Child (Mark song) explained

Child
Cover:Mark - Child.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mark
Released:February 4, 2022
Studio:SM Studios, Seoul, South Korea
Genre:Hip hop
Length:3:31
Label:
Composer:
  • Dress
  • Mark
  • Ron
  • Jane
Lyricist:
  • Mark
  • Ron
  • Jane
Prev Title:Dream Me
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Golden Hour
Next Year:2023

"Child" is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Mark. It was released with an accompanying music video on February 4, 2022, as a part of NCT Lab. The song was written by Mark, Ron and Jane, who were joined in the composition by Dress. "Child" was described as an emotional hip hop track that expresses candidly Mark's worries throughout the lyrics.

The song charted at number twenty-three on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart. It also charted at number nine and twenty-five in Indonesia and Thailand respectively. In North America, "Child" peaked at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart, making it the singer's first entry on the chart.

Background and release

On January 28, 2022, SM Entertainment announced that their digital music project, SM Station, would return with a special season, titled NCT Lab, and that Mark would start it off by releasing his first single under the project, "Child", on February 4.[1] From the 31st, three sets of teaser images were released on NCT's official social media.[2] A teaser for the music video was shared the day before its release.

Music and lyrics

"Child" was written by Mark, Ron and Jane, who were joined in the composition by Dress.[3] Belle of Kiss of Life provided background vocals for the chorus.[4] Musically, the song has been described as an emotional hip hop track that incorporates unique bass synth and electric guitar sound.[5] Divyansha Dongre of Rolling Stone India categorized the track as a hip hop-rock release for its "strong sonic shift with the smooth insertion of bass synth" in the chorus.[6] Lyrically, the song expresses the deep concerns of the singer about finding oneself.

Chart performance

In South Korea, "Child" debuted at number 23 on the Gaon Digital Chart in the issue dated January 30–February 5, 2021.[7] The song also debuted at number one on the component Download Chart.[8] It also debuted at number six and 159 on the component BGM Chart and on the component Streaming Chart respectively.[9] [10] The song debuted at number 48 on the Billboard's K-pop Hot 100 chart in the issue dated February 19, 2022.[11] In Japan, "Child" didn't enter the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, but debuted at number 53 on the component Top Download Songs chart.[12] In Malaysia, the song debuted at position 17 on the RIM's Top 20 Chart.[13] In Singapore, the song debuted at position 19 on the RIAS's Top Regional Chart in the issue dated February 4–10, 2021.[14] In Indonesia, "Child" debuted at number nine on the Billboard's Indonesia Songs chart.[15] In Thailand, the song debuted at position 25 on the Billboard's Thailand Songs chart.[16] In Vietnam, the song debuted at position 50 on the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 in the chart issue dated February 17, 2022.[17] In the United States, "Child" debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart in the issue dated February 19, 2022.[18] It also at number 132 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart in the issue dated February 19, 2022.[19]

Reception

"Child" received generally positive reviews. The song received attention for its "sensible" and "honest" lyrics that "yearn for freedom", with Hong Hye-min of the Hankook Ilbo noting how they follow a "essay-style", which is described by them as lyrics that "capture personal lyricism, contemplation, and reflection with a literary technique" and contain the singer's autobiographical story, an uncommon style in K-pop.[20] [21] [22] The song features Mark's vocals alongside his "trademark" rap, which positively surprised the public.[23] Lim Dong-yeop of IZM noted that, while the vocals are enhanced by the electric guitar, they tend to disappear when the rhythm section comes in.[24] The song was selected by Vandana Pawa to be featured on Teen Vogues list of the 79 best K-pop songs of 2022.[25] "Child" won Top 20 Song of the Year (Overseas) at the 2022 Asian Pop Music Awards.[26]

