NCT Dream and NCT 127 member Mark Lee has announced that he is leaving the subunits of K-pop group NCT after a decade with the SM Entertainment acts. The 26-year-old Canadian-born rapper/singer announced his move in a lengthy, emotional note to fans
In a statement shared with Billboard, SM Entertainment confirmed that MARK would be departing the 24-member group exactly 10 years after he first joined the collective. “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,” the company said.
The statement praised MARK for demonstrating “outstanding abilities” in the group and as a solo act,” saying they “sincerely cheer” him on in his future endeavors. The company also clarified that going forward NCT 127 will continue with seven members — JOHNNY, TAEYONG, YUTA, DOYOUNG, JAEHYUN, JUNGWOO and HAECHAN — and that NCT Dream will move forward with six members — RENJUN, JENO, HAECHAN, JAEMIN, CHENLE and JISUNG.
MARK, who joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2012, graduating from the SM Rookies program to the NCT subunit NCT U in 2016 and then quickly moving up to NCT 127 and its fellow subunit NCT Dream, thanked fans for their devotion in his letter, posted in English and Korean on Friday morning. “Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you,” he wrote, just days after Lee and his fellow NCT Dream bandmates wrapped up their world tour with a six-show run in Seoul, South Korea.
“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.”
He expressed a hope, and some trepidation, about his next chapter — the details of which he did not disclose — saying that he will “never forget the pieces of love and truth” that the band’s fans, known as Czennie, have shared with him. “I’m not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys’ hearts,” he added. “You guys make me want to be a better person, and I hope my decision 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.”
At press time a spokesperson for the group had not returned Billboard‘s request for further information on MARK’s future plans.
MARK released his debut solo album, The Firstfirst, in April 2025.