NCT Ten Leaves SM After 10 Years Since Debut…“Coordination to Continue NCT and WayV Activities”

Ten, the Thai member of the K-pop group NCT (NCT) and WayV (WayV), is leaving his agency SM Entertainment after 10 years since his debut.

Exclusive contract to be wrapped up effective April 8 On the 6th, SM Entertainment made an urgent announcement through its official statement that it will end Ten’s exclusive contract. SM said, “After deep discussions about Ten’s direction for future activities, we have decided to conclude the exclusive contract effective April 8.” Ten debuted in April 2016 as part of NCT’s unit NCT U and has also broadly worked as a member of the SM-affiliated boys’ group ‘SuperM’ (SuperM) alongside WayV. With this, he is set to part ways beautifully with the agency he has been with for 10 years.

Keeping the door open for continued group activities Although Ten is leaving the agency, he is expected to remain involved in team activities going forward. Along with informing the public that his exclusive contract has ended, SM explained, “We plan to coordinate so that Ten can participate in future WayV and NCT group activities,” fully opening up the possibility of group activities. It added, “We want to express our gratitude to Ten, who has shown outstanding capabilities not only in group activities since his debut but also as a solo artist, and we will sincerely cheer for Ten’s new start.” “We will continue to support the activities of WayV members without holding back,” it concluded.

A turning point for NCT on its 10th anniversary since debut With Ten’s decision to go solo, attention is also focused on the group’s overall trajectory for this year, when NCT is celebrating its 10th anniversary since debut. Recently, Mark—who was a core member of the team—ended his contract with SM and left the group, bringing about major change. Against that backdrop, Ten is also encountering a new turning point. However, unlike Mark, who left both the team and the company, Ten plans to continue the thread of group activities even if his agency changes. As a result, global fans’ interest is centered on the opportunities for his solo leap at his own pace, as well as the synergy he can create as a member of WayV.