Mark, formerly of NCT, officially apologized following a controversy surrounding a shirt he wore featuring the Confederate flag. On June 23, 2026, his agency, Upper Room, issued a statement on their official social media accounts regarding the incident.
In the statement, Upper Room said, "We sincerely apologize for the concern and disappointment caused by the vintage t-shirts featured in recent photos." They explained that the t-shirts were chosen as part of a vintage fashion statement, but later realized the historical significance and sensitivity of the symbols on the shirts.
The agency also added, "We tried to ensure the symbol wasn't visible in official content, but it ultimately became visible when the associated image was shared. Regardless of intent, this is something that should have been reviewed more carefully."
The Confederate flag itself is associated with the American Civil War, when the Confederacy seceded from the United States in support of slavery. Today, the flag is seen as a symbol of racism and white supremacy in the US and often causes controversy when worn by public figures.
Upper Room emphasized, "The responsibility for this issue lies entirely with the company and the artist. Mark and Upper Room oppose racism, hatred, discrimination, and all forms of intolerance."
The agency also committed to strengthening its review process for clothing and content to prevent similar issues in the future. "We sincerely apologize to anyone who felt hurt or uncomfortable. We will act with greater responsibility going forward," they added.
Mark first debuted with NCT in 2016 and rose to global fame through NCT 127 and NCT Dream . After ending his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, he launched his own independent label, Upper Room, and is now focusing on his solo career.
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