FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETMark
- Stage name
- Mark
- Birth name
- Lee Min Hyung
- Born
- Aug. 2, 1999
- Hometown
- Toronto, Canada
- Position
- Rapper, dancer, songwriter; leader of NCT Dream
- Agency
- SM Entertainment
- Fandom
- NCTzen
- Debut
- 2016
- Generation
- 3rd gen
Mark is a Canadian-Korean rapper, singer and lyricist who spent roughly a decade in SM Entertainment's NCT, appearing in NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream and the supergroup SuperM. He is known for a prolific songwriting output, with more than 30 credits by 2021, and for leading NCT Dream. In April 2026 he left NCT 127 and NCT Dream after choosing not to renew his exclusive contract. He then co-founded the agency Upper Room, where he serves as a co-chief executive, and announced his first solo single, "My Friend," for September 2026.
Where they grew up
Mark grew up in Toronto, Canada, and has an older brother. As a schoolkid he found that he naturally wrote more than assignments required, and he dreamed of becoming an author, drawing on Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and James Patterson books. That love of writing later grew into rap writing. SM Entertainment recruited him at a global audition held in Canada in 2012, and he was introduced to the public as an SM Rookies member in 2013. His trainee period lasted about four years before his 2016 debut.
Birth details: nolae.eu
In their own words
“When I was in school, I was always the kind of guy who would write more than expected, and that became a thing that clicked for me”
“We wanted to show the people we developed and grew, and that was the focus on every angle of the album.”
- Rick Riordan Author of the Percy Jackson books; one of the writers who inspired Mark's childhood dream of becoming an author. teenvogue.com
- James Patterson Another author Mark cited as inspiring his early writing ambitions. teenvogue.com
Timeline
- 2012Recruited by SM
Scouted by SM Entertainment at a global audition in Canada.
- 2013Introduced as an SM Rookie
Presented to the public as part of SM's pre-debut trainee program.
- 2016Debut with NCT U and NCT 127
Debuted in April on NCT U's digital single "The 7th Sense," then was part of NCT 127's debut lineup on July 7.
- 2018Graduated from NCT Dream
As the oldest member, he left NCT Dream in December 2018 under its original graduation system, upon turning 20.
- 2019Joined SuperM
Became part of the supergroup formed by SM with Capitol Music Group, alongside members of NCT, SHINee, EXO and WayV.
- 2021Returned to NCT Dream with Hot Sauce
After the graduation system was scrapped, he rejoined the group for its first studio album, Hot Sauce, his first with them in over two years.
- 2022Glitch Mode era
Took part in NCT Dream's Glitch Mode album, which focused on showing the members' growth as they entered their twenties.
- 2026Left SM and NCT, launched Upper Room
Left NCT 127 and NCT Dream in April after nearly a decade, then co-founded his own agency and announced a solo single for September.
Latest
- First solo single "My Friend" announced
Upper Room announced that Mark's first solo single since leaving NCT, "My Friend," arrives Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. KST, his first new release in 17 months.
en.yna.co.kr - Co-founded the agency Upper Room
After deciding not to renew his exclusive SM contract, Mark started Upper Room, a one-person agency he calls a creative company built with trusted longtime collaborators. He is a co-chief executive.
en.yna.co.kr - Left NCT 127 and NCT Dream
Mark departed both units in April 2026, leaving NCT 127 as a seven-member group and NCT Dream as a permanent six-member group.
gulfnews.com
Our coverage
NCT 127 and NCT DREAM Confirmed for Coachella 2027, With a Joint Stage
SM Entertainment says both units will play Indio on April 10 and 17, each with a solo set and one stage together under the NCT name.
NCT DREAM Release Sixth Album 'DREAM AFTER DREAM' at 10-Year Mark
The 10-track release leads with "Boogie Woogie," a disco-funk title track whose lyrics Jaemin helped write.
ILLIT Take Music Bank Trophy as 'You're Under Arrest' Scores 9,803 Points
The first trophy for the single came over IVE's "Looks Can Kill," with TWS, RIIZE, P1Harmony and NCT's Xiaojun also on the November 6 bill.
Why Every K-pop Group Gives Its Fans a Name, From ARMY to FOHA
Our Lexicon entry on the fandom name: what it means, who picks it, and the wordplay behind CARAT, MOA, ONCE and hundreds more.
Sasaeng: The K-pop Word for Fans Who Cross Into Idols' Private Lives
From hired taxis tailing Kim Jae-joong to a break-in on NCT's U.S. tour: what the word means, where it comes from and how agencies fight back.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH for 'SHOW K-POP' Crown, a Fifth Win for Debut Track 'NEON'
The group topped the second-ever episode of Arirang TV's Monday music show, hosted by ZEROBASEONE's Seok Matthew, with 5,388 points.
NCT WISH's 'I SPY' Ends ALLDAY PROJECT's Run Atop Soompi's K-Pop Chart
"CRASH" slips to No. 2 as A2O LITE, MEOVV and PLAVE join NCT WISH among four new arrivals in the top 10.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH and i-dle's Soyeon for a Fourth 'NEON' Trophy
The debut single scored 6,060 points on SBS's music show, on a crowded bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER and NMIXX.
PLAVE Claims First 'Star Trace' Trophy, Topping NCT WISH and A2O LITE on 'Music Core'
The new title track scored 8,299 points on MBC's show, on a bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER, NMIXX and SEVENTEEN's JxJ.
NCT 127 Turn 10 With 'Blingy,' Their First Album in Two Years
Five members made the seventh album while Doyoung and Jungwoo serve in the military, but the pair still show up in the group chat, the practice room and the tracklist.
NCT 127, Zerobaseone and Tomorrow x Together Were Set to Headline KCon LA 2026
Three nights of M Countdown at Crypto.com Arena were planned to stream on Mnet Plus, but U.S. viewers needed a VPN to watch from home.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH For Third 'NEON' Trophy As IVE, JxJ Unveil New Stages
The debut track topped episode 950 with 6,866 points, while SEVENTEEN's JxJ, IVE and NMIXX gave new songs their first public performances.
- teenvogue.com: NCT's Mark Lee on Dreams, Instagram Poetry, and ...
- en.yna.co.kr: Mark to drop 1st solo project after leaving NCT
- kbizoom.com: NCT 127’s Profile – The “Neo” Revolution of K-pop (2025 Updated)
- hellokpop.com: [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] The Art of Storytelling: JUNGSOOMIN Talks Latest EP [20]
- lofficielusa.com: Mark Lee Leaves NCT — Why is Mark Lee Leaving NCT? Statement Solo Career Drama
- oppastore.com: NCT's Mark: From SM Rookies Trainee to Global ...
- gulfnews.com: NCT 127 future after Mark Lee's exit explained: Lineup changes, military service and inactive members
- nolae.eu: Mark (NCT) Profile
- nme.com: NCT Dream on their discography so far: "We’re making it up as we go”
Last researched Nov. 11, 2026