Mark Lee is officially leaving NCT after 10 years and exiting SM Entertainment, the company announced on April 3, 2026.
SM Entertainment announced Mark's departure from NCT and the company as a whole in a statement posted on Weverse. “We would like to sincerely thank all fans for your continued love and support for NCT. After a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion with Mark regarding his future activities, we have mutually agreed to conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8,” the statement reads.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Mark Lee moved to Seoul in 2012 to join SM Entertainment as a trainee. He officially debuted as an idol on April 9, 2016, as part of NCT U, and months later as part of NCT 127 and NCT Dream. He was also part of SuperM from 2019 and released various solo projects under SM, including his debut studio album as a soloist, The Firstfruit, in April 2025.
According to SM Entertainment's statement, Mark will stop all activities as a member of NCT upon the conclusion of his contract, including those with NCT 127 and NCT Dream. “Moving forward, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group consisting of Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. NCT Dream will continue as a six-member group consisting of Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung," the company clarified.
“Since his debut with NCT in 2016, Mark has demonstrated exceptional talent and versatility through both group and solo activities and has delivered remarkable performances over the years. We are truly grateful for the time he spent with us, and we wholeheartedly support him as he begins a new chapter in his journey,” the statement also read.
Following news of his departure from the company and the groups, Mark took to Instagram to address fans directly with a hand-penned note both in Korean and English.
“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,” Mark's English note reads. “I truly believe that our hearts have better sight than our eyes, and what my heart sees right now isn't a closing door but rather an opening new one. I hope our next chapter together could be where we are all healthily smiling about the past, welcoming the present, and being excited for what's to come. It's a quest that I myself am scared about, but I know that it's not for the worst. If I had ever done something right to have gained your trust over the last decade, I hope you believe me when I say that I'm not doing this just for fun….”
“I will never forget the pieces of love and truth each and every Czennie gave me,” the note continued. “I'm not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys' hearts... You guys make me want to be a better person, and I hope my decisions in life can only become a positive impact to anyone watching. I'm truly and always thinking about you guys and I'll really be working very, very hard to make it all make sense. Love you all so much.… See you.”
You can see his post below:
Instagram content
A handful of NCT members, including Chenle, Jaemin, Jeno, and Haechan, left supportive comments in Mark's comment section. “Our leader hyung!! Let's be happy,” Jeno wrote, in Korean. “I love you,” Haechan spelled out in hangeul. Doyoung also took to his own social channel to share a message for Mark and fans on his IG stories.
“I felt that just waiting for time to pass without saying anything would be neither like me nor like NCT 127, so I will express my feelings in my own words,” Doyoung wrote in Korean, sharing his unwavering love for Mark. He also admitted he decided to listen to his feelings and support his choice, and reassured fans that NCT 127 will remain strong as a team.
“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,” Doyoung continued, adding that while he understands fans might be sad, and he can't force the sadness away, they will try to bring happiness in the future.
News of Mark's exit arrives just as NCT Dream wrapped up their The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future tour on March 29, 2026, in Seoul, which was also livestreamed. The members wrapped up the tour with an emotional finale that reportedly saw multiple members breaking down in tears, as noted by fans online.
