SM Entertainment confirms Mark Lee’s departure
SM Entertainment announced on April 3, 2026, that Mark Lee will leave both NCT and the agency after a long discussion about his future. In a statement shared with the public, the company said both sides agreed to end his exclusive contract on April 8, 2026, ten years after his debut as a part of the NCT universe. The news came as a surprise to many fans because Mark has been one of the most visible and active members of the NCT mega-group. In its statement, SM Entertainment thanked the 26-year-old for his work and support over the years, and asked fans to continue cheering for him in his next chapter.
Read the company’s statement here:
Mark Lee has built a major career over 10 years
Mark was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved to Seoul in 2012 to train under SM Entertainment. He made his official debut on April 9, 2016, as a member of NCT U. Later that same year, he also joined NCT 127 and NCT Dream, becoming an important member for both groups. Following his debut, he was also introduced as part of SuperM, which launched in 2019 but is inactive as of now. Mark also released solo music under SM, with one of his biggest moments coming in April 2025 thanks to his debut album, The Firstfruit. His departure now closes an important 10-year period with the company, following extensive work as a member of various groups and as a soloist.
NCT members react to the sudden news
Several NCT members, including Chenle, Jaemin, Jeno, and Haechan, supported Mark on his decisions. Jeno commented on his Instagram account, “Our leader hyung!! Let’s be happy.” Haechan spelled “I love you” in hangeul. Meanwhile, Doyoung took to social media to share a message for Mark and the fans, saying:
“Finally, there is one thing I want to state. If speculation arises about the relationship between Mark and the members, I’d feel an unbearable sense of sadness and injustice, so please allow us to cherish and protect the beautiful relationship we have shared with our fans for over 10 years.”
Read some of the translated messages posted on Weverse, Bubble, and Instagram below, translated from Korean to English:
What is next for NCT 127 and NCT DREAM?
SM Entertainment also confirmed that Mark will stop all activities connected to NCT, including work with NCT 127 and NCT Dream. After his exit, NCT 127 will continue with seven members: Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. Meanwhile, NCT Dream will continue with six: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. The announcement came only days after NCT Dream concluded their The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future tour in Seoul on March 29, 2026.
