On April 3, 2026, SM Entertainment confirmed what many fans had feared but few expected so soon: Mark Lee, one of the most versatile and beloved members of NCT, would be departing the group and the agency after a full decade together. His exclusive contract officially ended on April 8, just one day before his 10th debut anniversary on April 9. The announcement sent shockwaves through the global K-pop community and quickly became the most talked-about entertainment story of the year.
A Decade of Dedication: Mark's Journey with NCT
Born Mark Lee in Toronto, Canada, on August 2, 1999, the young artist moved to South Korea as a teenager to pursue his dream of becoming a K-pop idol. He officially joined SM Entertainment as a trainee and debuted on April 9, 2016, as a member of NCT U, making him one of the original members of the NCT project. Over the next ten years, Mark became the only idol to simultaneously hold positions in three NCT subunits: NCT U, NCT 127, and NCT DREAM.
His role in the group was nothing short of extraordinary. As the main rapper across all three subunits, Mark was widely regarded as one of the most talented and hardworking idols of his generation. He participated in almost every major NCT release, contributed to songwriting and production, and became a bridge between the group's Korean and international fanbases thanks to his fluency in both English and Korean. Industry insiders often pointed to Mark as a key reason for NCT's global success, particularly in North America.
Beyond his group activities, Mark made his mark as a solo artist with well-received tracks and collaborations, further establishing himself as a multifaceted performer capable of excelling in hip-hop, R&B, and pop genres. His appearance on variety shows and his naturally charismatic personality earned him a loyal individual fanbase that transcended the typical boundaries of K-pop fandom.
The Announcement: Mutual Agreement After Deep Discussions
SM Entertainment's official statement was characteristically measured but clear. The agency said: "After a long period of in-depth discussions with Mark regarding the direction of his future activities and following adequate conversations between both parties, SM Entertainment and Mark came to a mutual agreement to conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8." The agency expressed gratitude for Mark's contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors.
What made the announcement particularly poignant was its timing. Mark's contract ended on April 8, exactly one day before his debut anniversary on April 9. The symbolism was not lost on fans, who noted that Mark chose to close this chapter just before what would have been the start of his 11th year with NCT. The decision appeared to have been made with both deliberation and a sense of personal closure.
Mark's Handwritten Letter: A Window Into His Heart
Shortly after the official announcement, Mark shared a handwritten letter on his personal social media accounts that quickly went viral. In the deeply personal message, he reflected on his decade-long journey and revealed the dreams that motivated his departure.
"I debuted as NCT U on April 9, 2016, and now that it's already April 2026, a full 10 years have truly passed," Mark wrote. He acknowledged that the news might feel sudden but explained that it was the result of long and careful reflection. The most striking passage came when he described a dream that predated even his trainee days: "Since my trainee days—or maybe even before that—I dreamed of traveling around with just an acoustic guitar, busking on the streets. I loved writing in English so much that I even wanted to become a writer."
Mark continued: "After experiencing the world through ten years of activities, I've been thinking deeply about what I truly want to achieve as 'Mark.' I got curious about what the completed version of my dream would look like, and I wanted to properly dive in and find out." He assured fans that every member of NCT supported his decision, saying "not a single one was left out—they all told me they were cheering me on."
Impact on NCT: Restructuring the Lineup
Mark's departure has significant implications for NCT's operational structure. NCT 127, which has been one of SM's flagship groups since 2016, will now continue as a 7-member unit consisting of Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. NCT DREAM, the subunit that originally had a graduation concept before it was scrapped, will promote as a 6-member group.
The loss of Mark is particularly impactful because he served as the main rapper in both groups and was often the center of key choreography sections. His absence will require both units to redistribute parts and potentially restructure their musical direction. SM Entertainment has not yet commented on how future NCT releases will adapt to the change, but industry analysts expect the agency to lean more heavily on the remaining members' vocal and performance strengths.
Adding to the upheaval, just three days after Mark's announcement, SM confirmed on April 6 that Ten would also be concluding his contract on April 8. However, unlike Mark, Ten is expected to continue participating in select NCT and WayV activities on a project basis.
The Broader Context: A Pattern of SM Departures
Mark's exit is part of a growing trend of high-profile departures from SM Entertainment in recent years. The agency, which once held an almost unbreakable grip on its artists through notoriously long contracts, has seen a steady stream of talent leaving as contracts expire. BoA, the legendary "Queen of K-pop," also recently concluded her time with SM, marking the end of an era that stretched back to the early 2000s.
Industry observers note that the K-pop landscape has fundamentally shifted. With streaming revenue, social media presence, and international touring becoming primary income sources, top-tier artists now have more leverage and viable paths outside the traditional agency system. For someone like Mark, who has built a massive global following and possesses the language skills and creative ambition to operate independently, the calculus of staying versus leaving has clearly tipped in favor of autonomy.
What Comes Next for Mark Lee?
While Mark has not announced a new agency affiliation or a specific solo project timeline, his farewell letter provides clear hints about his artistic direction. The emphasis on busking, acoustic guitar, and English-language writing suggests a move toward a more indie or singer-songwriter aesthetic, a stark departure from the polished, high-production K-pop sound he's been associated with for the past decade.
At 27 years old (26 by international age), Mark is at an age where many K-pop idols face the question of military service. However, as a Canadian citizen, Mark is exempt from South Korean mandatory military service, giving him the freedom to pursue his career without the interruption that many of his peers must navigate. This exemption, combined with his bilingual abilities and international background, positions him uniquely in the global music market.
Fan communities have already begun speculating about potential collaborations with Western artists, independent music releases, and even a possible foray into acting or writing. Whatever path Mark chooses, he carries with him the goodwill of millions of fans worldwide and a decade of experience at the highest level of the entertainment industry.
Fan Reactions: Grief, Pride, and Hope
The reaction from NCT's fanbase, known as NCTzens, has been a complex mixture of heartbreak and supportive admiration. Social media was flooded with tribute posts, compilation videos of Mark's best moments, and heartfelt messages thanking him for ten years of dedication. Hashtags related to Mark's departure trended worldwide on multiple platforms within hours of the announcement.
Many fans expressed that while the news was painful, they respected Mark's courage in choosing to follow his own creative vision. "He gave us ten years of everything he had. Now it's his turn to chase his own dreams," wrote one fan in a post that was shared tens of thousands of times. Others noted that Mark's decision to leave at the peak of his career, rather than fading away, demonstrated the same integrity and thoughtfulness that had always defined him as an artist and public figure.
As the K-pop world absorbs the reality of NCT without Mark Lee, one thing remains clear: his legacy within the group is cemented, and his future beyond it is limited only by his own ambition.
한글 요약
NCT의 핵심 멤버 마크(Mark Lee)가 2026년 4월 8일자로 SM엔터테인먼트와의 전속계약을 종료하고 NCT의 모든 유닛(NCT U, NCT 127, NCT DREAM)에서 탈퇴했습니다. 데뷔 10주년을 하루 앞둔 시점에 발표된 이번 결정은 오랜 고민 끝에 내려진 것으로, 마크는 자필 편지를 통해 "어쿠스틱 기타 하나로 버스킹을 하고, 영어로 글을 쓰는 것이 꿈이었다"고 밝혔습니다. 마크의 탈퇴로 NCT 127은 7인 체제, NCT DREAM은 6인 체제로 전환되며, 3일 후 텐(Ten)의 계약 종료도 발표되었습니다. 캐나다 국적으로 병역 의무가 없는 마크는 27세의 나이에 솔로 아티스트로서 새로운 음악 여정을 시작할 예정입니다.