Mark Lee drops bombshell announcement just days after world tour—find out what's buzzing

Mark Lee, 26-year-old band member of the super buzzing K-pop group NCT, made a surprise announcement.

The Canadian-born rapper's agency SM Entertainment shared the news on fan platform Weverse Friday afternoon, April 3, 2026.

The statement revealed that the K-pop star is set to depart the boys group NCT and all its subunits NCT 127 and NCT Dream, next week.

The announcement has left Lee's buzzing fans with big questions: who stays with NCT and what does the future hold for the K-pop supergroup now?

The statement read, “After a long period of careful and thoughtful discussion with Mark regarding his future activities, we have mutually agreed to conclude all activities as a member of NCT, including NCT 127 and NCT Dream.”

What happens to NCT 127 and NCT Dream now?

Despite the major announcement by Mark Lee, the Korean label brushed off the rumors, confirming in the release that NCT 127 will continue as a seven-member group (Johnny, Taeyong, Doyoung, Yuta, Jaehyun, Haechan and Jungwoo).

And the NCT Dream will continue as a six-member group (Renjun, Jaemin, Chenle, Jeno, Haechan and Jisung).

Lee has been part of NCT, which now consists of a 24-member boy group, since its inception in 2016.

The group created a new kind of system that split it into smaller subunits, some with rotating members and others with fixed lineups.

A few days ago, Lee along with members of NCT Dream wrapped up their world tour with six shows in Seoul.

Mark Lee shared an emotional post on his Instagram handle in both Korean and English.

Lee wrote, “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.”

Lee dropped his debut solo album, The Firstfirst, last spring, almost a year ago.