Music video and live performance

The music video for "Child" was directed by Lee Hye-in.[27] It features "gloomy visuals" and it is characterized by an "eclectic style". It begins with Mark lying in the middle of an abandoned factory. As the song starts to build up, Mark wakes up and, when the "rockier" chorus comes in, the singer takes off running while he's chased by a group of strangers. Regarding the fashion, Mark is shown wearing a "workwear-inspired layered look" at the start of the video, while in the next scenes he sports two other outfits: a plain white t-shirt paired with ripped jeans accompanied by a faux pierced eyebrow and a "glittering disco-ball" tracksuit covered in reflective tiles. During the chasing scene, the singer is also shown wearing a "brightly colored" rainbow overcoat and a backpack that leaves trails of red smoke behind him. [28]

Mark performed the song for the first time on a music-dedicated segment of The NCT Show, a show featuring NCT members on NCT's official YouTube channel.[29]

Track listing

  1. "Child" – 3:31
  2. "Child" (instrumental) – 3:31

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[30]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Child"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Indonesia (Billboard)9
Malaysia (RIM)17
Singapore (RIAS Regional)16
South Korea (Gaon)23
South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)48
Thailand (Billboard)25
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)8
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)50

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Child"! Region! Date! Format! Label!
VariousFebruary 4, 2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SM 'STATION', NCT 음악 아카이빙 프로젝트 'NCT LAB' 스타트. SM 'STATION', NCT music archiving project 'NCT LAB' starts. Deok-haeng. Lee. February 28, 2022. StarNews. ko. February 1, 2022. https://archive.today/20220201180527/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0003024669. February 1, 2022. live.
  2. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/382/0000959021. ko:NCT 마크 솔로곡 ‘Child’ 티저 공개, 4일 발표. NCT Mark's solo song 'Child' teaser released, released on the 4th. Hong. Se-young. February 2, 2022. The Dong-a Ilbo. ko. live. February 21, 2022. February 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203045550/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/382/0000959021.
  3. Web site: https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=34599641. ko:곡 정보 - Child. Song Information - Child. ko. Melon. February 21, 2022. live. March 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220304214446/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=34599641.
  4. News: https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202308291101310410. ko:심신 딸 벨, 능력자였네…NCT 마크 솔로곡 코러스 참여. Belle, the member of Kiss of Life, was a talented person... Participated in the chorus of NCT Mark's solo song→Le Seraphim composer. Hwang. Hye-jin. August 29, 2023. Star News. ko. May 18, 2024.
  5. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003528046. ko:[팝's신곡]"사람들이 바라본 난 누구야"..NCT 마크, 솔직하게 써내려간 첫 솔로 'Child'. [Pop's new song] "Who am I that people see"..NCT Mark, first solo 'Child' written honestly. Kim. Ji-hye. February 4, 2022. The Korea Herald. ko. February 21, 2022. live. February 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204162410/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003528046.
  6. Web site: Watch NCT's MARK Sentimental Solo Release 'Child'. Dongre. Divyansha. February 4, 2022. Rolling Stone India. ko. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204110952/https://rollingstoneindia.com/watch-ncts-mark-sentimental-solo-release-child/. February 4, 2022. live.
  7. Web site: 2022년 06주차 Digital Chart. Week 06 of 2022 Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210021428/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=06&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. February 10, 2022. live.
  8. Web site: 2022년 06주차 Download Chart. Week 06 of 2022 Download Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210034529/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=06&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. February 10, 2022. live.
  9. Web site: 2022년 06주차 BGM Chart. Week 06 of 2022 BGM Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. February 16, 2022. live. February 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221162506/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1060&targetTime=06&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week.
  10. Web site: 2022년 06주차 Streaming Chart. Week 06 of 2022 Streaming Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210134400/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=06&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. February 10, 2022. live.
  11. Billboard K-pop 100 – Week of February 19, 2021. Billboard. February 16, 2022. live. February 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215144900/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2022-02-19/.
