Mark

I. Introduction

Mark Lee (Korean name: Lee Min-hyung; in Hangul: 이민형), known professionally as Mark (Hangul: 마크), is a Canadian songwriter, singer, rapper and dancer. He is one of the main rappers and dancers in three NCT sub units, the permanent NCT 127 and the rotational NCT U and NCT Dream. He is also the leader of NCT Dream. All units sing primarily in Korean, as well as songs in English, Chinese and Japanese. Mark has co-written over 75 songs, primarily for NCT.

II. 2013-2016: SM Rookies and pre-debut

Mark was born on August 2, 1999 in Toronto, Canada. He was cast in the 2012 SM Global Audition in Vancouver, Canada, and introduced as a member of the pre-debut SM Rookies group on December 6, 2013. He began appearing with other members of SM Rookies in live performances and variety shows, including appearing on "The Mickey Mouse Club."

III. 2016: NCT 127 and NCT Dream

He made his first appearance in NCT on April 10, 2016, as part of NCT's rotating combination unit, NCT U. NCT U utilizes different members to match the song and its accompanying performance, as well as serving to debut new NCT members. Mark appeared as a rapper and dancer on "The 7th Sense."

Mark appeared in the ongoing NCT reality show, NCT Life. In April-May 2016, he appeared in NCT Life in Bangkok, focusing on the members of SM Rookies and their journey to debut. As part of the show, he prepared for shows and appearances in Thailand with other members, including Hansol, Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin and Jisung.

On June 30, 2016, it was announced that NCT would debut its first permanent sub-unit, NCT 127. Mark debuted with NCT 127 on the EP NCT #127 on July 10, 2016 as one of the main rappers, main dancers and a sub-vocalist. Mark's rap sets a big, bold tone for NCT's songs, usually balanced against the group's other main rapper, Taeyong, who has a faster, slurred delivery. NCT 127 has an edgier, hip hop-focused style with experimental textures and a heavy emphasis on dance.

In July-August 2016, he appeared in the third season, NCT Life in Paju, with the other NCT 127 members planning and enjoying games and activities in Paju. Because he and fellow member Haechan were still minors, adjustments were often made and mentioned in shows to accommodate them.

Mark joined the third NCT sub-unit, NCT Dream, which consisted of Renjun, Chenle and former SM Rookies Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin and Jisung. Dream debuted on August 24, 2016 with "Chewing Gum." NCT Dream was designed as a teenage boy group, with members graduating from the group once they reached adulthood (20 in Korean, 19 international age.) Mark is also the main rapper, main dancer and sub-vocalist in NCT Dream, as well as being the leader.

NCT Dream has a brighter, sunnier pop sound than the other sub-units, although it has an equal emphasis on powerful and intricate dance choreography.

Mark also featured on a song with Henry "Follow Through with Your Heart."

IIII. 2017: Limitless, Cherry Bomb and The First

NCT 127 released its second EP Limitless on January 4, 2017. Mark is listed as a songwriter here and for over 50 songs across the multiple NCT units, often around his raps. His rap style in both groups is bold, assertive and energetic.

Mark also continued to appear on a number of variety and music shows, including a survival hip hop reality TV show High School Rapper and as MC on Show Music Core.

NCT Dream released its first single album The First on February 9, 2017, featuring the previously released "Chewing Gum" as well as two new songs. In the same month, NCT Dream were also appointed as official ambassadors for the 2017 FIFA Under 20 World Cup and performed a special song, "Trigger the Fever," tied into the event.

NCT 127 released its third EP Cherry Bomb on June 14, 2017. It made its first appearances in live shows in the U.S. throughout the summer.

NCT Dream released its first EP, We Young on August 17, 2017. It also released a Christmas single "Joy" as part of SM's digital Station project.

IIV. 2018: Empathy and first album

Mark participated with NCT during the NCT 2018 project on March 14, 2018, featuring all NCT members, and debuting three new ones. This project also included the first NCT full album, NCT 2018 Empathy. He appears as a rapper on "Boss," the re-released "The 7th Sense" and "Black on Black", as well as the NCT 127 song "Touch" and NCT Dream song "Go."

NCT 127 released its first Japanese EP Chain on May 23, 2018.

On August 27, it was announced that the upcoming Dream EP, We Go Up, would be Mark's last, as he was graduating from NCT Dream due to his age. The EP launched on September 3, 2018.

