{"id":2008679,"date":"2026-06-24T11:30:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2008679"},"modified":"2026-06-24T11:30:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:30:04","slug":"former-nct-member-marks-record-label-apologise-for-confederate-flag-t-shirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2008679","title":{"rendered":"Former NCT member Mark\u2019s record label apologise for Confederate flag t-shirt"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_marklee_getty_2000x1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former NCT member Mark\u2019s record label apologise for Confederate flag t-shirt<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Damian Jones<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-06-24T12:30:04+01:00\">24th June 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_marklee_getty_2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Lee, former member of NCT\" title=\"Celebrities Spotted At 2025 Australian Open\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Mark Lee, former member of NCT at the Australian Open on January 26, 2025 in Melbourne CREDIT: VCG\/VCG via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Former NCT singer Mark Lee\u2018s record label have apologised after the Canadian K-pop star was pictured wearing a Confederate flag t-shirt.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Mark \u2013 \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019 review: NCT\u2019s splintered backbone paints himself whole<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>His label Upper Room have since posted an Instagram Story with a lengthy apology over the incident.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Posted yesterday (Tuesday June 23), they wrote: \u201cWe would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item. However, upon recognising the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite these efforts, the image was subsequently shared externally, resulting in the symbol being visible and causing understandable concern among members of the public.\u201d<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.complex.com\/complex\/image\/upload\/c_crop,h_2636,w_1290,x_0,y_0\/g_auto:aoi_516_1055_258_527,q_auto,f_avif,c_fill,ar_0.49,w_2048\/sanity-new\/IMG_8835_bossru\" alt=\"A statement from Upper Room apologizing for a vintage T-shirt with a sensitive symbol, addressing concerns and promising better oversight.\"><\/p>\n<p>Acknowledging that the intention behind Lee\u2019s shirt didn\u2019t erase the harm it may have caused, the statement continued by recognising that \u201cthis matter should have been handled with greater diligence and care. We take full responsibility for this oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It added. \u201cUpper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance. We understand the seriousness of the concerns that have been raised and deeply regret the distress this incident has caused,\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>The company went on to sat it would \u201cstrengthen\u201d its internal review procedures for wardrobe selections and content approval to avoid future incidents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe sincerely apologise to everyone who was hurt, offended, or disappointed by this situation. We remain committed to acting with greater responsibility, awareness, and care moving forward,\u201d Upper Room concluded.<\/p>\n<p>The Confederate flag dates to the Civil War era of the 1860s when it was used by slave-owning states in the South.<\/p>\n<p>Many Americans now view it as a racist symbol although others defend it as an emblem of southern heritage, according to <em>BBC News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Mark was a member of both NCT Dream\u00a0and\u00a0NCT 127 before he quit in April. At the time, SM Entertainment stated (via <em>Billboard<\/em>) that his departure was based on a \u201cmutual agreement\u201d between the artist and company, while Lee said in a message to fans, \u201cI\u2019m truly and always thinking about you guys \u2026 and I\u2019ll really be working very very hard to make it all make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last year he released his debut solo album \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019, which received four stars from <em>NME<\/em> and was described as the singer piecing \u201ctogether the building blocks of his life in a deeply personal offering\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It added: \u201cAfter fracturing himself into pieces for nearly a decade, Mark has crafted something of an autobiographical marvel with \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019. The world of K-pop can sometimes fall into the trap of eschewing authenticity in favour of surface-level platitudes, but the NCT star lays it all bare. This is Mark, complete and whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>K-pop<\/li>\n<li>Mark Lee<\/li>\n<li>NCT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div 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2017<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Former NCT singer Mark Lee\u2018s record label have apologised after the Canadian K-pop star was pictured wearing a Confederate flag t-shirt.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-content-read-more\">\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Mark \u2013 \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019 review: NCT\u2019s splintered backbone paints himself whole<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>His label Upper Room have since posted an Instagram Story with a lengthy apology over the incident.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Posted yesterday (Tuesday June 23), they wrote: \u201cWe would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item. However, upon recognising the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite these efforts, the image was subsequently shared externally, resulting in the symbol being visible and causing understandable concern among members of the public.\u201d<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.complex.com\/complex\/image\/upload\/c_crop,h_2636,w_1290,x_0,y_0\/g_auto:aoi_516_1055_258_527,q_auto,f_avif,c_fill,ar_0.49,w_2048\/sanity-new\/IMG_8835_bossru\" alt=\"A statement from Upper Room apologizing for a vintage T-shirt with a sensitive symbol, addressing concerns and promising better oversight.\"><\/p>\n<p>Acknowledging that the intention behind Lee\u2019s shirt didn\u2019t erase the harm it may have caused, the statement continued by recognising that \u201cthis matter should have been handled with greater diligence and care. We take full responsibility for this oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It added. \u201cUpper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance. We understand the seriousness of the concerns that have been raised and deeply regret the distress this incident has caused,\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>The company went on to sat it would \u201cstrengthen\u201d its internal review procedures for wardrobe selections and content approval to avoid future incidents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe sincerely apologise to everyone who was hurt, offended, or disappointed by this situation. We remain committed to acting with greater responsibility, awareness, and care moving forward,\u201d Upper Room concluded.<\/p>\n<p>The Confederate flag dates to the Civil War era of the 1860s when it was used by slave-owning states in the South.<\/p>\n<p>Many Americans now view it as a racist symbol although others defend it as an emblem of southern heritage, according to <em>BBC News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Mark was a member of both NCT Dream\u00a0and\u00a0NCT 127 before he quit in April. At the time, SM Entertainment stated (via <em>Billboard<\/em>) that his departure was based on a \u201cmutual agreement\u201d between the artist and company, while Lee said in a message to fans, \u201cI\u2019m truly and always thinking about you guys \u2026 and I\u2019ll really be working very very hard to make it all make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last year he released his debut solo album \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019, which received four stars from <em>NME<\/em> and was described as the singer piecing \u201ctogether the building blocks of his life in a deeply personal offering\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It added: \u201cAfter fracturing himself into pieces for nearly a decade, Mark has crafted something of an autobiographical marvel with \u2018The Firstfruit\u2019. The world of K-pop can sometimes fall into the trap of eschewing authenticity in favour of surface-level platitudes, but the NCT star lays it all bare. This is Mark, complete and whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/former-nct-member-marks-record-label-apologise-for-confederate-flag-t-shirt-3952886&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_marklee_getty_2000x1270.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Former NCT member Mark\u2019s record label apologise for Confederate flag t-shirt &#8220;We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph\u201d By Damian Jones 24th June 2026 Mark Lee, former member of NCT at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2008679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2008679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2008679"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2008679\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2008679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2008679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2008679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}