Following the news of his official departure from his group NCT and his label SM Entertainment, Mark shared a heartfelt, handwritten letter via his Instagram, relaying his gratitude for the past 10 years.
Read the full letter below.
"Hello, this is Mark.
Czennies, hello....
I debuted in NCT U on April 9, 2016, and now that it’s April 2026, it looks like 10 years have gone by just like that...
During those 10 years, so many things happened, we performed on many stages, and above all, there were truly so many memories. For those Czennies who loved me since my S.M.ROOKIES days, it's been over 10 years. What were these last 10 years like for Czennies..? For me, I was truly happy and nothing else. We've really been together for 10 years, and so I wanted to make sure to personally write to you, my Czennies who made me so happy every single day of those 10 years, about my new decision and my new chapter.
I know this might come across as very sudden to everyone... Actually, since my trainee days, and perhaps even before then, I had held onto a dream in my heart. I loved wandering the streets with an acoustic guitar, singing and playing whenever and wherever, and I loved writing in English so much that I even wanted to become an author. Sure, I was too young to envision those dreams clearly and perfectly in my head, but it was only because I loved music and the stage that I was able to audition in Canada 14 years ago to begin my path with SM through NCT.
Because I began this path at SM and with NCT, I was able to learn more about myself and discover my best self. I am nothing but grateful. As a member of NCT, I’ve experienced the greatest heights and depths of the sky, the earth, the sea, and the mountains. Having seen the world from those heights and depths for the past 10 years, I naturally found myself thinking about what my ultimate dream might be, and what my greatest purpose and goal in life as a person named Mark should be. Because I was at a point in my life where I was facing the end of my 10-year contract, I devoted all my senses into thinking about this, and after much contemplation, I eventually became curious about what the concrete and tangible form of that dream would look like. I decided that I wanted to dive in and immerse myself into envisioning that dream wholeheartedly. I want to find out what music I can make, what kind of tree I am, and what fruits I can bear... and I want to make it happen.
When I spoke about this with each one of my members, they all told me without fail that they would support me, to the point that just thinking about their words brought tears to my eyes. I will forever be sorry and grateful to them. I want to say thank you once more to the hyungs who see me as their adorable dongsaeng and to the dongsaengs who see me as their leader. To all the members who listened to my concerns most closely, opened themselves up to my heart's musings, thought of me, gave me advice, and offered me wonderful conversations, I am so thankful and I love you.
After completing the most wonderful voyage of my life thus far in the last 10-years with my members, when I told them that I wanted to go for a swim because I was always drawn to the water, they said to me with love to dive right in. I too will continue to support and love them in the future.
I was accepted into SM Entertainment through the global audition in 2012. From the training team to all the teachers, company staff, managers, directors, the CEO, and the employees of every department, I will be ever grateful for the rest of my life for how you all raised me to be who I am. My beginning was SM, it was NCT, and it was Czennies. No matter what kind of new music I create in the future, I will make sure to be Mark who never forgets where I come from.
At the same time... I am keenly aware that making a big decision for myself will not automatically make everyone's worries, concerns, and hardships disappear. My heart is heavy because I know that sharing this decision, about my search for a new chapter in my life, can cause great shock and harm to the Czennies who have loved me as NCT's Mark until now, to Markfs, and to the general public, and that this one letter cannot make everything alright. I thought for a very long time about what the most mature choice and method would be. I am apologetic because this was the answer, and the answer feels pitifully insufficient in this current situation.
Still, I felt that I owed it to our Czennies, whom I am most grateful for, to convey my feelings as sincerely as possible... and looking into my heart, the most prominent desire deep within was my desire to express my gratitude. To all Czennies, and to everyone who has known and supported me until now, the most important thing I want to say is thank you. Thank you so so much. Thank you for letting me live as the happiest person for the last 10-years. Thank you for allowing my dream of being a singer, which I held timidly alone in my heart, to grow, and thank you for making that dream actually come true. Because you sent me such invaluable love and support, and because of all the memories of that love, I am the Mark I am today... I am so grateful. Thank you so much for letting me live with this gratitude.
I will live with a heart full of gratitude toward SM, the NCT members, and Czennies for the rest of my life.
When I am able to greet you once again from a new position in the future, I will do my absolute best to be Mark who can show you a good side. One more time, thank you."
Read the English portion of Mark's letter below.
"Out of all the things my heart wants to say right now, I truly wish to say thank you. Thank you for loving, supporting, and shaping me to become who I am today.
I truly believe that our hearts have better sights than our eyes, and what my heart sees right now isn't a closing door but rather an opening new one.
I hope our next chapter together could be where we are all healthily smiling about the past, welcoming the present, and being excited for what's to come. It's a quest that I myself am scared about, but I know that it's not for the worst. If I had ever done something right to have gained your trust over the last decade, I hope you believe me when I say that I'm not doing this just for fun....
I will never forget the pieces of love and truth each and every Czennie gave me... I'm not playing here, and I am for sure not playing with your guys' hearts... You guys make me want to be a better person, and I hope my decisions in life can only become a positive impact to anyone watching.
I'm truly and always thinking about you guys.. and I'll really be working very very hard to make it all make sense.
Love you all so much....
See you."
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