Former K-pop group member Mark Lee is facing criticism from fans after being photographed wearing a T-shirt featuring a Confederate flag. The images circulated online during a fan meet-and-greet.
Fans expressed anger and disbelief, with many stating that Lee, who is Canadian and has lived in the United States, should be aware of the flag's historical significance and its association with racism and white supremacy. The Confederate flag symbolizes the Confederate States of America, which fought to preserve slavery during the American Civil War.
Lee's agency, Upper Room, released an official apology via Instagram, describing the T-shirt as a vintage item that was selected as a wardrobe piece without immediate recognition of the symbol's sensitive nature. The agency stated that measures were taken to obscure the symbol in official content, but it inadvertently appeared in a shared photograph.
"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," the agency wrote. "The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item. However, upon recognizing 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."
Upper Room acknowledged that the incident should have been handled with greater diligence and took full responsibility for the oversight. The agency emphasized that both the artist and the company unequivocally reject racism, hate, discrimination, and intolerance. They stated their commitment to strengthening internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to prevent future occurrences. The apology concluded with a pledge to act with greater responsibility, awareness, and care moving forward.
Mark Lee was a member of the South Korean pop group NCT for a decade before officially departing in April 2026.