It’s been reported that NCT’s Mark is gearing up for a solo album release in early 2025, which has to be the earliest comeback announcement (rumor) in K-pop history. Before that, he’s dropped digital single 200. It follows the experimental bent of previous track Golden Hour and embraces a new sonic palette.
No one in K-pop seems free from the drum and bass trend sweeping through the industry, but different artists employ it in different ways. 200 ties this shuffling percussion to an alt-rock track driven more by singing than rap. This is somewhat surprising for Mark, and it’s fun to hear him play with his voice in different ways. His performance runs the gamut, less concerned with technical perfection as it is with sheer emotion. He works well in this setting — much more than I would have expected.
Similar to its performance style, 200‘s melodies have a cast off, stream-of-consciousness approach. They cycle around a few central hooks and this repetitiveness begins to wear thin by the song’s end. Because of this, I don’t see myself seeking out 200 often. The song succeeds at what it sets out to do and the 90’s kid in me appreciates its gritty, guitar-led production, but I’d love to see Mark build upon this sound with even stronger material in the future.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.75