Mark Lee, former member of the K-pop group NCT, has officially started his own creative agency called Upper Room. The announcement came on June 4, 2026, just two months after he left SM Entertainment and all NCT units. The 26-year-old rapper and singer will serve as co-CEO and creator at his new label.
Upper Room released a statement saying the company “will serve as the starting point for his music, vision, and the various projects he will pursue in the future.” Mark built the agency alongside trusted colleagues he has worked with for years.
When Did Mark Lee Leave NCT?
Mark Lee departed from NCT and SM Entertainment on April 8, 2026. The news first broke on April 3, when SM Entertainment posted an official notice on NCT 127’s Weverse platform. The agency confirmed that after “a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion” with Mark, both sides agreed to end his exclusive contract.
His departure means he left all NCT units, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U. Mark had been with the group since its debut in 2016, making this the end of a 10-year journey.
SM Entertainment praised Mark for showing “outstanding abilities” during his time with the group. The company stated: “We are truly grateful for the time he spent with us, and we wholeheartedly support him as he begins a new chapter in his journey.”
NCT’s New Lineup After Mark’s Exit
Following Mark’s departure, both NCT units have adjusted their lineups.
NCT 127 will continue with seven members:
- Johnny
- Taeyong
- Yuta
- Doyoung
- Jaehyun
- Jungwoo
- Haechan
NCT Dream will move forward with six members:
- Renjun
- Jeno
- Haechan
- Jaemin
- Chenle
- Jisung
SM Entertainment confirmed that Haechan remains part of both groups.
Mark Lee’s Handwritten Letter to Fans
On the day of the announcement, Mark Lee shared a handwritten letter on his Instagram account. He wrote in both English and Korean, addressing fans directly about his decision.
“Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you. Thank you for loving, supporting, and shaping me to become who I am today.” – Mark Lee
He also spoke about looking forward, not backward. “I truly believe that our hearts have better sight than our eyes, and what my heart sees right now isn’t a closing door but rather an opening new one,” he wrote.
Mark admitted the news might come as a shock to NCTzens (NCT fans). He promised that he was not playing with their feelings. “I’m not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys’ hearts,” he said.
He also revealed that he had spoken individually with his NCT members, who supported his decision to leave.
Why Did Mark Lee Leave NCT?
Mark opened up about his reasons for leaving in his letter. He shared a dream he had since his trainee days traveling with an acoustic guitar, busking on streets, and writing songs in English.
He said those thoughts about stepping away had been on his mind for a long time. After 10 years of intense group activities, he wanted to explore his own musical identity. He described wanting to return to more personal forms of artistry, including performing with just an acoustic guitar.
His solo album The Firstfruit, released in 2025, received critical praise. Billboard selected it as one of the top K-pop projects of the year. That success likely gave him confidence to strike out on his own.
What Is Upper Room? Details About Mark’s New Label
Upper Room is not just a record label. The company describes itself as a creative agency that will focus on music while also connecting video, visual art, and performances.
The name “Upper Room” symbolizes a space where people with the same goals and ideas come together. It represents a place to share inspiration and explore new creative possibilities.
To mark the launch, Upper Room released several announcement films on social media. These films were inspired by 15th-century letterpress printing. The company made sure to note that no AI-generated images were used in creating these videos.
Mark also updated his personal Instagram bio to include the label’s official handle, @uprmlabel.
Fellow NCT Members Show Support
Former bandmates quickly showed their support for Mark’s new venture. Chenle, a fellow NCT Dream member, reacted to Mark’s announcement post with firework emojis.
Fans have also flooded social media with messages of encouragement. Many are excited to see what Mark will create with full creative control.
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What’s Coming Next for Mark Lee
Upper Room’s announcement stated that the company will provide “full-scale support for his music, vision, and the various projects he will present in the future.” Mark also shared a video clip teasing a musical comeback.
This suggests new music is on the way. With his own agency, Mark can now release music on his own schedule and in his own style. He has full artistic control over his work for the first time in his career.
Mark debuted in 2016 as one of NCT’s first five members with the hit single The 7th Sense. He quickly rose to fame across multiple sub-units, including NCT 127 and NCT Dream. He also joined SuperM, the supergroup featuring members from different SM boy bands.
Now, after a decade with SM Entertainment, Mark Lee is starting fresh. Upper Room marks the beginning of a new chapter where the artist calls all the shots.
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