Mark Lee Begins His Next Chapter With New Single ‘My Friend’

Mark Lee is ready to release the first song of his post-SM chapter.

The former NCT member will release a new solo single, “My Friend,” on September 10 at 1 p.m. KST through Upper Room, the independent label he established earlier this year.

Upper Room unveiled the first music video teaser on September 2, introducing the track with a bright, cinematic visual built around open landscapes, movement and late-summer atmosphere.

The release will mark Mark’s first new music since leaving SM Entertainment and stepping away from NCT activities.

That makes “My Friend” more than a routine solo comeback.

Mark spent more than a decade inside SM’s system, debuting through NCT in 2016 and later building a solo catalog alongside his group activities. His move to Upper Room shifted that structure considerably, giving him a more direct role in shaping the next stage of his career.

Upper Room has described itself as a new home for Mark’s activities, with Mark taking on a leadership role at the company in addition to continuing as an artist.

Now “My Friend” becomes the first chance to see what that new setup actually sounds like.

The teaser itself suggests a noticeably different visual direction from Mark’s previous SM-era solo releases. Rather than leaning heavily into performance sets or dense urban styling, the campaign centers wide outdoor spaces, natural light, fields, roads and fire imagery.

That contrast gives the rollout a sense of reset without making the song feel disconnected from the artist fans already know.

Upper Room has not yet revealed the full production credits or a larger project attached to the single.

For now, “My Friend” stands as a first step.

Not just a new song — the first release in a chapter Mark is now helping build himself.