AceShowbiz - Mark Lee, the Canadian-born rapper and singer known for his roles in NCT Dream and NCT 127, has officially announced his departure from both subunits of the K-pop collective NCT after ten years of active participation under SM Entertainment.

The announcement came through an emotional and detailed letter addressed to fans, expressing gratitude and reflecting on his journey with the group. This message was shared shortly after Mark Lee and his NCT Dream bandmates concluded their world tour with a six-show finale in Seoul, South Korea.

SM Entertainment released an official statement confirming Mark’s exit from the 24-member NCT group. The agency explained that after extensive discussions regarding his future career path, both parties reached a mutual agreement to end his exclusive contract effective April 8. Consequently, Mark will cease all activities involving NCT, including his participation in NCT 127 and NCT Dream.

The company lauded Mark for his exceptional talents and contributions both as part of the group and as a solo artist, emphasizing that they sincerely support his future endeavors. SM Entertainment also outlined the updated lineups for the two NCT subunits going forward: NCT 127 will continue with seven members — Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan — while NCT Dream will proceed with six members — Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.

Mark began his journey with SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2012, progressing through the SM Rookies program before debuting with the NCT subunit NCT U in 2016 and quickly joining NCT 127 and NCT Dream. In his heartfelt letter posted in both English and Korean, he expressed deep appreciation to the fans for their unwavering support and love throughout his career.

“Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you,” Mark wrote, highlighting his belief that his heart perceives this moment not as an ending but as the opening of a new chapter. He acknowledged the complexity of the decision and his hopes for the future, though he did not disclose specific plans beyond this transition.

Expressing sincere thanks to the fandom, known as Czennie, Mark promised he would cherish the love and truth shared between them. He reassured fans that his decision was made with genuine intent, emphasizing, “I'm not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys' hearts.” He also conveyed that the support from fans motivates him to become a better person and that he aims for his life choices to have a positive impact on those who watch his journey.

At the time of publication, representatives for Mark had not provided further details regarding his future activities or projects. Notably, Mark released his debut solo album, The Firstfirst, in April 2025, marking a significant milestone in his individual career.

This departure marks a significant change for NCT’s dynamic as the group continues to evolve with its remaining members. Fans and industry observers alike await updates on Mark Lee’s next steps, as he embarks on this new phase beyond his decade-long tenure with SM Entertainment and NCT.