After Mark, Ten Exits NCT, Will Remain With SM Via Hybrid Mode

• After Mark, Ten from NCT will depart SM Entertainment’s exclusive management framework.
• Despite the exit, Ten will be available for ventures associated with WayV and NCT on a case-by-case, flexible basis.
• Many legacy artists of SM, like EXO’s D.O. and SHINee’s Taemin, are associated with the company through hybrid measures.

K-pop giant SM Entertainment recently made it public that Ten from NCT is the latest high-profile star to depart the agency’s unique artist palette. As per the agency’s statement cited by Korea JoongAng Daily and The Korea Herald, Ten’s exclusive contract will expire on April 8, 2026. The company said that after "lengthy" and "in-depth" discussions regarding his future, it was deemed best for Ten to be independent. 

Despite NCT member Ten’s departure from SM’s direct management, he will remain a permanent fixture in NCT and WayV (Chinese subunit). According to SM Entertainment, the company and Ten will remain coordinating to ensure his participation in future group promotions, as and when needed. A similar flexible, non-exclusive management framework, such as Ten’s, was also adopted by veteran SM artists like Taemin and D.O.

The Dual-Track Idol Strategy of SM Entertainment

Ten, a Thai national, has been one of the most popular members of the NCT ecosystem since his launch in NCT U. His career pathway then evolved through WayV and SuperM. This allowed him to create a dual track record as an artist who is a distinct solo act as well as a part of a performance-focused group. By taking his “outstanding capabilities” in the sector into account, SM pledged to back Ten’s professional endeavors beyond the label’s traditional limitations.

Ten’s departure comes immediately after Mark’s exit from both SM Entertainment and NCT, after the end of his contract. Together, these exits showcase that agencies nowadays do not conform to traditional, rigid patterns and move towards a more segmented, individual-centric landscape.

The Changing Landscape of Agency Economy in K-pop

This industry-wide pivot comes amidst intensifying competition from market rivals like YG Entertainment, HYBE, and JYP Entertainment. Although in 2023, SM faced investor scrutiny over artist retention and contract renewals (related to EXO-CBX, which continues to present), it reported annual revenues that surpassed ₩1 trillion (~$690 million USD). Within this profitability, NCT remained one of the company’s key revenue-generating groups, which continuously drove high-volume album sales, global touring, and merchandising.

All in all, as Ten exits SM Entertainment in a hybrid manner, it reflects a new reality in the K-pop sector. It shows the necessity to balance the lucrative stability of established group brands with the personal career aims of their stars. As the industry struggles with contract issues in various companies, including fluidity, the agency model is continually reshaping, negotiating one exit at a time, while being connected through an extended legal method.