Mark’s NCT era is officially coming to a close. SM Entertainment confirmed that his exclusive contract ended on April 8, 2026—and that he will wrap up all activities with NCT, including both NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. The company framed it as a planned transition reached through discussion, not a sudden blow-up.
Because Mark has lived in two core units at once, the ripple effect is real. There aren’t many idols who’ve carried that kind of double-duty for years. Still, the mood around this one has been steady: mutual agreement, gratitude, and a supportive sendoff rather than tension.
Verified timeline: what was announced, and when
The key detail is the contract end date. In SM’s statement, the agency said the decision followed “careful and thoughtful discussion” and would take effect on April 8, 2026.
After the announcement, Mark posted a handwritten Instagram letter thanking fans, the members, and SM, and hinting at what he wants next. Members followed with their own messages of support, which set the tone quickly: this is a goodbye, not a mess.
Inside Mark’s handwritten letter: gratitude, and a long-planned dream
In his handwritten note (shared in Korean and English), Mark said he knows the news may “shock” and “hurt” fans, and that a single letter can’t fully soften that change. He described it as something he’d been thinking through as his contract period ended, and emphasized his gratitude for the decade he spent as part of NCT.
He also pointed to a personal creative goal: pursuing a dream connected to acoustic guitar, busking, and writing—including writing in English.
Member support rolls in—proof of a clean departure
Instead of vague silence, the members’ reactions read like a united goodbye. Jaemin reassured fans with an affectionate, “Baby, don’t be sad, I’ll make up for you,” while Jeno referred to Mark as “our leader brother,” a small line that still lands heavy.
Supportive responses also came from Haechan and Chenle, reinforcing the same message: encouragement, not distance.
