NCT’s Mark Lee is stepping away from the group and SM Entertainment after 10 years, closing a defining chapter in one of K-pop’s most globally influential acts and setting the stage for a deeply personal new beginning.
The announcement, confirmed by SM Entertainment on April 3, 2026, revealed that Mark’s exclusive contract will officially end on April 8 following “a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion” about his future. With this, he will conclude all activities with NCT, including both NCT 127 and NCT DREAM—two units where he has been a central figure since debut.
For fans worldwide, the timing and tone of the announcement came as a shock. Mark himself acknowledged this in a handwritten letter shared on social media, calling the decision sudden but long-considered.
A decade-long journey, and a turning point
Mark traced his journey back more than a decade—before debut, even before training—when he dreamed of traveling with an acoustic guitar, busking, and writing in English. That passion led him to audition in Canada 14 years ago, eventually joining SM Entertainment and debuting as part of NCT in 2016.
“As my 10-year contract comes to an end, I’ve been deeply contemplating what my music truly is and how I want to present it,” he wrote. “I wanted to find what kind of ‘fruit’ my music would become.”
The decision, he explained, wasn’t made lightly. Mark revealed he had long conversations with each NCT member, and every one of them supported his choice. Still, he admitted feeling both “eternally grateful” and deeply sorry—highlighting the emotional weight of leaving behind a group he helped build.
SM Entertainment echoed that sentiment, thanking Mark for his contributions since debut and praising his “exceptional talent and versatility” across group and solo work.
Fans, impact, and what comes next
In his message, Mark directly addressed fans—Czennies—apologizing for the abruptness of the news and acknowledging the hurt it may cause. “My heart is heavy,” he admitted, adding that he had spent a long time thinking about how to share this moment in the most respectful way.
He emphasized that this is not an ending, but a transition. “What my heart sees right now isn’t a closing door but an opening new one,” he wrote, describing his next chapter as something both exciting and uncertain.
Mark also reassured fans that his decision wasn’t impulsive: “If I’ve earned your trust over the last decade, I hope you believe I’m not doing this just for fun.”
His departure brings immediate structural changes to NCT. NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group—Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan—while NCT DREAM will move forward with six members—Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.
The shift is significant not just for the group, but for the wider K-pop industry. As more artists reach the end of long-term contracts, decisions like Mark’s reflect a growing desire among idols to explore independent artistry and redefine their creative identities.
Over the past decade, Mark has been at the center of NCT’s global rise, contributing to major hits like “Kick It,” “Hot Sauce,” “Make A Wish,” and “Love Talk.” His ability to move seamlessly between units and styles made him one of the most recognizable faces of the NCT brand.
Now, as he steps away from that system, the focus shifts to what comes next: a solo path shaped not by structure, but by the personal dreams he carried long before the spotlight.
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