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The announcement comes days after Mark Lee confirms departure from group after a decade
Ten Lee of NCT announced his departure from SM Entertainment through his Instagram Stories today (April 6), marking another major shift for the group in the span of a week.
The singer’s exit is also reportedly said to take effect on April 8, following discussions with the agency about his future direction. While he is leaving SM Entertainment, Ten is expected to continue participating in NCT activities, as well as its China-based sub-unit WayV, where possible.
In his message to fans, Ten describes the decision as a difficult one, signalling reflection and anticipation for what lies ahead.
“SM will always be my ‘home’, and I will forever be proud to say that I grew up at SM-especially as the first Thai artist to do so! Being given the opportunity to learn, perform and grow as an artist at SM is something that I will always be grateful for and hold close to my heart.”
Ten’s announcement comes just days after Mark Lee confirms his own departure – but under very different circumstances. Unlike Ten, Lee was set to leave both SM Entertainment and NCT entirely after nearly 10 years with the group.
Similar to Ten, Mark had also shared the news through a handwritten Instagram letter, expressing gratitude to fans and describing the move as the start of a new chapter rather than an ending.
READ MORE: Mark Lee bids au revoir to NCT, SM
The timing of both announcements has amplified emotions among fans, with two key members stepping away from the agency – and one exiting the group altogether – within the same week.
What Ten’s departure means for NCT
Ten, who debuted with NCT in 2016 and later became a core member of WayV, has been recognised for his versatility across music, dance and solo projects.
Despite leaving SM Entertainment, it was reported that Ten will maintain communication with the agency to facilitate his involvement in future NCT and WayV activities where possible.This arrangement suggests a looser structure moving forward, where members may operate independently while still collaborating under the NCT umbrella.
For fans, the developments signal both an end and a continuation – as familiar faces step into new phases of their careers while remaining, in some form, connected to the group they helped build.