the other side of GOT7’s Mark Tuan

Mark Tuan is back with his debut solo album! the other side, released globally on August 26, has garnered the attention of many with “20 Tracks” trending on Twitter after the impressive tracklist dropped ahead of the album’s official release. The 28-year-old GOT7 member has released multiple hit singles since the group’s departure from JYP Entertainment in 2021. Now he’s back with a full-length album and subsequent North American tour of the same name. the other side shows Mark’s unique sound while telling a story of heartbreak and loss. I recommend having a box of tissues on hand as we break down this hauntingly beautiful album track by track.

“running away”

the other side kicks off with “running away,” a relaxing track about leaving everything behind to start over. Mark keeps it short and sweet while effectively setting the tone of the album. It’s melancholic with a catchy beat that explores the theme of loneliness and failing relationships.

“no tears”

The second track is “no tears.” It has a similar vibe to “running away” in terms of melody, but the lyrics are the polar opposite. While “running away” is about leaving, Mark sings of coming home in “no tears.” The songs complete each other in a satisfying way; it’s clear why Mark chose to place them back to back on the album.

“imysm”

“imysm” was originally released as a single on July 1, 2022. The song opens with smooth guitar chords that repeat throughout the track, giving it a sentimental vibe. Mark debuted the song during his sold-out May fan meet in Bangkok. Like the title suggests, “imysm” explores the topic of lost love and longing for another person.

“change up”

Mark shows his stylistic range in “change up” as he sings and raps about staying true to himself. It easily became one of my favorite tracks on the album upon first listening. As he claims in “change up,” the other side solidifies that Mark Tuan belongs on stage.

“my name”

This next track is pure hip-hop in the best way. The lyrics of “my name” once again talk about performing and touring the world. If “running away” and “no tears” are two sides of one coin, the same can be said for “change up” and “my name.”  Fans can look forward to an energizing performance during Mark’s North American tour, kicking off in San Antonio on October 3.

“at my low”

The sixth track, “at my low,” dives back into the topic of a struggling relationship. Mark sings about leaning on another person during his lowest moments. The heavy synth lets you feel the song reverberating through your whole body, mirroring the lyrics well with the lines, “I can feel your pulse from 20 planets away, so when I’m at my low (low low), I know you make it okay,” repeating throughout the track.

“after hours (interlude)”

The album takes a dark turn with “after hours (interlude)” where Mark describes himself feeling “alone at the after party.” The track is overtly honest with an ominous undertone. It creates a sense of what is to come for the latter half of the other side.

“lonely”

“lonely” is another pre-release single that dropped earlier this year on March 24. The song was accompanied by a visualizer in which we see Mark singing alone in an empty room, with the word “lonely” painted on the floor. The track reached No.1 on the iTunes Top Songs Chart in over 30 countries. “lonely” features lyrics that express an urgent need to be left alone in order to protect oneself from further heartbreak.

“2 faces”

“2 faces” layers synth beats overtop a repeated chord progression and experiments with vocal modification to create a unique track. It complements the meaning behind the lyrics by keeping listeners on their toes. “2 faces” is about not quite knowing where you stand in a relationship and feeling confused by the other person’s actions. It’s easy to get lost in the song the way one might lose themselves in a significant other.

“only human”

Track 10 is both haunting and humbling. This is where that box of tissues comes into play. The emotional lyrics in “only human” speak of a unique experience not many can relate to. While it’s easy to understand the idea of struggling with self-worth, Mark writes about it from the perspective of someone who has been in the spotlight for the majority of his formative years. Mark Tuan left Los Angeles for Seoul in 2010 to become a trainee and went on to debut with GOT7 in 2014. The challenges of living up to other people’s expectations in the K-Pop industry can be insurmountable. Mark gives us a glimpse of this in “only human.” It serves as a stark reminder that despite putting forth a “perfect” image, you never truly know what your favorite artists are going through.

“my life”

The transition into “my life” is effortless. The eleventh track of the album was previously released as a single on January 21 of this year. Mark Tuan strips it down in this raw and honest track about losing oneself in a relationship and the hopelessness that follows. The melancholic piano combines with heart-wrenching lyrics to create a devastatingly beautiful ballad.

“exhausted”

The lyrics of “exhausted” focus on a different type of toxic relationship. Mark sings of feeling exhausted and trapped by the friends in his life, questioning whether they’d support him in his lowest moments. However, he goes on to mention that they still make him happy. It’s accompanied by a stunning melody with a combination of piano and synth. “exhausted” is a track that has the power to resonate with many young adults as they grow with and through friendships.

“save me”

Mark Tuan begs to be saved from his inner demons in “save me.” It was originally released as a single on April 7, 2022, less than a month after “lonely.” The visualizer features Mark singing alone in a room of flashing purple lights and smoke, enhancing the song’s psychedelic feel.

“let u go”

“let u go” uses guitar riffs and melodic beats to create a dreamlike track. It has a similar message to “running away,” stating the faults of a relationship and acknowledging that both parties might be better off if they simply let go. While some songs on the other side have comparable messages, each one could stand on its own. However, they work together to paint a beautiful story as you progress through the album.

“last breath”

“last breath” was the first pre-release single of the album, dropping almost a full year prior in November 2021. The song combines styles typical of both R&B and pop to create an easy-going vibe, but the meaning itself is rather emotional. “last breath” details a toxic relationship and the inability to put up with it any longer. It creates an overall bittersweet track that is both easy to listen to and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s incredible to see how Mark has developed as an artist and lyricist since the release of “last breath,” making it a great choice to include in the album.

“hard 2 love”

Mark plays with EDM in “hard 2 love,” creating a stand-out track. It’s a sharp contrast to previous songs, but fits perfectly between “last breath” and “broken.” With a 20-track album, it can be easy to fall into a repetitive nature, but the 28-year-old songwriter keeps it interesting by experimenting with a variety of genres. Despite the lyrics in track 16, there’s nothing hard to love about the other side.

“broken”

If Mark Tuan ever decides to write a book, I’ll be first in line to buy it. Whether the lyrics are simple or complex, he manages to tell a clear story that progresses with each song. The seventeenth track, “broken,” is no exception. In “hard 2 love,” Mark writes about feeling as if he’s always been a difficult person to care for. However, “broken” is a realization that maybe the love he thought was there never existed in the first place.

“selfish”

Mark’s vocals shine at the beginning of “selfish” with a satisfying beat drop after the chorus. It starts out slow and builds with each verse. As the title describes, “selfish” is about admitting fault in a relationship due to self-centered tendencies. It ends rather abruptly, leaving listeners wanting more.

“more”

The nineteenth track, “more,” is wistful with a captivating beat. It continues with the theme of “selfish,” as Mark sings about wishing he would have done more to save a failed relationship. The bright tune contrasts the regretful lyrics in a satisfying way, making it an easy-listening track. “more” ends as swiftly as it began, leading us into the final song of the album.

“far away”

The last track of the album, “far away” gives us a full circle ending to the tumultuous relationship detailed throughout the other side. Where “running away” is about leaving everything behind, “far away” is putting distance between oneself and someone who continues to let you down. There’s always a pull to go back, but it’s a pull Mark chooses to ignore. The message is as beautiful as the riff behind it. Mark’s debut solo album wraps up perfectly with “far away” and further proves he is a man of many talents.

the other side is available now on all streaming platforms.

Edited by Vivian N.