“It’s like when Zayn left One Direction.” “It’s like if SpongeBob left the Krusty Krab.” “It’s like when Jesus left his disciples.” “It’s like when Chuu left Loona.” These were all phrases used by netizens in response to the news that K-pop idol Mark Lee was leaving the group NCT.
On April 3rd, 2026, SM Entertainment announced that after his contract expired, Mark would be leaving Neo Culture Technology (NCT), one of the world’s largest K-pop Groups, and SM Entertainment after 10 years of working together. The notice was posted to the fan community app Weverse, where the entertainment company stated that, “After a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion with MARK regarding his future activities, we have mutually agreed to conclude his exclusive contract as of April 8.” They then go on to note that Mark would be leaving both NCT 127 and NCT Dream. Shortly after this notice was posted, Mark took to his Instagram and shared a handwritten note in both Korean and English expressing his gratitude to his fans for their continued support throughout the years. “It’s a quest that I myself am scared about,” Mark states in his note, “but I know that it’s not for the worst.”
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Mark Lee left for Seoul in 2012 at the age of 13 to become a trainee at SM Entertainment. After training for 4 years, he debuted with NCT U on April 9th, 2016, and soon after debuted with NCT 127 in July and NCT Dream in August of the same year. He was also a part of SuperM in 2019, and debuted as a soloist last year with his first full album in April of last year. Mark was in SM Entertainment for 14 years before leaving. This goes to show how important he was not only to NCT but to SM as well. This is what led one user on X to post, “Mark leaving NCT is like SpongeBob quitting the Krusty Krab. Like good for him, he was overworked, but like that’s the employee of the month every month.” Another user posted, “I don’t stan NCT and I honestly don’t know much about them, but I know Mark…like that’s Mr. NCT…” “Truly never knew that this was an option that could or would occur in this timeline,” one other user posted.
After Mark posted his departure letter on his Instagram, fans, friends he’s made in the industry, and even his fellow members commented to show their support. Fellow NCT Dream member Jeno commented, “Our leader! Let’s be happy!” Jaemin, another NCT Dream member, commented, “Baby don’t be sad, I’ll give you a kiss. Love you.”Even the Ralph Lauren Korea staff, for whom Mark is a brand ambassador, posted Mark on their story saying that, “We’ve got your back no matter what. Support you not just 200 times but so, so, sooo much more.”
This was such an unexpected announcement that @AboutMusicYT on X reported that Mark has generated 5 million posts on the app in the first day following his departure from NCT. Media outlets like Billboard, People, L’Officiel, Teen Vogue, and even Forbes reported on the matter.
Personally, as a fan of NCT Dream for the past couple of years, I was very saddened by the news. Waking up Friday morning to a text from my friend saying, “Just saw what happened with Mark, I’m so sorry,” was not how I wanted to start my weekend. Every social media app I went to, TikTok, X, Instagram, and Pinterest, I couldn’t escape people talking about it. As of writing this, my entire X timeline is still full of people talking about it, posting edits or photo collages, offering their two cents, etc. I truly feel sorry for how Mark has to leave the people he’s worked and grown up with over the past decade. Especially his members, whom he has repeatedly said are like his family. However, he made it known that he wanted to leave of his own accord, stating in his Instagram post that this was not a “closing door but rather opening a new one.” So I’m excited for what’s to come, as he has been an integral pillar for the NCT brand and a mainstay within SM Entertainment.
Words by Clayton Creech