NCT member Mark shared his feelings about leaving his agency and the team after 10 years.
On the 3rd, Mark posted a handwritten letter on his social media and revealed his thoughts.
He said, "I know this will feel very sudden to everyone. Actually, since my trainee days, maybe even before that, I always carried a dream in my heart. I wanted to roam around busking on the streets with just an acoustic guitar, and I liked writing in English so much that I wanted to become a writer. I was too young to clearly and perfectly picture that dream in my head, but with a love for music and the stage, I auditioned in Canada 14 years ago, and at SM Entertainment I first began my musical path with NCT," he explained.
He continued, "As it was the time to complete a 10-year contract, I woke up all the senses I had inside, pondered for a long time, and eventually became curious about what the true, completed form of that dream would be and wanted to dive into it fully. I wanted to properly find what my music or fruit would be and how I could make it bear in the world, and I really wanted to achieve that."
Expressing gratitude to the SM company family, he said, "I talked a lot with every single member, and just thinking about it brings me to tears because each and every one said they would support me without exception. I am forever apologetic and, above all, grateful. I want to say again how very, very thankful I am to the hyungs who see me as a cute younger brother and to the younger members who see me as a leader," showing his affection for the members.
To fans, Mark also apologized, "I announced that I made a big decision for a new chapter in my life, and I know a handwritten letter alone cannot ease the big shock and hurt this change may cause to the Seeznees who have loved me as NCT Mark, to Markp, and to the public, so my heart is truly, truly heavy. I think I pondered for a very long time over what the most mature choice and method would be. I am very sorry and my heart is very heavy because the result of those deliberations being this situation seems very insufficient."
Finally, he said, "To my most thankful Seeznee, I thought the best I could do in this situation was to convey my true sincerity. And when I looked at my heart, at the end of that sincerity I felt a strong desire above all else to express my gratitude. I want to say the biggest thank-you to all Seeznees and to everyone who has known and supported me until now," and added, "When I greet you in a new form going forward, I will do my very best to be a better version of Mark and work diligently."
Meanwhile, on the same day SM Entertainment announced the termination of Mark's contract.
The agency explained, "We had long and deep discussions with Mark about his future activity direction, and after sufficient mutual conversations, we agreed to conclude the exclusive contract as of April 8."
Accordingly, Mark will end all NCT activities, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, and going forward NCT 127 plans to continue activities with seven members — Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo and Haechan — and NCT DREAM plans to continue with six members — Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung.
The following is Mark's full letter.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
[OSEN]