Mark also appeared in another season of NCT Life Hot & Young Seoul Trip - touring Seoul along with other foreign-born NCT members, including Johnny (USA), Kun (China), Winwin (China), Lucas (China) and Yuta (Japan).

NCT 127 released its first full album Regular-Irregular on October 12, 2018, featuring a popular English version of its lead single, "Regular," that was utilized during the group's United States' based performances. The group also released a repackage Regulate on November 13, featuring the single "Simon Says."

NCT Dream released Mark's final song, "Candle Light" on December 27, 2018. He continued to be a popular guest and member on variety shows.

IV. 2019: First World Tour and SuperM

In January 2019, NCT 127 began its first concert tour, Neo City - The Origin, with worldwide stops until May. For Mark, who had not been home in several years, the tour stop in his hometown of Toronto was particularly memorable and celebrated in NCT social content at the time.

The group also released its first full-length Japanese album, Awaken. The group then increased its publicity in the United States ahead of the release of its fourth EP, We Are Superhuman, including appearing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. They also released an English version song "Highway to Heaven" of the Korean song on the EP and an accompanying video filmed in California. On October 24, 2019, 127 released a live album based on the Neo City concert tour: Neo City Seoul - The Origin.

SM Entertainment and Capitol Music Group announced a "K-pop supergroup" formed of members of popular SM boy groups. Described as "the Avengers of K-pop," the group included Shinee's Taemin, EXO's Kai and Baekhyun, NCT 127's Taeyong, NCT 127 and NCT Dream's Mark, and WayV's Ten and Lucas. As a heavily dance-focused group featuring members recognized as some of the top dancers in k-pop, Mark is one of the main rappers, lead dancers and the maknae. Mark's propulsive raps in both English and Korean often lead off SuperM title tracks, balanced against fellow NCT 127 rapper Taeyong's spitfire ones and Baekhyun's soaring vocals.

The group's promotional activity was heavily focused outside of Korea, notably in the United States. However, the group debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard charts on October 4 with its first EP SuperM.

In addition to his activities with NCT 127, Mark continued to appear as a guest on variety shows, as well as within special performances. Mark appeared in the ninth season, NCT Life: Chuncheon and Hongcheon, with NCT 127 members touring parts of South Korea.

IVI. 2020: Neo Zone and SuperM Full Album

NCT 127 released its second full album, Neo Zone, on March 6, 2020, as well as a repackage Neo Zone: The Final Round on May 19.

SM announced in April that it was eliminating the graduation system in Dream and that the unit would become rotational.

Mark participated in SuperM's reality show Mtopia with other SuperM members in the build-up to the release of their first album, as well as the reality show SuperM: As We Wish. SuperM's full album Super One was released in September 25, 2016, debuting at #2 on the U.S. Billboard charts. Additionally, SuperM participated in multiple live online events.

Mark participated in the NCT 2020 project in October 2020, featuring all NCT members, and debuting two new ones. This project also included a 2-part NCT full album, NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 and NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2. He appears as a singer on NCT 127's song "Music, Dance," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 3 songs: "90s Love," "Misfit" and "All About You." He also returned to NCT Dream for their single on the album "Deja Vu." He also features in the combination single "Resonance," which combines multiple songs, with his memorable intro. The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show.

IVII. 2021: NCT 127, NCT Dream and SuperM promotions

NCT 127 released its second Japanese release, Loveholic, in February 2021.

SuperM launched a promotional single, "We Do" with Prudential.

NCT Dream released its first full album, Hot Sauce, in May 2021. The album sold over 2 million copies, making NCT Dream the second artist to sell over 2 million copies of one album. He also appeared in two reality shows supporting the launch, 7Illin' in the Dream and Boys' Mental Training Camp 2.

On June 4, NCT 127 released a digital single, "Save", a collaboration with the Korean hip hop label, Amoeba Culture.

NCT Dream released a repackage of Hot Sauce, Hello Future, on June 28, which also became a million seller.

NCT 127 released its third Korean studio album Sticker on September 17, 2021, which was also certified as a 2 million seller. Additionally, Mark appeared in a new season of NCT Life, NCT Life in Gapyeong and a pair of new shows, Stick Together and Analog Trip NCT 127: Escape from Magic Island. In October, NCT 127 released a repackage of Sticker, Favorite, which became a million seller.

On November 3, NCT 127 released a digital single "Freeze" in collaboration with the video game Kartrider.

