Mark Lee releases My Friend after leaving NCT
In South Korea, K-pop artist Mark Lee, who previously performed as part of NCT, released the single My Friend — his first work under his own creative company, Upper Room, after his contract with SM Entertainment ended. The track has a more restrained sound with guitar and soft vocals, moving away from the larger-scale production style characteristic of NCT.
As Korea Herald reports, the 27-year-old artist plans to develop a direction he calls kids pop: high-quality pop music for children without a condescending attitude toward young audiences. He also wants to build an artistic identity around kindness, sincerity and human connection.
Career in NCT
Mark Lee was born in Toronto in 1999 and joined SM Entertainment after a global audition in Vancouver in 2012. He debuted in NCT U in April 2016 and later joined NCT 127 and NCT Dream, where he was a leader. In 2019, he was also selected for the supergroup SuperM.
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During his time in NCT, he gained recognition as a rapper, vocalist, dancer and lyricist. Mark contributed to the lyrics of NCT U's Boss and also received credits for lyrics and composition on the tracks Angel Eyes, Box and Rains in Heaven.
A new stage with Upper Room
In April 2025, the singer released his first solo album, The Firstfruit, built around four cities that influenced his life: Toronto, New York, Vancouver and Seoul. In April 2026, a year after the album's release, he announced his departure from NCT and SM Entertainment after his contract ended. In a letter to fans, Mark explained that the decision was driven by his desire to focus on his own creative vision.
Mark participated in writing the lyrics, composing and arranging My Friend. According to Upper Room, the song is about the best kind of love and the transition to a new stage of life. Shortly after its release, the track topped the Bugs real-time chart and Genie Music's current music chart, and also ranked first on iTunes Top Songs in Argentina, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
