Mark Lee, a long-standing member of the South Korean boy group NCT, announced on July 3 that he has officially ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, confirming his departure from the group. This change will prompt lineup adjustments for both NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member unit featuring Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Yunyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan, while NCT DREAM will remain a six-member group with Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.
Emotional Seoul Concert Moments And Personal Letter Hinted At Mark Lee Departure
Fans had sensed the possibility of Mark’s departure during NCT DREAM’s encore concert in Seoul on March 29. During the performance of “Rainbow,” Mark became emotional and broke down on stage. Renjun and Haechan comforted him, and Jisung also struggled to maintain composure during his solo performance of “My Youth,” needing help from Jeno and Jaemin. These emotional moments fueled speculation about his future with the group, which has now been confirmed.
Mark shared a handwritten letter on Instagram reflecting on his ten-year journey with NCT U. He expressed gratitude for the experiences and memories accumulated over the past decade and revealed his desire to explore personal dreams, such as playing guitar in public and pursuing writing in English. He emphasized that his time in NCT helped him grow as an individual and as an artist.
Mark Lee Aims To Explore Personal Musical Style And Creative Storytelling Opportunities
In his statement, Mark highlighted the importance of his passion for music, noting that he now hopes to discover his own musical style and share it with the world. While he did not provide specifics about upcoming projects, he expressed excitement about pursuing the type of music he truly wants to create and the stories he wants to tell.
Mark’s exit marks a pivotal moment in NCT’s history, leaving fans heartbroken while opening a new chapter in his personal and artistic journey. His departure closes a significant era in his career while providing opportunities for creative exploration.
