On April 3, SM Entertainment officially announced the termination of its exclusive contract with Mark Lee. After long discussions regarding his future direction, both parties agreed to end the contract effective April 8. Consequently, Mark will conclude all activities as a member of NCT, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.
Three days after the announcement, Mark reached out to fans through messages on Bubble, and it was also confirmed that his Bubble subscription service will end on April 20.
“Hello. I really wanted to speak to you all directly first, but it wasn’t something I could handle solely on my own feelings. You must’ve been really surprised, right? Your weekend must’ve been so hectic and tough. It’s Monday again. You guys need strength… I will come back soon. I am sorry and grateful. Let’s get through Monday together.”
SM expressed gratitude for Mark’s contributions since his debut with NCT in 2016 and sent best wishes as he embarks on a new chapter. Following this announcement, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group, while NCT DREAM will carry on as six members.
Mark then also shared a heartfelt letter. In the emotional message to fans, Mark wrote:
“Of everything my heart wants to say right now, the thing I want to say most is: thank you. Thank you for loving, supporting, and helping me become the person I am today.
I believe the heart sees more clearly than the eyes, and what my heart feels right now is not a closing door, but a new door opening.I hope our journey ahead will be a place where we can all smile gently looking back at the past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future.
This is a path that makes me a little scared, but I know it is not a bad thing.
If over the past 10 years I’ve ever done anything right to earn your trust, I hope you trust me when I say: I am not doing this impulsively…
I will never forget every piece of love and sincerity each Czennie has given me… I am serious, and I will never play with your hearts.
You make me want to be a better version of myself, and I hope my choices in life will have a positive impact on everyone who follows me.
I am always thinking of you… and I will try really, really hard to make everything worthwhile.
I love you all so much… See you again.”
Regarding his decision, he admitted, “I know this may feel very sudden to everyone,” adding, “But I’ve always had a dream in my heart since my trainee days or even before that.”
Mark revealed, “I once dreamed of traveling with just an acoustic guitar, busking on the streets, and even becoming a writer because I loved writing in English. I was too young to fully visualize that dream back then, but my love for music and performing led me to audition in Canada 14 years ago, and that journey began at SM through NCT.”
He continued, “Because my beginning was with SM and NCT, I was able to discover myself and find my best version. I’m truly grateful. Through NCT, I feel like I’ve experienced the sky, the earth, the sea, and the mountains to the fullest.”
Reflecting on his future, Mark shared, “After spending 10 years experiencing the world, I began to wonder what the greatest dream I could have truly is what my purpose as Mark might be. As my contract comes to an end, I’ve awakened all my senses and thought deeply for a long time. I became curious about what that dream really looks like and wanted to fully dive into it. I want to discover what my music or my ‘fruit’ will be, and how I can present it to the world.”
Fellow members also shared their thoughts while showing unwavering support. Doyoung said, “He was and still is a friend I deeply love. We’ve had many conversations, but rather than sharing everything, I think it’s better to express how we feel now. I’ve decided to understand and support him endlessly.”
Jeno confessed, “This is something we’ve never experienced before, so it was difficult. We had many conversations, but I regret that we couldn’t resolve everything better.”
Jisung shared, “Everyone has their own life path, and choosing it is their responsibility. I was upset at first, but knowing him and his efforts, I want to support his future from afar.”
Haechan comforted fans, saying, “I hope no one is too sad. There are still many activities ahead, so please look forward with positivity.”
Meanwhile, Jaemin and Renjun also reassured fans, asking them to continue supporting both Mark and the group.
Sources: Naver
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