Mark Lee’s agency, Upper Room, has issued a public apology after photos of the artist wearing a vintage T-shirt featuring a Confederate flag design became viral online. The pictures began spreading on June 23, 2026, shortly after Mark posed with Korean content creator Magician Perry and appeared to be filming entertainment content. The racist symbol was clearly visible on the shirt, along with the word “Virginia” on one sleeve. Many fans and users quickly expressed disappointment because the Confederate flag has long been associated with racism, slavery, and white supremacy in the United States.
Upper Room accepts responsibility for the controversy
Following the negative online response, Upper Room released an official statement addressing the backlash. The company explained that the shirt had been chosen only as a vintage fashion item and said it later recognized the historical meaning of the design. According to the agency, efforts were made to ensure the flag would not appear in content, but the photos taken during the filming still were posted to social media. The agency, run by Mark Lee himself, apologized for not reviewing the outfit choice more carefully.
The company promises to improve its internal review process
In its statement, Upper Room said both the company and Mark Lee strongly reject racism, discrimination, hate, and intolerance. The agency accepted full responsibility for the use of the T-shirt and accepted the feedback from Mark Lee’s fan community. The agency also promised to strengthen its internal review process for wardrobe selection and content approval to prevent similar situations in the future. The apology comes only weeks after Mark launched Upper Room following his departure from SM Entertainment and NCT earlier in April 2026.
