Mark Nct departure exposes a decade-long contradiction between farewell gratitude and immediate contract end

Bassyonni

Published: April 3, 2026 3:38 AM ET

Mark Nct departure exposes a decade-long contradiction between farewell gratitude and immediate contract end

mark nct leaves NCT after a decade: SM Entertainment and Mark Lee framed the split as a mutual conclusion of an exclusive contract on April 8, following long discussions, while Mark’s handwritten letter looks back on 10 years of activity and thanks members and fans.

Why did Mark Nct leave now?

Verified facts: SM Entertainment (the agency) announced that it and Mark Lee (member of NCT) held long and in-depth discussions and agreed to conclude their exclusive contract effective April 8. SM Entertainment stated that Mark will end all NCT activities, including participation in NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. The agency expressed gratitude for Mark’s decade with the group and pledged to support his future as he leaves.

Analysis: The agency statement frames the outcome as a negotiated conclusion rather than a unilateral termination. The timing — framed as the result of extended dialogue — suggests both parties settled terms that allowed Mark Lee to step away from group commitments while SM Entertainment plans to maintain NCT’s unit activities without him.

What did Mark Lee’s handwritten letter reveal about his decision?

Verified facts: Mark Lee released a handwritten letter reflecting on his more-than-10-year journey since debuting as NCT U on April 9, 2016. In the letter he thanked NCT members, SM Entertainment, and fans (addressed as Czennie), described many stages and memories, and explained he had long-held personal dreams — including busking with an acoustic guitar and writing — that contributed to his decision to open a new chapter. He wrote that members supported his decision and that he felt grateful and apologetic toward them. In a separate posting, Mark thanked fans for continuous support, said he would work “very very hard” to make the change make sense, and closed with a “See you. “

Analysis: Mark Lee’s language emphasizes personal aspiration and gratitude. He frames the departure as a deliberate, introspective step toward pursuing artistic goals beyond the group framework. The handwritten format and repeated expressions of thanks underline a desire to preserve relationships with fans and colleagues even as he ends group activity.

Who benefits, who is implicated, and what must be explained next?

Verified facts: SM Entertainment said NCT 127 will continue activities with seven members named as Johnny, Taeyong, Utah, DOYOUNG, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. SM Entertainment also said NCT DREAM will continue with six members named as Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. The agency pledged continued full support for NCT members’ activities and expressed thanks to fans who support the group.

SM Entertainment: confirmed contract conclusion and future lineups for NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.

Analysis: The immediate operational consequence is clear: both NCT units named will proceed without Mark Lee. SM Entertainment positions itself as a sustaining institution that will support remaining members and maintain group continuity. Mark Lee positions himself as an artist stepping toward personal projects while preserving goodwill. The central tension is the simultaneous public celebration of a 10-year legacy and the abrupt administrative closure of his exclusive contract.

Accountability and next steps (analysis framed as recommendations): For fans and stakeholders seeking clarity, SM Entertainment and Mark Lee have provided the core facts but left operational details unaddressed in the public statements: the scope of post-contract support, any ongoing commitments tied to prior group work, and how the agency will manage scheduled group activities now that Mark Lee has concluded his exclusive contract. Transparency on those points would align the expressed gratitude with the practical realities faced by the group and its audience.

Conclusion — verified fact and forward look: Both Mark Lee and SM Entertainment state the outcome as a mutual, negotiated conclusion: the exclusive contract ends as of April 8 and Mark will end all NCT activities while the two NCT units continue with refreshed member lineups. The verified record combines a decade-long retrospective from Mark Lee and an agency confirmation of a contractual conclusion and roster plans. For fans, industry observers, and the members themselves, the coming weeks must answer how this transition is translated into concrete plans and supports — and how Mark Lee’s next steps as an artist will unfold now that he has formally concluded his role in mark nct.