Mark Lee Announces Departure from NCT, SM Entertainment Confirms in Statement

Mark Lee is leaving NCT.

The 26-year-old K-pop star has shared an emotional message announcing his departure from the boy band and SM Entertainment.

Mark posted a heartfelt letter on his Instagram for his fans, expressing gratitude for the support he’s received throughout his career. “Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you,” he wrote, crediting fans for loving and shaping him into who he is today.

Keep reading to find out more…

Mark reflected on the difficult decision, describing it as “not a closing door but rather an opening new one,” while acknowledging that the change is both exciting and frightening.

He emphasized that his choice was made with careful consideration, adding, “I’m not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys’ hearts.”

The rapper also reassured fans that they remain at the forefront of his thoughts, promising to work hard moving forward and to make his journey meaningful.

“I’m truly always thinking about you guys and I’ll really be working very, very hard to make it all make sense,” he shared.

Mark concluded his message with a simple but emotional goodbye, “Love you all so much… See you.”

SM Entertainment posted a statement on Weverse, confirming that they and Mark have come to a mutual decision to “conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8.”

He will finish all of his active projects or activities with NCT, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.

SM also said that NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group and NCT DREAM will continue as a six-member group.

Mark originally joined NCT in 2016. He released his debut studio solo album The Firstfruit in April 2025.

Here’s the full text of Mark’s statement.

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.

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… 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

Here is the full text of SM Entertainment’s statement.

Hello, this is SM Entertainment.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to fans who always send NCT their unwavering support.

After a long period of in-depth discussions with Mark regarding the direction of his future activities and following adequate conversations between both parties, we came to a mutual agreement to conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8.

Accordingly, Mark will end all NCT activities, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.

Since debuting in 2016 as part of NCT, Mark has demonstrated outstanding abilities not only in group promotions but also as a solo artist, showing remarkable activities over the past 10 years. We would like to convey our gratitude for the valuable time we have shared together, and we sincerely cheer on Mark as he leaves the team and begins a new leap forward.

Going forward, NCT 127 plans to continue activities with seven members—Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan—and NCT DREAM plans to continue activities with six members—Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.

We will continue to spare no effort in providing our full support for the activities of the NCT members, and we will do our utmost even more for the fans who continue to love NCT without change.

Thank you.