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Mark announces departure from NCT, SM Entertainment after 10 years

Published: 03 Apr. 2026, 15:34 Updated: 05 Apr. 2026, 17:21

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

Mark of boy band NCT waves during a promotional event for a cosmetic brand at Stage35 Seongsu in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul on Nov. 24, 2025. [NEWS1]

Mark of boy band NCT will leave SM Entertainment and end all activities with the band as of next Wednesday, SM Entertainment announced on Friday.

Mark and SM Entertainment reached a mutual agreement to conclude Mark’s exclusive contract after extensive conversations, according to the agency. As a result, Mark will no longer participate in NCT 127, NCT Dream or any other NCT-related activities.

The agency did not state a reason for Mark's departure.

“It has been 10 years since I debuted as NCT U on April 9, 2016, and there has been a lot that has happened,” Mark said in a handwritten letter to fans uploaded on his Instagram account on Friday. “I always liked to go busking with just an acoustic guitar, and loved writing in English, wanting to become an author.”

“I know this news will come as a surprise to everyone, but I have always had a dream that I have held close to my heart,” Mark continued.

“I started my beginning as NCT at SM Entertainment, and through that, I could know myself better and find my best self, for which I will be eternally grateful,” he wrote. “After 10 years, I want to dive into a more concrete version of myself. All NCT members encouraged me and gave me wisdom on this new dive I want to take. I will always root for and love NCT.”

Mark debuted in 2016 as a member of NCT and has since been active both as part of the group and as a solo artist. SM thanked him for what it called “10 years of meaningful work together” and said it would support his new start outside the company.

Following his departure, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group with Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan. NCT Dream will move forward with six members: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung.

SM added that it will continue to support the remaining NCT members and thanked fans for their continued support of the group.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]