NCT’s MARK drops hard-hitting single Fraktsiya featuring Lee Young Ji
The duo comes together on this song to boast their individual success while also being critical of the negative aspects of their industry, rapping about being resilient in the face of stress from media speculation and grueling schedules.
Earlier this week, NCT’s busiest member MARK put out his solo release “Fraktsiya” featuring rapper Lee Young Ji. While his debut album won’t be released until April 2025, this track and his previous song “200” are a taste of what’s to come. MARK and Young Ji flow together seamlessly on this track while they hype themselves up over the beat. This single utilizes UK drill and house-inspired elements, accompanied by heavy 808 bass. Since MARK’s debut in 2016 he’s been making a name for himself as a songwriter, rapper, performer, and producer. “Fraktsiya” is a fun, hip-hop driven commentary on the nonstop grind the idol has been on for his whole career.
Various group and solo activities kept NCT’s powerhouse busy this year, but Young Ji had an incredibly successful year of her own and became even more prominent as an artist and celebrity in South Korea. The duo comes together on this song to boast their individual success while also being critical of the negative aspects of their industry, rapping about being resilient in the face of stress from media speculation and grueling schedules. Despite the brutally honest observations in the lyrics, the two rappers manage to keep the energy upbeat and bounce off each other’s verses flawlessly. The confidence expressed through the lyrics and delivery is infectious, and this single makes MARK’s upcoming solo album seem even more promising.
Lyrics such as “K-Pop should all look at me now,” and “Name somebody who can juggle three teams / Still come up with the best solo album / At the same time with no rest time” reflect on MARK’s position within the industry and even his own group. Other members of NCT have solo activities, and he’s not the only person in more than one unit, but the arrangement of their schedules seem to have MARK in particular working around the clock. While he’s widely known and respected for his talent as an artist, one of the most defining (and concerning) characteristics of his career is his never-ending workload. Yet somehow, almost spitefully, he manages to continue firing on all cylinders. “Fraktsiya” is a reminder that no one is doing it like MARK.
Listen to “Fraktsiya” here!