  12. Web site: Billboard Japan Top Download Songs – 2022/02/16 公開. Billboard Japan Top Download Songs – February 16, 2021 Publication. Billboard Japan. ja. February 16, 2022. https://archive.today/20220216215958/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs. February 16, 2022. dead.
  13. Web site: RIM Charts Top 20. February 18, 2022. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. en. live. February 20, 2022. March 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220304214450/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRecordingIndustryMalaysia%2Fphotos%2Fpcb.5467650303262295%2F5467650259928966.
  14. Web site: RIAS Top Charts – Week 6 . Recording Industry Association Singapore. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215203021/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. February 15, 2022. unfit.
  15. Billboard Indonesia Songs – Week of February 19, 2021. Billboard. February 21, 2022. live. February 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215183553/https://www.billboard.com/charts/indonesia-songs-hotw/2022-02-19/.
  16. Billboard Thailand Songs – Week of February 19, 2021. Billboard. February 21, 2022. live. February 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215211337/https://www.billboard.com/charts/thailand-songs-hotw/2022-02-19/.
  17. Web site: Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 – Week of February 17, 2022. Billboard Vietnam. vi. February 24, 2022. February 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220217133957/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/. dead.
  18. World Digital Song Sales – Week of February 19, 2022. Billboard. February 16, 2022. subscription. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102091410/https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-digital-song-sales/2021-11-06. November 2, 2021. live.
  19. Billboard Global Excl. US – Week of February 19, 2022. Billboard. February 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215123503/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-excl-us/2022-02-19/. February 15, 2022. live.
  20. Web site: http://www.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1096326?ref=naver. ko:NCT 마크·DAY6 원필, '첫 솔로' 수식어로만 담긴 아깝다[SS뮤직]. NCT Mark · DAY6 Wonpil, 'first solo' is a waste of only modifiers [SS Music]. Jeong. Ha-eun. February 9, 2022. Sports Seoul. ko. February 21, 2022. February 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220213172333/http://www.sportsseoul.com/news/read/1096326?ref=naver. live.
  21. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000657813. ko:[HI★초점] 방탄 RM→NCT 마크...수필식 가사의 매력. [HI Focus] BTS RM → NCT Mark... The charm of essay-style lyrics. Hong. Hye-min. February 12, 2022. Hankook Ilbo. ko. February 21, 2022. February 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220212045927/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000657813. live.
  22. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000539483. ko:“너가 바란대론 못 돼” NCT 마크, 첫 솔로 ‘Child’에 담아낸 고민[들어보고서]. “It can’t be as you hoped” NCT Mark, the worries expressed in the first solo 'Child' [report]. Lee. Min-ji. February 4, 2022. Newsen. ko. March 4, 2022. live. February 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204103314/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000539483.
  23. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004551210. ko:“난 누구야” NCT 마크, 자작곡에 담은 진솔한 이야기 ‘Child’ [퇴근길 신곡]. “Who am I?” NCT Mark, the sincere story of self-composed song 'Child' [new song on the way home from work]. Ji. Min-kyung. March 4, 2022. Osen. ko. March 4, 2022. live. February 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204103530/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004551210.
  24. Web site: Child Review. Lim. Dong-yeop. February 2022. IZM. ko. February 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220216205031/http://izm.co.kr/contentRead.asp?idx=31095&bigcateidx=8&subcateidx=10&view_tp=1. February 16, 2022. live.
  25. News: The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022. December 15, 2022. Teen Vogue. December 15, 2022.
  26. Web site: December 28, 2022 . 【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 . December 28, 2022 . Weibo . zh.
  27. Web site: https://www.wkorea.com/2022/06/06/%ec%a0%8a%ec%9d%80-%ec%9a%b0%eb%a6%ac-mv/. ko:90년대생 K팝 뮤비 감독 4인. Four K-Pop music video directors born in the 90s. Jeon. Yeo-wool. June 6, 2022. W Korea. ko. June 13, 2022.
  28. Web site: Mark Lee Explores the Fear of Growing Up in New Single "Child". Pawa. Vandana. February 4, 2022. Rolling Stone India. March 4, 2022. live. February 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219020937/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mark-lee-solo-single-child-music-video.
  29. Web site: NCT to drop new content on its YouTube channel every month. Shin. Min-hee. February 11, 2022. Korea JoongAng Daily. February 16, 2022. https://archive.today/20220216210444/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/640/0000021167. February 16, 2022. live.
  30. Web site: https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=10857610. ko:앨범 정보 - Child. Album Information - Child. ko. Melon. December 21, 2022.