K-pop Star Mark Lee Departing SM Entertainment, NCT 127 and NCT Dream
Mark Lee at Incheon International Airport.
iMBC/Imazins via Getty Images
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K-pop agency SM Entertainment has announced that Mark Lee is departing the label and boy group NCT, along with its subunits NCT 127 and NCT Dream.
The 26-year-old’s exit from the group was announced in a statement released on the fan platform Weverse Friday afternoon Korean local time. “After a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion with Mark regarding his future activities, we have mutually agreed to conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8,” the statement reads. “Mark will conclude all activities as a member of NCT, including NCT 127 and NCT Dream.”
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Lee has been a member of the now-24-member boy group NCT since its inception in 2016. The group introduced a first-of-its-kind system that broke it down into several smaller groups, known as subunits, which included both rotating and fixed member configurations. Earlier this week, Lee and the members of NCT Dream concluded their world tour with six shows in Seoul.
“Since his debut with NCT in 2016, Mark has demonstrated exceptional talent and versatility through both group and solo activities and has delivered remarkable performances over the years,” SM Entertainment said in the Weverse statement. “We are truly grateful for the time he spent with us, and we wholeheartedly support him as he begins a new chapter in his journey.”
The Korean label confirmed in their statement that NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group (Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan) and NCT Dream will continue as a six-member group (Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung).
Lee took to Instagram to share a message to fans in both Korean and English. “Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you. Thank you for loving, supporting and shaping me to become who I am today,” he said in the post.
“I will never forget the pieces of love and truth each and every Czennie (NCT’s fanbase) gave me. I’m not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys’ hearts,” he later said in the post, which several members of NCT commented under showing Lee support. “You guys make me want to be a better person, and I hope my decisions in life can only become a positive impact to anyone watching.”
Lee released his first solo album, The Firstfirst, nearly one year ago in April 2025. “I think this album helped me find myself,” the Canadian-born rapper told THR ahead of that release.
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