Changes in Decisions Over 10 Years... NCT Members Leave, All SEVENTEEN Members Renew Contracts

At the beginning of April, K-pop fandoms experienced significant upheaval. While SM Entertainment announced the end of contracts for key NCT members Mark and Ten within three days of each other, SEVENTEEN simultaneously revealed that all of its members had signed second renewals. Although both were mid-career groups in their tenth year, their paths took different directions.

SM Entertainment announced the end of Mark’s contract on March 3. The company stated, “After lengthy and in-depth discussions regarding his future activities, it was agreed that his exclusive contract would conclude effective April 8.” Mark debuted in 2016 as a member of NCT U and spent over 10 years releasing more than 50 songs through teams such as NCT 127 and NCT Dream. With his complete departure, NCT 127 will now consist of 7 members, while NCT Dream will have 6 members.

On the 6th, the end of contract for fellow 10-year member Ten was also announced. Like Mark, Ten’s exclusive contract will end on April 8, but unlike him, he still has the possibility of participating in future activities with WayV and NCT groups. Ten has performed in South Korea and China as a member of NCT U and WayV, and he has also released solo albums.

NCT’s restructuring had already raised suspicions among fans as early as mid-March during its Dream concert. During the six-day event, members were seen crying, but the company failed to clearly disclose any details regarding contract issues. Some fans criticized the lack of communication.

During this same period, SEVENTEEN chose a different path. At the final show of the “SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] ENCORE” held at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on the 4th and 5th, Leader S.Coups personally announced to fans that all members would renew their contracts. This is the second time SEVENTEEN has renewed its contracts, having already succeeded in doing so early in 2021 when all 13 members signed early renewals.

What makes this renewal unusual is that it was finalized despite several members currently serving in military duty. With members such as Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Woozi, and Hoshi on active service, the entire group agreed to continue working together. International media also paid attention to this development, highlighting its significance as a precedent for maintaining a group over the long term.

An industry insider explained, “For groups that have been active for over 10 years, concerns about musical autonomy and individual career paths become inevitable. Renewing contracts is a decision to find a balance between team identity and personal pursuits.”

Mark and Ten’s departures were also independent choices. An executive from a major entertainment company noted, “In the early days of the industry, joining a group was the ultimate goal, but after more than 10 years of experience, idols develop a clear understanding of the musical direction they want to pursue.” He added that the growth of digital platforms such as social media allows idols to communicate directly with fans and generate income without relying entirely on their agencies.

Since members like Jaehyun, Doyoung, and Jungwoo of NCT are currently in military service, there remains the possibility of additional contract terminations. Some overseas K-pop media outlets have reported that fan anxiety is increasing as the contract expiration dates for these remaining members approach.

Meanwhile, ENHYPEN recently faced a similar situation. When Heeseung announced his departure on March 10, the group was reduced from 7 to 6 members. The company cited “in-depth discussions” and “respect for musical aspirations” as reasons, but confusion persisted among fans. Industry professionals agreed that “not all decisions come with only positive outcomes” and added that it is difficult to predict the severity and duration of the aftermath of contract renewals.