Mark Lee took to Instagram Live on Thursday (Aug. 20) to apologize almost two months after he was seen wearing a Confederate flag t-shirt.
In the Live, Lee addressed his Black fans and the broader Black community, asking to give space to regain their trust.
"Regarding the t-shirt with the Confederate flag on it — I am aware of the pain that it brought to a lot of people," he said. "And especially to my Black fans, to the Black community. I know that I should have — I am very responsible for them. I just really wanted to directly tell you guys that it really wasn't my intention with me knowing the meaning of the flag, the historical significance of it. It really shouldn't have happened. And it really does not reflect who I am as a person."
The 26-year-old former NCT member also acknowledged the damage to his relationship with fans. "It really breaks my heart to think that maybe the trust has been broken," he said. "But I promise you that I'll make it up to you guys. Just with my actions and with my music, I'll make sure to make it up to you guys. If you will allow me to have one more chance."
The incident traces back to June 23, when two photographs of Lee wearing a raglan-sleeve vintage T-shirt bearing a Confederate flag on the chest and the word "Virginia" on one sleeve began circulating online. One photo showed him posing with Korean content creator Magician Perry; in the other, he appeared to be signing a playing card for a magic trick. The images drew swift backlash from fans and commentators who highlighted the flag's close ties to racism, slavery, and white supremacy in the United States.
Lee's label, Upper Room, which he founded after departing SM Entertainment and NCT in June 2026, issued a formal apology the following day. The statement described the garment as "selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item" and said the label had moved to keep it out of any official content once its significance was recognized. Upper Room pledged to strengthen internal review procedures for wardrobe and content approval, and stated that Lee and the label "unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance."
During Thursday's livestream, Lee said the team had acted quickly once the photos surfaced. "When I first heard about it — actually, I read about it. I was shocked. And our entire team made sure that it wasn't on any official content, but the picture got leaked. And we instantly uploaded an apology as well."
A follow-up Instagram post after the livestream clarified that Lee had misspoken during the stream; he had appeared to suggest he knew the flag's meaning when he wore it, but the post stated he did not know its historical significance at the time.
Lee also pushed back on what he called "silly TikTok videos" alleging he had joined a religious cult. "I am not in a cult. I'm a Christian, and I always have been and there's no question about it," he said, adding that he could barely believe the claim required a public response. He confirmed he is currently living in New York with a person named Stephen, whom he described not as a manager but as "a really good friend" and "music collaborator." Lee said the two have been making music together since April, characterizing the arrangement as "pretty much like a songwriting camp right now."
Lee closed the livestream with another direct apology. "Once again, I truly would like to apologize for the pain that that picture has brought to a lot of people. And I promise to educate myself more on that matter as well."
