mark leaving nct is like spongebob quitting the krusty krab 😭😭😭 like good for him he was overworked but like thats the employee of the month every month
Article confirms that Mark was in Kenya for his excursion to the UNEP Global Headquarters in Nairobi. That's where he was inspired for his song 'Ready or Not' 🤍
'The composition was conceived during his excursion to the UNEP Global Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and his visit to the Maasai Mara National Reserve earlier in 2026. Immersing himself in the majesty of the natural world and engaging firsthand with UN personnel regarding the environmental crisis provided the profound inspiration for him to articulate planetary protection through his unique artistic lens.'
see this is all i wanted, members still mentioning mark here and there and not completely erasing his existence. and it felt like i was asking for so much because this is so rare or -almost unheard of- in kpop but hey look at our dreamies 😭😭😭🥹
260607 📰 #MarkLee#마크리
Mark, formerly of the group NCT, has unveiled the blueprint for his solo career. About two months after announcing his departure from NCT and his separation from SM Entertainment last April, he has officially launched his own creative company, Upper Room, signaling the start of a new chapter.
However, as this marks his first major move since leaving the group, there is a sense of both anticipation and concern. In particular, with various interpretations circulating regarding the name of his agency and the teaser content, all eyes are on how Mark will prove his decision through his future work.
On the 3rd, Mark opened an official social media account under the name “uprmlable” and released a related video. He also shared the account on his personal social media, signaling a fresh start. The newly created account is Upper Room’s official social media, and the establishment of his new agency has been official as it was recently announced that Mark has completed business registration as “Upper Room Co., Ltd.” with himself listed as co-CEO.
This drew even more attention as it was the first concrete plan revealed since his departure from NCT in April. At the time, Mark shocked the fans as he ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment and wrapped up all group activities under NCT. He explained the reason for his new choice, saying, “I naturally began to think about what the best dream I could have, and what the best work and purpose could be for me while living as Mark.” At the time, some speculated that Mark, who holds Canadian citizenship, might shift his activities to focus on the North American market. However, with his own establishing company and preparing new activities based in Korea, it appears his next steps will be quite different from expectations. In particular, as Upper Room presents itself as a creative company rather than basic independent label, curiosity about the creative results he will showcase is growing.
However, unexpected controversy followed immediately upon the launch. After the agency’s name was revealed, some pointed out that “Upper Room” refers in the Bible to the upper room in Jerusalem where Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples and where the Holy Spirit descended after the Resurrection. Fans' opinions are also mixed as interpretations emerged that Mark is known to be a devout Christian, may have embedded religious meaning in the agency’s name and announcement film.
In response, the Upper Room side explained, "It goes beyond a simple physical space, it embodies a place where like-minded people gather to share thoughts and ideas and discover new possibilities." They also stated that the announcement film, inspired by the era of metal movable type, was meant to express the value of creation and respect for creators, thereby putting an end to various speculations.
Nevertheless, opinions on Mark’s independent path remain divided. As he embarks on his solo career after leaving the global brand NCT, there are high expectations but also concerns. In the end, what matters is the work he delivers. As he made the difficult decision to leave a group he spent a long time through thick and thin with, the music and content he will present in the future will likely determine how persuasive that choice will be in future evaluations. The attention is focused on what story Mark will tell as he writes his own chapter as he steps out of the familiar confines and stand a new starting line.
🔗https://t.co/3XUS4wsaGv
“you don't always need to have all the answers or be completely ready before moving forward. what matters is being willing to take the next step.”— mark lee ♡
Host introducing Mark!
👤: Our next guest belongs to generation that understands something important. That influence carries responsibility. Today he joins us not simply as an intentional artist, but as a voice supporting global movement - for climate awareness and +
watching him perform with just his guitar and a simple outfit completely blew me away. that stripped-back stage felt like a powerful declaration of intent—it showed his strong determination to share his own music with the world as "artist mark lee" from now on. this is truly the perfect beginning of his new chapter🥹✨🎸
"'cause my heart knows more than my eyes can see"
and that's what he wrote on his letter too
"i believe that our hearts have better sight than our eyes"
#marklee : I visited Kenya earlier this year and at that time I was going through a very important time of my life. I had to make a very important decision for my career and for my life so I had a lot of people telling me a lot of advice, asking me question I don’t really know—