NCT's Mark Departs Group; Doyoung Addresses Discord Rumors

NCT's prominent member, Mark Lee, has officially departed from the global K-Pop phenomenon NCT and its agency, SM Entertainment, following the expiration of his exclusive contract on April 8, 2026. This significant announcement was made by SM Entertainment on April 3, 2026, marking the end of Mark's ten-year journey with the group, which he debuted with in 2016. His departure is a major shift for the widely successful boy band, which is known for its unique rotational and sub-unit system. In the wake of this groundbreaking news, fellow NCT member Doyoung took to social media to directly address circulating rumors of discord and internal conflict within the group. Doyoung, currently fulfilling his mandatory military service, penned a heartfelt message stating that remaining silent was neither characteristic of him nor NCT 127, prompting him to share his feelings in his own words. He strongly appealed to fans, known as NCTzens, to refrain from speculating about the reasons behind Mark's departure, emphasizing that 'If doubts and groundless rumors arise about Mark and the members, I think we will be overwhelmed by unbearable sadness and a sense of injustice.' Doyoung expressed his deep affection and support for Mark, stating, 'He was a friend I loved more than anyone, and he is still a friend I love just the same, so we talked and shared our thoughts for a long time.' He affirmed his decision to understand 'dear Mark's' heart and to support him without end, further requesting fans to listen to Mark's long-held sincerity and worries without prejudice. This public statement from Doyoung highlights the emotional impact of Mark's exit on the members and seeks to preserve the decade-long bond shared within the group and with their fanbase. Mark Lee, a Canadian rapper and singer, was a foundational member of NCT, actively participating in multiple sub-units, including NCT U, NCT 127, and NCT Dream, as well as the project group SuperM. His consistent presence across these units earned him the reputation of being a 'connective thread' within NCT's modular system. With his departure, NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group, and NCT Dream will proceed with six members. Mark himself shared a handwritten letter with fans, explaining his decision was driven by a desire to 'dive into a more concrete version of myself' and pursue a long-held dream of busking and writing. He conveyed immense gratitude to his fellow NCT members for their encouragement and support during this transition. The rumors of discord Doyoung addressed were not entirely unfounded, as prior online discussions, particularly after NCT Dream's emotional encore concert, hinted at potential internal conflicts between NCT Dream members and SM Entertainment. Allegations suggested SM Entertainment had plans to 'abandon and hide' NCT Dream, with Mark reportedly attempting to argue on the group's behalf and even considering establishing his own company to take the members with him, which was purportedly rejected by the agency. While these specific claims remain largely unverified by official statements, Doyoung's plea strongly suggests that speculation surrounding the departure's underlying causes was indeed prevalent among fans, necessitating a clear message from the members. This departure is particularly notable because Mark had previously 'graduated' from NCT Dream in 2018 under its original age-based system but later rejoined the unit in 2020 when the system was abolished, and NCT Dream became a fixed seven-member group. This history adds another layer to the significance of his current, complete exit from all NCT activities and SM Entertainment. The news has understandably caused a strong reaction among K-Pop fans globally, including in India, given NCT's substantial international following.

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