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Mark (rapper)
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Mark Lee (born August 2, 1999), known mononymously as Mark, is a Canadian rapper and singer based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT and its fixed sub-units NCT 127 and NCT Dream, as well as the South Korean supergroup SuperM.
Key Information
Career
[edit]2012–2016: Pre-debut
[edit]In 2012, Mark joined SM Entertainment as a trainee after passing the SM Global Audition in Vancouver, Canada. On December 16, 2013, he was introduced as a member of SM Rookies, a pre-debut team of trainees under SM Entertainment.[4] As a part of the SM Rookies program, in October 2014, he and several of his co-members appeared on the Mnet-produced Exo 90:2014, a show starring labelmates Exo – where they perform dances to K-pop songs from the 1990s.[5]
In 2015, Mark and other SM Rookies members starred as Mouseketeers in a Korean revival of The Mickey Mouse Club, which aired on Disney Channel Korea. The show included musical performances, games, and skits, similar to the original American show.[6] It aired from July 23 to December 17, 2015, hosted by Leeteuk of Super Junior.[7]
2016–2018: NCT and solo endeavors
[edit]In April 2016, SM Entertainment confirmed that Mark and four other members of SM Rookies—Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten and Jaehyun—would debut as members of NCT's first sub-unit, NCT U. They released their first digital single on April 9, titled "The 7th Sense", in which he and Taeyong participated in songwriting.[8] Three months later, SM Entertainment announced that Mark would become a member of NCT's second sub-unit, NCT 127, along with Taeyong, Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin and Haechan. NCT 127 made their official debut with the extended play NCT #127 and title track "Fire Truck" on July 10, 2016.[9]
Mark also joined NCT's third sub-unit, NCT Dream, which consisted of members Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung. The group officially debuted on August 24, 2016, with the single "Chewing Gum". The following month, Mark featured on Henry Lau's "Going Through Your Heart", an original soundtrack for the KBS drama, Sweet Stranger and Me.[10] This marked his first solo endeavour since his debut in NCT.
In January 2017, Mark joined High School Rapper, a survival hip hop reality TV show that aired on Mnet.[11] He advanced to the finals and performed an original song, "Drop" featuring labelmate Seulgi of Red Velvet, and placed seventh overall.[12] In July 2017, Mark collaborated with Exo's Xiumin on single "Young & Free". It was released through Season 2 of SM Entertainment's digital music project SM Station.[13] The same month, Mark appeared in the first season of the music variety show Snowball Project. He teamed up with Parc Jae-jung to release "Lemonade Love" on July 21, also through SM Station, which was produced by former labelmate Henry Lau and Yoon Jong-shin.[14]
Beginning in February 2018, Mark served as one of the main hosts of the music program Show! Music Core, leaving in January 2019 to focus on his activities with NCT 127.[15] In May 2018, he became a regular cast member on the MBC reality TV show It's Dangerous Beyond The Blankets.[16] In October 2018, Mark released the song "Dream Me" with Red Velvet's Joy for the soundtrack of the KBS drama The Ghost Detective. Mark was the first member to officially graduate from NCT Dream on December 31, 2018.[17]
2019–present: SuperM and rejoining NCT Dream
[edit]On August 7, 2019, Mark was confirmed as a member of SuperM – a supergroup created by SM Entertainment in collaboration with Capitol Records. The group began promoting in October of that year in the American music market.[18][19] SuperM's self-titled debut EP was released on October 4, 2019, led by the single "Jopping".[20] Mark continued to promote with SuperM throughout 2020, through the release the group's first studio album, Super One. On April 14, SM Entertainment announced through an official statement that Mark would be rejoining NCT Dream, thus abolishing their original age-based graduation system.[21][22][23] His return was affirmed through his participation in the NCT Dream song "Déjà Vu" on the group-wide studio album NCT 2020 Resonance.[24]
On January 28, 2022, it was announced that Mark would release his first single, "Child". Specifically, it was set to be released on February 4, as part of NCT Lab.[25] "Child", described as an emotional hip-hop track, was commended for its lyrics.[26]
