Members are gradually departing from SM Entertainment (hereafter SM).
Mark and Ten, considered core members of the boy group NCT, have successively announced their departure from SM, with their exits spaced three days apart.
On the 3rd, SM officially announced, “We have engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions with Mark regarding his future career direction. Following sufficient mutual dialogue, we have mutually agreed to conclude his exclusive contract effective April 8.” As a result, Mark will officially conclude all his NCT activities, encompassing both NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.
Since his debut with NCT in 2016, Mark has maintained a busy schedule for approximately 10 years, actively participating in group promotions as well as establishing himself as a solo artist. Moving forward, NCT 127 will continue with its seven members: Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Haechan. Similarly, NCT DREAM will proceed with six members: Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.
Subsequently, Mark shared a heartfelt handwritten letter on his personal SNS addressed to Czennies (NCT’s fandom name). He wrote, “To Czennies, how have the past ten-plus years been? I truly feel like I’ve known nothing but happiness. After a decade, I wanted to personally write and convey my new decision and the beginning of a new chapter to Czennies, who have made me happy every single day for such a long time.” He also revealed a long-held personal dream: “Truthfully, since my trainee days, and perhaps even before, I always carried a dream in my heart: to busk on the streets with an acoustic guitar, traveling around, and I loved writing in English to the point where I aspired to become a writer.”
Mark also extended his profound gratitude to his fellow NCT members. He revealed, “I had many conversations with the members about this decision, and every single one of them supported me. I am so grateful it brings tears to my eyes, and I will feel forever apologetic. I am incredibly thankful and love the members who sailed on the same ship and shared the best journey with me.”
Adding to the significant changes, Ten, who has been an active member of not only NCT but also WayV and SuperM, is also parting ways with SM Entertainment. On the 6th, SM confirmed that, similar to Mark, Ten’s exclusive contract will also conclude on April 8.
On the same day, SM issued a statement, saying, “We extend our sincere gratitude to Ten, who has demonstrated exceptional talent as both a group member and a solo artist since his debut, and we wholeheartedly support Ten’s new beginning.”
Fortunately for fans, while Ten is leaving SM Entertainment, he is expected to continue his group activities with NCT and WayV. SM clarified, “We plan to coordinate Ten’s participation in future WayV and NCT group activities.” This ensures his ongoing involvement despite the agency change.
On the same day, Ten also shared his sentiments regarding his departure from SM on his personal SNS. He stated, “I will continue to spend time with you all as Ten of NCT and WayV. Concurrently, I am preparing to embark on new challenges as a solo artist. The period I spent meeting all of you through my activities with NCT and WayV since my debut with NCT U in 2016 is filled with truly precious and happy memories in my life.”
Ten further expressed his deep appreciation for SM, saying, “Although there were many unfamiliar and fearful moments when I left Thailand at a young age to come to Korea, all the staff at SM genuinely looked after me and were always on my side.”
Confessing that this decision was not an easy one, Ten affirmed his commitment to moving forward responsibly and diligently to ensure no regrets. He concluded, “I am sincerely grateful to the members who always supported me in dreaming bigger, and I extend my deepest thanks to everyone at SM who believed in me and stood by me until now.”