On December 14, NCT 2021 Universe, an all-unit NCT album was released. In addition to featuring in several of the rotational NCT U units, the NCT 127 song and the NCT Dream song, Mark co-wrote 4 songs on the album, including the two title tracks: "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" and "Beautiful."

On December 19, NCT 127 started its second concert tour, Neo City: The Link, with 3 nights in Seoul. During the shows, Mark debuted a solo song "Vibrations" and partnered with Taeyong on the song "The Himalayas," an unreleased track the two co-wrote and premiered on Knowing Bros as part of their promotion with the group SuperM.

IVIII. 2022-3: Solo work, CFs and albums

Mark's first solo song "Child" was released on February 4 as part of a new project under SM Station called NCT Lab, which highlights solo tracks, self-composed titles and more. The song reached #23 on the Korean charts, #8 on the Billboard U.S. world charts and charted in the top 25 in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, as well as topping the iTunes chart in 14 regions.

He talked about his work and performed on an episode of NCT's web show "Music Space".

He also featured in the NCT U unit and co-wrote the song for the next NCT Lab release "coNEXTion (Age of Light)."

NCT Dream released its second album, Glitch Mode, on March 28, along with an accompanying series 7Illin' in our Youth. The album became another 2 million seller. A repackage, Beatbox, was released on May 30.

In September, NCT 127 released its fourth album, the 2 million seller 질주 (2 Baddies). A new promotional series was also launched with the album, Fill It Up, which was similar to Stick Together, a mini reality series tied to Sticker promotions.

Mark featured on a song "Lit" with Taeyong for the soundtrack of the TV show, Street Man Fighter.

Mark appeared in shows for both NCT Dream and NCT 127 at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul for their respective tours, joining only a handful of kpop groups who have headlined there. As part of the 127 shows, Neo City: The Link+, the group debuted new mini sub-unit tracks. Mark featured on a song "Hello" with Johnny, Taeyong and Yuta, as well as the first live performances of "Lit."

In October, Mark was announced as the brand ambassador for Polo Ralph Lauren.

NCT Dream began its own tour The Dream Show 2.

In December, NCT Dream released a holiday mini album, Candy, another million seller.

In January 2023, NCT 127 released the 2 Baddies repackage, Ay-Yo, which was also a million seller.

In February, NCT Dream released its first Japanese single, "Best Friend Ever,' and continued on global legs of its The Dream Show 2 Tour.

In April 2023, Mark released his second solo single through SM Station NCT Lab, "Golden Hour."

In July, NCT Dream released its third album, ISTJ. The album became another multimillion seller, selling 3.6 million copies in its first week to become the third highest selling album in its first week in South Korea.

In August, he featured with the rest of NCT 127 in the documentary NCT 127: The Lost Boys. He also featured with the members on the NCT all-unit album, Golden Age and its accompanying all-unit NCT Nation concerts. He appears on "Baggy Jeans", the co-title track featuring members of the original NCT U The 7th Sense Unit; "PADO" and "That's Not Fair."

In October, NCT 127 released its fifth album, Fact Check. This album was another million seller, selling 1.8 million copies as of October 2023.

II. Discography

Performer:

Songwriter/Producer:

III. Videography

IV. Photos

NCT 2020 Resonance

NCT 2023 Golden Age

V. Trivia

- His NCT emoji is a 🐯(cub)

- Mark is the oldest member of NCT Dream and the second youngest in NCT 127. He is part of the maknae line in 127 and the hyung line in Dream!

- Mark can play the guitar and the piano.

- Mark is one of 2 native English speakers in NCT, along with Johnny. He is also extremely fluent in Korean.

- Mark is a prolific songwriter and has the most songwriting credits of any NCT member. He often writes songs with his group mate Taeyong, including some of NCT's most well known songs.

- Mark is funny, enthusiastic and energetic and adored by the older and younger members.

- Mark's excitable energy is often the source of many NCT catchphrases and quotes beloved by the fandom.

- Neos love to play pranks on Mark due to his gullible nature. For example, at 1:15, his hyungs Johnny and Jaehyun are pranking him and he's falling for it. At 6 minutes, there's another popular Mark line that still gets referenced by the Neos and NCTzens.

- He was originally a vocalist as a trainee.

- Mark's fans are called Markfs.

- SM released a video using the audio from NCT's MAMA performance that captures the journey of the members through their career.

- NCT members participated in a NCT 24 Hour Relay Cam that gives a snapshot of their daily lives.