Mark (rapper)
A trilingual rap dynamo from Vancouver, he became the beating heart of NCT's complex universe, juggling multiple groups before stepping out on his own.
Born 1999 (age 27)·Canadian rapper·Birthday: August 2·Generation Z
Biography
Mark Lee's story is one of relentless hustle within the meticulously crafted world of K-pop. Recruited by SM Entertainment in his native Vancouver as a teenager, he was molded into a central pillar of their ambitious NCT project, a group with an ever-rotating lineup. Fluent in English and Korean, with a sharp, rhythmic rap delivery, Mark became the only member to perform in all of NCT's fixed sub-units—NCT U, NCT 127, and NCT Dream—as well as the supergroup SuperM. For nearly a decade, his schedule was a blur of concepts, comebacks, and continents, earning him a reputation as the 'hardest working idol' in the industry. In 2025, after his contract expired, he made the bold decision to leave SM Entertainment, launching a solo career that allowed his distinct musical identity, rooted in hip-hop and R&B, to finally take center stage beyond the corporate machinery.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Mark was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mark Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Mark's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was the only member to be part of all three fixed sub-units of NCT: NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U.
- Debuted as a central member of SuperM, the 'K-pop Avengers' supergroup formed by SM Entertainment and Capitol Records.
- Released his first solo studio album, 'The Firstfruit,' in April 2025 after departing from SM Entertainment.
- Co-wrote lyrics for numerous NCT songs, including 'Cherry Bomb' and 'Kick It.'
Did You Know?
He is fluent in English, Korean, and conversational in Mandarin.
He attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA).
His stage name is simply his first name, Mark.
He is known for his distinctive high-tops and often wears them during performances.
“I'm just trying to make music that feels real to me.”
