Click it and Unblock the Notifications
NCT Mark Leaves SM Entertainment: WHY Is Mark Lee Quitting The Group? Singer Drops BIG Hint In Note
Mark Lee Leaves NCT: In a surprising turn of events for K-pop fans, Mark Lee has officially announced his departure from all NCT units, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, as well as his longtime agency SM Entertainment. The news comes as another major shake-up in the industry, following recent headlines around Heeseung's ENHYPEN exit and Manon's hiatus from KATSEYE.
The emotional weight of the announcement was already felt during NCT DREAM's Seoul encore concert, where members were seen tearing up on stage, sparking concern among fans and fueling speculation about the group's future.
Mark Lee Leaves NCT: Mark's Contract With SM Entertainment To End On THIS Date
SM Entertainment has officially confirmed that Mark Lee will be departing from all NCT units, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, marking the end of his decade-long journey with the agency. The company announced via Weverse that his exclusive contract will come to an end on April 8.
Along with the announcement, the agency also shared updates on the groups' future. NCT 127 will continue promotions as a seven-member team-Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan-while NCT DREAM will move forward with six members: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.
In its official note, the agency stated, "The company has had in-depth discussions with Mark over a long period regarding his future activities, and after sufficient dialogue between both parties, we agreed to conclude the exclusive contract as of April 8."
The statement further read, "Since his debut in 2016 as a member of NCT, Mark has demonstrated outstanding capabilities not only in group activities but also as a solo artist, showcasing wonderful performances over the past 10 years. We express our gratitude for the precious time we spent together and sincerely wish Mark success as he embarks on a new journey after leaving the team."
NCT Mark Exit Reason: Why Is Mark Lee Leaving NCT & SM Entertainment
Soon after the official announcement, Mark Lee personally reached out to fans through a heartfelt handwritten letter shared in both Korean and English, addressing the unexpected news.
In his message, the 26-year-old opened up about his long-standing desire to explore a path as a solo artist. Reflecting on dreams he had even before his debut, Mark hinted that this decision is rooted in his wish to grow beyond group activities and shape his own artistic identity.
He wrote about wanting to "dive into a more concrete version" of himself, signaling his intention to focus on personal ambitions and creative goals that he has been envisioning for years. He also took a moment to thank his fellow NCT members and fans, expressing deep gratitude for their constant support throughout his journey.
Continue with Google