On March 30, 2023, it was announced that Mark would release his new solo song and second single, "Golden Hour", on April 7, as part of NCT Lab.[27]"Golden Hour" described as a hip-hop genre song that combines impactful guitar and drum sounds and flashy rapping and also a self-produced song. The song featured lyrics referencing a highly memed Twitter review from the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for fried eggs he made on It's Dangerous Beyond the Blanket.[28]
On May 16, 2024, Mark announced the start of his solo album, set to be released in February 2025, with a digital single titled "200." The new song "200" is a drum & bass track based on rock sounds, featuring a captivating blend of early 2000s electric guitar sounds and lyrical melodies. The lyrics convey the meaning of love, describing how two people make each other shine brighter and how their relationship becomes more perfect when they are together.[29]
On December 11, 2024, it was confirmed that Mark would release his new single, "Fraktsiya", featuring Lee Young-ji, along with a music video. The single "Fraktsiya" is a hip-hop track defined by its powerful 808 bass and highly repetitive synthesizer sounds over a house-style chord progression. 'Fraktsiya,' which means 'spy' in Russian, is referenced in the lyrics to describe Mark and Lee Young-ji's experiences navigating between K-pop and hip-hop. The comparison highlights their ability to move between the two genres like 'spies,' showcasing their confidence and skill in delivering impressive performances across both fields.[30] Subsequently, the release of his solo album, originally scheduled for February 2025, was postponed to April 2025, with SM Entertainment stating that the delay was to 'ensure better quality'.[31]
Mark's debut studio album, The Firstfruit, was released on April 7, 2025.[32] The album featured the lead single titled "1999".[33]
Other ventures
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]In October 2022, Polo Ralph Lauren selected Mark as the Korean ambassador of the brand.[34]
In February 2025, Mark was selected as ambassador of cosmetics brand Espoir.[35] In March, French high jewelry maison Boucheron welcomes Mark as a Friend of the Maison.[36] In April, Mark was announced as a brand ambassador of Tim Hortons Korea.[37] In October, Mark was announced as the new brand model of the skincare brand COSRX.[38]
Philanthropy
[edit]In February 2023, Mark donated ₩150 million to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to help victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake[39] and ₩10 million to the Community Chest of Korea along with Genie Music.[40]
In March 2025, Mark donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to help aiding the recovery of areas affected by wildfires in the Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam regions.[41]. Also, to celebrate the release of his debut solo album in April, Mark also made a meaningful donation of ₩100 million (approx. $76,000) to support children living in protective care facilities, expanding emotional and social outreach programs for those in need.[42]
Discography
[edit]- The Firstfruit (2025)
Filmography
[edit]Television shows
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | High School Rapper | Contestant | [11] | |
| Snowball Project | Cast member | [14] | ||
| 2018–2019 | Show! Music Core | Co-host | [15] | |
| 2018 | It's Dangerous Beyond The Blankets | Cast member | Ep. 8–10 (Season 2) | [16] |
Music videos
[edit]| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Young & Free" (with Xiumin) |
2017 | Unknown | N/a |
| "Lemonade Love" (with Parc Jae-jung) | |||
| "Child" | 2022 | ||
| "Golden Hour" | 2023 | Eehosoo (cpbeq) |
[43][44] |
| "200" | 2024 | ||
| "Fraktsiya (feat. Lee Young-ji) |
Giseong Jun (ES4X) | [45] | |
| "+82 Pressin'" (feat. Haechan) |
2025 | Cheol-ho Park | [46] |
| "1999" | Vin Kim (Kepler Lab) |
[47] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Pop Music Awards[A] | 2022 | Top 20 Songs of the Year (Overseas) | "Child" | Won | [49] |
| 2025 | Top 20 Albums of the Year | The Firstfruit | Won | ||
| Best Collaboration | "Fraktsiya" (feat. Lee Young-ji) | Nominated | [50] | ||
| Best Male Artist | Mark | Nominated | |||
| Jupiter Music Awards | 2025 | Album of the Year | The Firstfruit | Won | [51] |
| Korea Grand Music Awards | 2025 | Best Music 10 | Won | [52] | |
| Korean Music Awards | 2026 | Best K-Pop Album | Nominated | ||
| MAMA Awards | 2025 | Artist of the Year | Mark | Nominated | [53] |
| Song of the Year | "1999" | Nominated | |||
| "Fraktsiya" (feat. Lee Young-ji) | Nominated | ||||
| Best Male Artist | Mark | Nominated | |||
| Best Dance Performance Male Solo | "1999" | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | "Fraktsiya" (feat. Lee Young-ji) | Nominated | |||
| MBC Entertainment Awards | 2018 | Rookie Award in Music / Talk Show – Male | Show! Music Core | Nominated | [54][55] |
