08/04/2026

LYFE WEDNESDAY | APR 8, 2026

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Ten Take(s) Off TEN Lee of NCT has announced his departure from SM Entertainment through his Instagram Stories on Monday, marking another major shift for the group in the span of a week. The singer’s exit is also reportedly said to take effect on April 8, following discussions with the agency about his future direction. While he is leaving SM Entertainment, Ten is expected to continue participating in NCT activities, as well as its China-based sub-unit WayV, where possible. In his message to fans, Ten describes the decision as a difficult one, signalling reflection and anticipation for what lies ahead. “SM will always be my‘home’, and I will forever be proud to say that I grew up at SM, especially as the first Thai artiste to do so! Being given the opportunity to learn, perform and grow as an artiste at SM is something that I will always be grateful for and hold close to my heart.” Ten’s announcement comes just days after Mark Lee confirmed his own departure – but under very different circumstances. Unlike Ten, Mark was set to leave SM Entertainment and NCT entirely after nearly 10 years with the group. Similar to Ten, Mark had also shared the news through a handwritten Instagram letter, expressing gratitude to fans and describing the move as the start of a new chapter rather than an ending. The timing of both announcements has amplified emotions among fans, with two key members stepping away from the agency – and one exiting the group altogether – within the same week. What Ten’s departure means for NCT Ten, who debuted with NCT in 2016 and later became a core member of WayV, has been recognised for his versatility across music, dance and solo projects. Despite leaving SM, it was reported Ten will maintain communication with the agency to facilitate his involvement in future NCT and WayV activities where possible. This arrangement suggests a looser structure moving forward, where members may operate independently while still collaborating under the NCT umbrella. For fans, the developments signal an end and a continuation – as familiar faces step into new phases of their careers while remaining, in some form, connected to the group they helped build. Ű BY SHIVANI SUPRAMANI

From left: Lee, Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Jisung, Haechan and Chenle of NCT Dream. – AFPPIC

Mark Lee bids adieu to NCT, SM

o Artiste’s departure marks new chapter for him, industry

sub-unit of the mega group, which has rotating members) at just 17 years old. Jokingly named the ultimate “pro-debuter”, he has been a consistent, fixed member of three sub-units – NCT U, NCT 127 and NCT Dream, in which he was also a leader. In 2019, he was also part of SM’s male supergroup SuperM, comprising Lee, Baekhyun of Exo, Ten of NCT/Way V, Lucas of NCT/Way V, Taemin of SHinee, Taeyong of NCT and Kai of Exo. The group was active for three years, after debuting with Jopping, before its 2023 comeback fell through. Just last year, in April, Lee debuted his solo album The Firstfruit , with the title track 1999 (his birth year). Billboard named it the best K-pop album of 2025, and it has also reached number one on the iTunes Top Albums charts in 14 regions. Shadow of ‘slave’ contract Dubbed the ace of SM, Lee’s exit serves as a tipping point for an agency long dogged by accusations of artiste mistreatment, and its “slave” contracts. In 2023, Exo’s Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin sued SM for unfair contracts and opaque settlements, which ended in a tense compromise, but it has reignited the public’s scrutiny of the company’s lack of transparency and controversial contract length. While the trio remained members of Exo for group activities, the fallout was palpable as they were absent from recent

Lee says he is excited and anxious for his next adventure. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @ONYOURM_ARK

Ű BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN

M ARK Lee of NCT has revealed in a personal letter posted to his Instagram that he is parting ways with the group and SM Entertainment as his contract comes to an end after a decade with the agency. In the handwritten letter, he wrote: “I truly wish to say thank you. Thank you for loving, supporting and shaping me to become who I am today. 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.” Lee went on to say he is excited and nervous about his new chapter, asking NCT zens (NCT’s fandom name) to believe in his quest. The ‘pro-debuter’ Lee is a 26-year-old Canadian rapper-singer songwriter who debuted with NCT U (a

Jung has since found success in China’s entertainment industry, following her departure from K-pop. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @JESSICA.SYJ performances and fan meeting in December 2025, which was collateral to the legal dispute. Additionally, Lee was also widely claimed to be overworked by fans as the artiste was seen juggling demanding schedules across NCT’s multiple sub-units. However, the exclusion of the Exo trio and the alleged overworking of Lee are not isolated incidents, but an evolution of the “blueprint” of SM’s artiste mistreatment established during the abrupt exit of Jessica Jung from Girls’ Generation, 12 years ago. In 2014, Jung revealed via Weibo that she had been “forced out” of the group after being issued an ultimatum: Abandon her fashion label or leave the band. Despite having prior approval for her venture, she was then ousted and “blacklisted” from the industry. This move highlights the agency’s tainted history of exerting total control over its artistes’ ambitions beyond the interest of SM. As such, Lee’s exit is a bittersweet milestone for him, the fans and the industry. The move has also revived the discourse of artistes’ autonomy within the K-pop industry. Therefore, as he embarks on his quest, the talented artiste trades the relentless schedules for long-overdue creative freedom to redefine his legacy on his own terms.

From left: Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen have sued SM Entertainment over opaque settlements and ‘slave’ contracts. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @EXO_CBX.OFFICIAL

Ten announces his departure from NCT via Instagram. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @TENLEE_1001