Mark, international shame immediately after leaving NCT... Wore 'symbol of racism' shirt and gave 'thumbs up' → Public apology Mark Lee, a former member of the K-pop group NCT, faced widespread backlash after leaving his agency SM Entertainment and wearing a T-shirt featuring the Confederate flag, a symbol historically associated with slavery and white supremacy. The incident occurred shortly after he established his one-person agency, Upper Room, and sparked a public apology from his team. The controversy emerged when photos of Mark wearing the shirt surfaced, prompting immediate criticism from fans and critics alike. The agency, Upper Room, issued a detailed apology statement in English on its official Instagram account, clarifying that the shirt was chosen as a vintage item. However, they acknowledged the historical sensitivity of the Confederate flag and expressed regret for not fully considering its implications. The statement emphasized that the image was inadvertently shared externally, leading to public concern. The agency admitted that the situation required greater caution and responsibility, taking full accountability for the oversight. Mark’s team reiterated their rejection of racism, hate, and discrimination, stating that the incident was a failure to uphold the values they stand for. They pledged to strengthen internal review processes for future clothing selections and content approvals to prevent similar issues. The apology also thanked those who raised the concern, highlighting their commitment to addressing feedback and improving transparency. The incident marked the first official statement from Mark since launching Upper Room, which he did in April 2026 after leaving his previous teams, including NCT 127 and NCT DREAM.#sm_entertainment #nct_127 #mark_lee #upper_room #confederate_flag
