SEOUL — Mark Lee is entering one of the most significant chapters of his career.
The former NCT star is now taking full control of his next musical chapter through Upper Room, the independent creative company he launched after ending his decade-long relationship with SM Entertainment.
And on September 10, 2026, Mark is set to release “My Friend,” his first solo single since leaving NCT and SM Entertainment. The release marks a major milestone in his transition from one of K-pop’s most recognizable group performers to an artist building his own creative platform.
From NCT star to independent creator
Mark debuted with NCT in 2016 and became one of the group’s most recognizable members, participating in NCT U, NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, while also being part of SuperM.
His 10-year exclusive contract with SM Entertainment concluded in April 2026 following discussions about his future. Mark subsequently ended his activities as a member of NCT and its fixed subunits.
Rather than immediately signing with another major entertainment company, Mark chose a different route.
He built one.
Upper Room is more than a record label
Mark officially launched Upper Room in June 2026 with longtime colleagues.
The company describes itself as a creative platform centered on music while connecting it with video, visual art and performance. Mark serves as a co-CEO and creator, making the venture a significant step toward greater control over his artistic direction.
The company’s launch materials also emphasized craftsmanship and human creativity. Upper Room’s announcement film was reportedly produced without AI-generated imagery, drawing inspiration from the era of 15th-century movable-type printing.
That approach gives the new company a noticeably different identity from a conventional idol-management agency.
“My Friend” marks the next step
Mark’s upcoming single “My Friend” is particularly significant because it represents his first solo music release after his departure from NCT and SM Entertainment.
Reports on the September 10 release say Mark is taking a more hands-on role in the music, with the project showcasing his own creative direction under Upper Room.
For fans who followed Mark throughout his NCT years, the release offers a first substantial look at what his music can become outside the framework of a major entertainment company.
Mark’s solo story actually started earlier
Calling “My Friend” Mark’s first-ever solo release would be inaccurate.
He released “Child” in 2022 and followed it with “Golden Hour” in 2023. He later released his first solo studio album, The Firstfruit, in 2025.
The crucial difference with “My Friend” is that this project arrives after his departure from NCT and SM Entertainment, making it the beginning of a genuinely independent phase rather than simply another solo project conducted within his previous career structure.
Why Upper Room could change Mark’s career
Mark’s decision puts him in a growing group of K-pop artists who have sought greater independence after years inside major entertainment companies.
Establishing a personal label gives an artist more control over music, visual concepts, branding and future projects—but it also brings new responsibilities.
Industry observers have pointed out that artist-founded labels can be difficult to sustain beyond their founder. The challenge for Mark will therefore be not simply producing music under his own name, but developing Upper Room into a creative operation capable of supporting a wider artistic vision.
For now, however, the focus is firmly on Mark.
A new Mark Lee is taking shape
The transition from NCT member to independent artist does not erase the decade Mark spent with the group.
Instead, it gives him an opportunity to build on that experience.
His launch of Upper Room, the opening of new fan platforms and the arrival of “My Friend” all point toward an artist attempting to define his next chapter on his own terms. Korea JoongAng Daily reported in July that Mark had begun his solo activities under Upper Room and launched a Weverse channel under his full name.
After years of performing inside one of K-pop’s biggest group structures, Mark now has something he did not have before: an entire creative room of his own.
And with “My Friend” arriving September 10, fans are about to hear what that freedom sounds like.
WWC ONE MEDIA G.A
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