Mark Lee in the music video for his single 'My Friend,' released September 10, 2026. Screenshot from Lee's YouTube channel
Canadian singer Mark Lee, who rose to fame as a member of K-pop boy group NCT, released Thursday his new single "Friend," marking a new chapter in his career.
The song is Lee's first release under Upper Room, the label he founded after leaving SM Entertainment, one of K-pop's leading agencies, where he spent about a decade as an artist.
"My Friend" takes on a more laid-back sound compared with the pop- and rap-oriented singles Lee released in the past.
Lee, 27, is also credited as a lyricist, composer and arranger for the song.
Lee rose to prominence after debuting in 2016 as a member of NCT, a group with more than 20 members who perform across various sub-units. He was primarily active as a member of NCT 127 and NCT Dream.
In April, the singer left both NCT and SM Entertainment, the group's label, following the expiration of his exclusive contract with the company.
In a handwritten letter released after his departure was announced, Lee described his exit from SM and NCT as "not a closing door, but rather the opening of a new one."
More recently, Lee faced controversy after wearing a shirt featuring the Confederate flag, a symbol widely associated with racism and slavery in the United States, prompting apologies from both the singer and his label.