The power of a viral challenge has struck again this time with NCT’s Mark at the center. His solo track “1999”, from his debut album “The Firstfruit”, has landed on Korea’s Top 100 music charts following the explosive popularity of his “Hiplet” (Hip-hop + Ballet) dance challenge.
The now-trending dance first appeared on YouTube through dancer Gabee’s show “Diva Town Queen Gabee”. During the episode aired on April 11, Mark joined Gabee, Jamie, King Huns, and Toto under the playful concept of creating an “NCT Ballet” unit. With guidance from another dancer, the “Hiplet” version of the “1999” challenge was born—featuring balletic flair mixed with funky groove.
“1999” itself is a genre-blending pop anthem with orchestral elements, funky guitar riffs, brass, and whistles. Lyrically, it captures Mark’s joy in releasing his first solo album likening it to him being born in 1999, and expressing his ambition to be an artist who defines the end of an era. Mark took part in writing the lyrics himself.
Though “1999” initially garnered fan attention, it truly took off when the “Hiplet Challenge” gained traction across social media. The quirky yet elegant moves quickly won over fans, K-pop idols, musical theater actors, and even ballet majors, making it one of the most dynamic trends of April.
Fueling the momentum further, Mark had promised on Gabee’s show that if he won first place on a music show, he’d perform the Hiplet version. He fulfilled this promise on April 18, dancing live after clinching the No.1 trophy on KBS’s “Music Bank”, sending fans into a frenzy once again.
The viral spark lit by the challenge translated into real streaming gains. Though “1999” didn’t initially chart on Melon’s weekly Top 100, it climbed steadily thanks to rising interest, ultimately landing at No.88 during the fourth week of April.
