Mark Lee Set To Leave NCT And SM Entertainment
mark lee, a founding member of NCT, will conclude his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment as of April 8 (ET) and will end all activities with NCT, including NCT 127 and NCT Dream. SM Entertainment said the decision followed lengthy, in-depth discussions about future activity directions. The agency expressed gratitude for the time it spent with mark lee and pledged support for his next steps.
Details of the exit
SM Entertainment announced that after sufficient dialogue it agreed to conclude the exclusive contract on April 8 (ET). The statement made clear mark lee will end all NCT activities, including participation in subunits NCT 127 and NCT Dream. The company listed the member lineups that will continue without him: NCT 127 will move forward as a seven-member unit with Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan; NCT Dream will continue with Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung.
The announcement singled out mark lee’s decade of work with the group, noting his performances in group and solo roles since debuting with NCT. SM Entertainment said it is grateful for the time it walked with mark lee and that it will sincerely support his future as he departs the team to begin a new chapter.
Mark Lee statement and immediate reactions
Mark Lee wrote directly about his departure and expressed thanks to fans. He wrote, “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. ” The message added that he will never forget the love and truth he received from fans and that he hopes his decisions become a positive impact for those watching.
SM Entertainment emphasized the outcome was reached after prolonged discussion and mutual agreement. The agency stated, “We discussed in depth with Mark about the direction of future activities for a long time, and after sufficient dialogue, we agreed to conclude the exclusive contract on April 8. ” The label also reaffirmed its commitment to provide full support for remaining NCT members and for fans who support the groups.
Quick context
mark lee debuted with NCT in 2016 and has performed with the project in multiple unit configurations. He also released a solo album earlier in his career and concluded recent group touring activity before this announcement.
What’s next
SM Entertainment said it will support mark lee as he leaves the team and starts a new leap forward, and the company confirmed both subunits will continue their activities without him. Expect agency updates on any formal transition arrangements and statements from mark lee in the coming days; management and the artist have framed this as a mutual, deliberate conclusion to the exclusive contract that took effect on April 8 (ET).
