical References

As the album references Marks upbringing and values, it also dips into his Christian beliefs. 'The Firstfruit' is a reference to biblical principles of giving the best of your work back to God. Throughout the album with songs like Righteous and Toronto's Window, Mark continues to openly ponder on his faith and commitment to God.

"Yeah, two bands I represent but I serve only one God, hol' up
One thing for sure, I be a man of God"

Righteous - Mark Lee

Even the album's title track, 1999 holds several references of its own - coming back with a testament, a call from my Maker, etc... I think my favorite has to be, "I'll leave the 99 just to get the 1 baby." This line relates to the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15/Matthew 18 in the New Testament. In the story a shepherd, leaves all 99 of his sheep just to find one that has wandered away. It is meant to show how important even one sinner is to the Lord. Although I am not sure what Mark means in the line, perhaps the hope that he can inspire others with his music. Personally, I am inspired not only by Mark's references and commitment to faith but perseverance throughout his whole career.

Welp, the promotions for the album have been amazing. I would recommend checking out his 100s of dance. It highlights his career from NCT U up to MOLO and even includes Jopping (his SuperM debut)!