Mark Lee of NCT Concludes Exclusive Contract with SM Entertainment and Leaves All Group Units

K-pop Star Mark Lee Concludes Tenure with SM Entertainment

Mark Lee, the distinguished K-pop artist, has officially severed ties with SM Entertainment, marking the end of an era as his exclusive contract expired on April 8, 2026. This transition signifies the conclusion of his membership in the revered groups NCT, NCT 127, and NCT Dream, following a decade of remarkable achievements with the agency.

Official Announcement from SM Entertainment

The news broke on April 3, 2026, through a statement released on Weverse by SM Entertainment. The agency revealed that the decision was the result of extensive discussions with Mark regarding his career trajectory and followed collaborative conversations to finalize this mutual agreement.

Impact on NCT Group Dynamics

Following Mark’s departure, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member ensemble, consisting of Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. Meanwhile, NCT Dream will operate as a six-member group composed of Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung, as reported by Allkpop.

Emotional Farewell Following World Tour

This significant announcement came shortly after NCT Dream completed the final leg of their world tour, “The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future, ”which finished in Seoul on March 29, 2026. The tour, which commenced in July 2025, traversed major venues across Asia and was filled with emotional farewells, as fans noted tearful moments among the members during the last concert.

Mark’s Reflective Message to Fans

In response to this transition, Mark shared a heartfelt handwritten letter on Instagram, directed at his fans and group members. He reflected on his time with NCT as profoundly rewarding, revealing a personal aspiration to explore the world while performing music with his acoustic guitar. He expressed gratitude to his members for their unwavering support and acknowledged his fans for filling his life with happiness over the past decade.

Mark Lee’s Journey with SM Entertainment

Born on August 2, 1999, in Toronto, Canada, Mark joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2012 after successfully passing the SM Global Audition held in Vancouver. He debuted as part of NCT U on April 9, 2016, with the track “The 7th Sense”and subsequently became a member of both NCT 127 and NCT Dream later that year.

Achievements and Future Aspirations

Mark’s illustrious career also included being a part of the SM supergroup SuperM, which debuted in 2019. His first solo studio album, “The Firstfruit, ”was released on April 7, 2025, debuting at the top spot on Korea’s Circle Album Chart and achieving over 500, 000 copies sold, culminating in a Platinum certification.

Support from SM Entertainment

SM Entertainment concluded their statement by expressing their deep appreciation for Mark’s contributions during his time with them. They emphasized their support for him as he embarks on this new chapter in his career, affirming their belief in his potential to achieve great things in the future, as reported by GMA Network.