K-pop sensation Mark Lee has officially stepped into a powerful new chapter of his career, launching his own creative company “Upper Room” shortly after his departure from SM Entertainment and all NCT units.
On June 4, Upper Room was unveiled with an exciting announcement, describing the label as the beginning of “his music, vision, and future projects,” signaling Mark’s move into full creative independence and artistic control.
The company has been built alongside trusted collaborators, with Mark Lee taking on the dual role of co-CEO and creator, a move that marks a major shift from idol to industry leader. Upper Room aims to fully support his artistic journey, music direction, and upcoming projects while shaping a fresh creative identity.
Mark himself introduced the label through a social media post, further fueling excitement among fans, while his Instagram bio now proudly features the official label handle @uprmlabel. The announcement quickly gained attention, with fellow NCT Dream member Chenle reacting with a celebratory firework emoji, showing strong support for his new venture.
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The launch comes just weeks after Mark confirmed his departure from SM Entertainment in April, ending a remarkable 10-year journey with the company. He also stepped away from all NCT units including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U, closing one of K-pop’s most influential eras.
In a heartfelt handwritten letter at the time, Mark reflected on his decision, sharing that after a decade in the industry, he began rethinking his “next dream” and artistic direction.
Debuting in 2016 as one of NCT’s original members with the hit “The 7th Sense,” Mark quickly rose to prominence across multiple sub-units including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and later SuperM. He also made his solo debut in 2025 with The Firstfruit, further expanding his musical identity.
Now with Upper Room, Mark Lee is not just continuing his career he is reinventing it, stepping into a bold new era of independence, creativity, and global artistic ambition.
