Mark Lee Wants to Convey ‘the Greatest Love’ Through His New Song ‘My Friend’

Five months after his departure from SM Entertainment and NCT , Mark has returned as singer-songwriter Mark Lee with his new single, “My Friend.” Related The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2025: Staff Picks Juanes on His Most Extensive U.S.

Tour Yet: 'I Think Right Now We Have the Best Version of Our Show' Dionne Warwick, Mya, Saweetie Join Forces on New Anthem 'One Heart Can Change the World' “The new tracks I’m working on right now take completely unexpected directions and styles,” he tells Billboard Korea .

“But I’ve gained the conviction that this is exactly the music I should be putting out as my present self.” The new single, “My Friend,” is a mid-tempo track driven by a breezy guitar loop.

It captures a refreshing and laid-back mood, leaving a lingering sense of nostalgia as summer draws to a close.

Over the past decade, Mark has built an impressive career as a K-pop powerhouse, undergoing five debuts, two permanent groups and numerous unit projects.

He is arguably the only artist in K-pop history to have pulled off such an extensive and diverse resume.

Shedding the image of his long-standing group promotions with the release of his first solo album, The Firstfruit , in 2025, he proved his prowess as a solo artist by securing the No.

1 spot on Billboard ’s 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2025 : Staff Picks.

“I want to make music for a long time,” Mark shares regarding his future aspirations.

“Being fiercely competitive isn’t necessarily the goal anymore.

Instead, I want to do my absolute best to spread a positive influence through both my music and my life.” Keep reading for his Q&A with Billboard Korea .

You’ve wrapped up 10 fierce years of group life and become independent as a singer-songwriter.

Through your vlogs, you’ve also shared your ordinary daily life in New York, rather than as an artist.

How did the changes in your environment, both in your daily life and musically, influence the work on your new song? I think my new challenge has changed so many things.