Mark to Take Legal Action Over Wave of Hate Comments Following NCT Departure

Former NCT member and solo artist Mark Lee is preparing to take legal action against those behind malicious online posts and comments. His agency, UPPER ROOM, announced the plan on Sept. 2.

"The company will take firm legal action against malicious posts and comments that constitute cyberbullying, for the sake of our artist and fans," UPPER ROOM said in a statement.

The agency said it has been monitoring harmful online content since its establishment earlier this year. "Since our establishment in the first half of this year, we have continuously monitored malicious posts targeting the artist, including baseless defamation, the spread of false information, and violations of personal rights across various online platforms and social media," the statement read.

UPPER ROOM added that Mark is more concerned about the effect of the posts on his fans than the attacks directed at him. "The artist is more concerned about the emotional pain and stress our fans may experience from these malicious posts than his own," the agency said.

Mark, a Korean Canadian singer, ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment in April. He also departed NCT and its subunits NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. He later launched his own independent label, UPPER ROOM, where he serves as co-CEO.

Mark will release his new single "My Friend" on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. KST. It will be his first release since leaving SM Entertainment.