SEOUL — After nearly a decade at the center of NCT’s high-energy, genre-bending world, Mark Lee is entering a markedly different chapter—one built on restraint, intimacy and creative control.
The singer and rapper released “My Friend” on September 10, marking his first musical release since leaving NCT and SM Entertainment and establishing his own creative company, Upper Room.
Rather than reproducing the elaborate production and maximalist style associated with his years in NCT, Mark takes a quieter approach on the new single.
At its core is a nostalgic guitar loop and mid-tempo pop arrangement, allowing his vocals and songwriting to sit at the center of the track.
A New Sound After NCT
Mark debuted with NCT in 2016 and became one of the group’s most recognizable members, performing across NCT 127, NCT DREAM, NCT U and SuperM during his career with the wider NCT system.
His departure in April 2026 marked the end of a defining chapter.
Now, “My Friend” signals that his solo identity will not simply be an extension of the sound fans heard from him in NCT.
The song reflects on love, transition and moving into a new stage of life, with Mark taking a hands-on role throughout the creative process. He participated in the writing, composition and arrangement of the track.
That level of involvement gives the release a distinctly personal character.
Instead of an enormous production designed around a group performance, “My Friend” leaves considerably more space for Mark himself.
“Back to Basic” Becomes the New Direction
The minimalist approach extends beyond the music.
The accompanying music video, directed by Gus Black, deliberately avoids heavy computer-generated effects and artificial staging. Instead, it focuses on Mark, real locations and natural surroundings.
The visual concept follows the “Back to Basic” direction introduced through the song’s teaser.
Scenes move between urban spaces and natural landscapes, reinforcing the idea of stepping away from excess and reconnecting with more fundamental emotions.
The result is a noticeably more understated presentation than the elaborate concepts often associated with K-pop’s biggest group productions.
Mark Takes Control of His Next Chapter
“My Friend” is also significant because it represents the first release under Upper Room, the creative company Mark established following his departure from SM Entertainment.
That means Mark is no longer simply performing within an established system. He is taking greater responsibility for the music and the broader creative direction surrounding it.
The change is also visible in how he communicates with fans.
Mark has introduced MARK’s Voice Mailbox, allowing fans to leave spoken messages, and launched the communication platform Laylo. He subsequently opened an official community on Weverse.
His Laylo launch reportedly attracted more than 42,000 fans within its first hour, highlighting the immediate interest surrounding his independent era.
More Than Just a Solo Comeback
Mark is also looking beyond conventional K-pop releases.
In a recent video, he discussed his desire to create music capable of influencing the next generation, while teasing a future project involving children’s pop music.
That ambition suggests that Upper Room may become more than simply a vehicle for his solo releases.
For Mark, the post-NCT era appears to be about discovering what he can create when the scale, expectations and structure of a major idol group are no longer defining every move.
And “My Friend” offers the first real glimpse of that answer.
After years of performing amid NCT’s explosive sound and massive group concepts, Mark Lee is choosing something much quieter for his next beginning: his own voice, his own songwriting and considerably more room to breathe.
The bigger question now is what he will build from that freedom.
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