| Melon Music Awards | 2025 | Millions Top 10 | The Firstfruit | Nominated | |
| Music Awards Japan | 2026 | Album of the Year | Nominated | [56] | |
| Best K-Pop Artist | Mark | Nominated |
The Firstfruit's listicles
[edit]- Billboard ~ #1 Best K-Pop Album of 2025 (Staff Picks)[57]
- Genius Korea ~ #1 Best K-Pop Album of 2025[58]
- Forbes ~ One of the Notable/Critically Acclaimed K-Pop Albums of 2025[59]
- Idology ~ One of the Top 20 Albums of The Year[60]
- Screenrant ~ #3 Top 10 Best K-Pop album in 2025[61]
- Headphonesty ~ One of the 50 Best Albums of 2025[62]
- Omelete ~ One of the 10 Best K-pop Albums of 2025[63]
- B-Side Rituals ~ #8 Best No Skip EPs/Albums of 2025[64]
- YesAsia ~ #1 Best K-Pop Album of 2025[65]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lee, Mi-hwa. "[HAPPY B하인드] 8월 2일 오늘의 아이돌은? NCT(엔씨티) '마크' | 기사상세". iMBC 연예 (in Korean). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (April 11, 2023). "Mark Shares How His NCT Solo Music Refuels His Passion Within K-Pop 'Chaos'". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Park, Seo-hyun. "NCT 마크 첫 솔로 데뷔, 앨범 TMI - STYLE 읽을거리 | 에스콰이어 코리아 | 패션 매거진, 패션 잡지, 남성지". Esquire (in Korean). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Jeon, Won (December 13, 2013). "'SM루키즈' 마크·지성·한솔 전격공개, 안무가 토니테스타 극찬". MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Kim, Sara (October 4, 2014). "[어저께TV] '엑소902014' K팝 시험, 90 반갑고 2014 새롭고". Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ "SM Rookies to Star In Variety Show "The Mickey Mouse Club"; Hosted by Super Junior's Leeteuk". July 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ Hwang, Geung-ji (July 9, 2015). "디즈니채널, 한국판 '미키마우스클럽' 제작 'SM 루키즈 출연'" (in Korean). TV Report. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Son, Ji-hyoung (April 6, 2016). "NCT U confirms lineup, set to unveil singles 'The 7th Sense,' 'Without You'". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ "NCT 127 전곡 음원 공개, 보너스트랙까지 총 7곡 수록". Herald Muse (in Korean). July 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ "헨리X마크 '우사남' OST '니 맘에 들어갈래' 26일 자정 공개". Sports Dong-a (in Korean). October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b "NCT 127 마크, 고교 랩 대항전 '고등래퍼' 출전". 뉴스1 (in Korean). January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Mnet 측 "'고등래퍼' 시즌2 확정, 올 수능 이후 제작 돌입" (공식입장)". www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). April 1, 2017. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "엑소 시우민·NCT 마크, 'SM스테이션'으로 스페셜 듀오 결성" (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- ^ a b ""눈덩이 출격"...박재정X마크, '레모네이드 러브' 오늘(21일) 발표". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ^ a b "옹성우·미나·마크, '음악중심' 新 MC 발탁 [공식]". Herald Corporation (in Korean). January 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019 – via Naver.
- ^ a b "MBC 측 "NCT 마크 '이불밖은 위험해' 출연 논의중"". Newsen. May 3, 2018. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ ""[공식입장] NCT 마크, 올해 마지막으로 NCT DREAM 졸업...졸업송 수록"". newsen (in Korean). August 26, 2018. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Jeff Benjamin (August 7, 2019). "Super M, 'The Avengers Of K-Pop,' Unveiled By SM Entertainment And Capitol Music Group". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ "SM Entertainment and Capitol Records Team Up to Launch Super M". Billboard. August 8, 2019. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ "SuperM Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart With 'The 1st Mini Album'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "NCT DREAM, 졸업無→'마크 포함' 7명 'NCT U'로 활동..29일 컴백 [공식]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "NCT Dream Set New Album 'Reload', Scrap Age-Based System With Return of Mark". Billboard. April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Halliwell, Kate (May 8, 2020). "How K-Pop's NCT Dream Became Too Big to Deny". The Ringer. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "NCT 2020, 유닛 조합 모두 공개..정규 2집 Pt.1 10월 12일 발매". 다음뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Lee, Deok-haeng (February 28, 2022). "SM 'STATION', NCT 음악 아카이빙 프로젝트 'NCT LAB' 스타트" [SM 'STATION', NCT music archiving project 'NCT LAB' starts]. StarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Jeong, Ha-eun (February 9, 2022). "NCT 마크·DAY6 원필, '첫 솔로' 수식어로만 담긴 아깝다[SS뮤직]" [NCT Mark · DAY6 Wonpil, 'first solo' is a waste of only modifiers [SS Music]]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 13, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Min-ji (March 30, 2023). "NCT 마크, 4월7일 두 번째 솔로곡 '골든 아워' 공개" [NCT MARK's second solo song "Golden Hour" will be released on April 7.]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "NCT 마크, 솔로곡 '골든 아워' 공개".
