{"id":758128,"date":"2026-06-24T13:36:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/758128\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T13:36:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:36:13","slug":"mark-lees-label-apologizes-for-confederate-flag-shirt-photo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/758128\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Lee’s Label Apologizes for Confederate Flag Shirt Photo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tMark Lee \u2014 a K-pop star who was, up until recently, a member of NCT<\/a> \u2014 has come under fire for photos that show him wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt, something his Upper Room label has now apologized for in a statement.<\/p>\n

\n\tPosted on Tuesday (June 23), a block of text on the company\u2019s Instagram Story<\/a> began, \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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item,\u201d it continued. \u201cHowever, 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. Despite these efforts, the image was subsequently shared externally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAcknowledging that the intention behind Lee\u2019s shirt didn\u2019t erase the harm it may have caused, the statement continued by recognizing that \u201cthis matter should have been handled with greater diligence and care.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe take full responsibility for this oversight,\u201d it added. \u201cUpper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance. We are also grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention. In response, we will strengthen our internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBased on fan reports online, the photos of Lee wearing a shirt emblazoned with the flag \u2014 which the Anti-Defamation League<\/a> classifies as a hate symbol due to its historic association with white supremacy \u2014 were taken at a fan event. It also appears that Upper Room was the original source of the pictures, posting them on social media before quickly taking them down.<\/p>\n

\n\tBillboard has reached out to the label for more information.<\/p>\n

\n\tLee founded Upper Room earlier in June after departing NCT 127 and NCT DREAM in April. At the time, SM Entertainment stated<\/a> 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

\n\tIn April 2025, Lee dropped his first solo album, The Firstfruit, topping Billboard\u2018s year-end list of the best K-pop albums of 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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