NCT’s Mark Addresses Overworking Concerns with SM Entertainment in New Single ‘Fraktsiya’

Mark Lee: NCT’s Remarkable Talent and Voice Against Overwork

Mark Lee, a standout figure in the K-pop realm, has established himself as a quintessential talent within the diverse landscape of NCT. With his involvement in every NCT subunit—U, Dream, and 127—he has demonstrated not just immense skill and charisma but also an exceptional work ethic that is hard to match.

Candid Revelations in New Music

In an unprecedented move, Mark Lee used his lead single “Fraktsiya ft. Lee Young Ji,”from his upcoming solo album slated for release in February 2025, to address his grievances with SM Entertainment regarding his demanding schedule.

The track features bold verses that blend self-confidence with subtle critiques of his management’s relentless approach to his career. In a genre where complaints are rare, Mark’s lyrics emerge as a refreshing remark on the realities many artists face.

Powerful Lyrics, Powerful Message

“Yeah, how many schedules in a day? (Baby, listen)
My airline miles fling honeymoon out of space
SM got to wait
Phone is buzzing, uh, photoshoot with Young Ji
I said, wait
Name somebody who can juggle three teams
Still come up with the best solo album
At the same time, with no rest time”

In these lines, Mark paints a vivid picture of his life filled with endless travel and commitments. As one of the only two NCT members active in all three subunits—alongside his talented bandmate Haechan—Mark’s right to voice his concerns is underscored by years of dedicated service to the company.

Fan Reactions and Industry Implications

The release of “Fraktsiya”has ignited a buzz among the NCT fandom, prompting discussions about SM Entertainment’s decision to approve the release of a track featuring such direct criticism. Many speculate that Mark’s invaluable status to the label could have compelled them to allow the candid remarks to see the light of day.

blatantly dissimg SM and they have no choice but to release it and give mark what he wants because even they know they hit the jackpot with this guy pic.twitter.com/6g4AhdPpZ9

— would cook ✘ fraktsiya! (@dpryuta) December 16, 2024

A Commitment to Excellence

As he prepares for his solo debut, Mark has already unveiled tracks like “200,”further building anticipation for the album. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he emphasized the dedication he’s pouring into this project.

“I am putting every ounce of my soul into this album, no joke,”Mark stated. He reinforced the idea that his focus is unwavering: “There isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not working on this album or not thinking about this album. It’s going to be an album that I’m not going to have any regrets on, but I’m just really, really working hard on it.”

Mark Lee’s journey thus far highlights a vital conversation within the music industry about the well-being of artists and the balance between talent management and personal health. His voice, both in music and in candid interviews, continues to inspire conversations about the industry’s demands on its stars.

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