- ^ "NCT 마크, 신곡 '200'으로 솔로 데뷔 향한 성공적인 출발! — SM Entertainment" (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "드디어 온다! NCT 마크, 신곡 '프락치' 오늘(16일) 오후 6시 음원+MV 공개 — SM Entertainment" (in Korean). Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ Yoon, Seung-jin (December 11, 2024). "NCT's Mark delays solo album release to 'ensure better quality'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Min-ji (March 13, 2025). "NCT 마크, 첫 솔로 앨범 'The Firstfruit' 4월 7일 발매 [공식]" [NCT Mark, first solo album 'The Firstfruit' will be released on April 7th [Official]]. Newsen.
- ^ "NCT 마크, '1999'로 경쾌하게 자신의 시대를 연다". 조선비즈 (in Korean). March 25, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Choi, Bo-yoon (October 15, 2022). 랄프 로렌 코리아, NCT 마크 폴로 랄프 로렌 앰버서더로 발탁 [Ralph Lauren Korea, NCT Mark Polo selected as Ralph Lauren Ambassador]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Park, Yoon-hee (February 1, 2025). "유니크한 매력"...아모레퍼시픽 에스쁘아, NCT 마크 앰버서더 발탁 外. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Naver.
- ^ Boucheron names NCT's Mark as newest brand ambassador.
- ^ Kim, Ye-rang (April 4, 2025). 캐나다 출신 NCT 마크, '팀홀튼' 韓 앰버서더로 발탁. Korean Economy (in Korean). Retrieved April 4, 2025 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Hyeon-su (October 28, 2025). NCT 마크, 코스알엑스 모델 발탁. ABC뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Na-yul (February 15, 2023). "[팝업★]BTS 지민·제이홉→유재석, 지진 피해에 1억 기부‥인성도 월드스타" [[Pop-up★] BTS Jimin and J-Hope → Yoo Jae-seok, donated 100 million to earthquake victims ‥ Inseong is also a world star]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Myung, Hee-sook (February 13, 2023). "NCT 마크·지니뮤직, 사랑의 열매에 1천만원 기부" [NCT Mark and Genie Music donate 10 million won to the fruit of love]. X-ports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Ahn, Tae-hyun (March 27, 2025). NCT 마크, 산불 피해 복구 지원 위해 1억 기부. News 1 (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2025 – via Naver.
- ^ NCT's Mark Donates ₩100 Million to Support Children in Protective Care.
- ^ @eehosoo (April 8, 2023). "MARK - GOLDEN HOUR M/V". via Instagram.
- ^ @eehosoo (May 16, 2024). "MARK '200' M/V 🏃🌊🪂🕸️". via Instagram.
- ^ @mngn.4 (December 16, 2024). "MARK 마크 '프락치 (Fraktsiya) (Feat. 이영지)' MV". via Instagram.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ @irontiger_ (March 19, 2025). "+82 Pressin' MV". via Instagram.
- ^ @vinkeem (April 7, 2025). "MARK '1999' MV 🛸". via Instagram.
- ^ "2020亚洲流行音乐大奖结果出炉 林俊杰获5奖成最大赢家". VCT News (in Chinese). December 28, 2020. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "【APMA 2022】亚洲流行音乐大奖2022年度获奖名单" [[APMA 2022] Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Winners List]. Weibo (in Chinese). December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "【#APMAAWARDS】ASIAN POP MUSIC AWARDS「APMA 2025」 NOMINATIONS". December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "Winners of the 2nd Jupiter Music Awards". Jupiter Music Awards. September 7, 2025.
- ^ 마크·세븐틴·에스파·엔하이픈, 뮤직 10 등극…투표 ‘픽’은 BTS 뷔·지민 [2025 KGMA]. Naver (in Korean). November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ^ Fung, Raine (October 16, 2025). "2025 MAMA AWARDS nominations announced". The Standard. Archived from the original on October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
- ^ [MBC 연예대상] 이영자, KBS 이어 MBC 대상 수상···여성 최초 2관왕. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). December 30, 2018. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019 – via Naver.
- ^ [MBC연예대상] 대상 이영자, 송성호와 뜨거운 포옹 '역대 최초 女 2관왕'. Naver (in Korean). December 30, 2018. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ "「MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN」ノミネート発表 最優秀アーティスト賞はCreepy Nuts、ミセス 、Vaundy、YOASOBI、藤井風" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. April 17, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ Billboard The 25 Best K-Pop Albums Of 2025: Staff Picks.
- ^ Genius Korea Best K-Pop Albums of 2025.
- ^ More Critically Acclaimed K-Pop Albums of 2025.
- ^ 결산 2025 : ③올해의 앨범 20선.
- ^ Screenrant Best K-Pop Albums in 2025 So Far.
- ^ 50 Best Albums of 2025, According to Music Critics (Ranked).
- ^ Omelete: Os 10 melhores álbuns de K-pop de 2025.
- ^ B-Side Rituals: The Best No-Skip EPs & Albums of 2025.
- ^ YesAsia YumCha Best Korean Albums of 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Mark Lee at Wikimedia Commons
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