Ex-NCT and WayV Member Lucas Departs SM Entertainment

• Former NCT member Lucas has officially exited SM Entertainment, ending an eight-year tenure that included both success and controversy.
• Lucas’ 2021 scandal and serious allegations halted his group activities, eventually exiting from NCT and WayV.
• Lucas’ departure from SM depicts a greater shift in the K-pop industry where accountability is being prioritized over brand protection and preservation.

The eight-year relationship between former NCT member Lucas and K-pop titan SM Entertainment has just reached its end. In a brief statement issued Friday (April 24, 2026), the agency confirmed that Lucas’ exclusive contract had officially concluded on the same day, marking the total closure of a run that swung between global stardom and a high-profile scandal.

Lucas’s career began in 2018, when he was placed into NCT and its China-centric unit, WayV. With a charismatic on-screen presence, supported by one of the industry's "Big Four" agencies, he was a significant asset to SM’s strategy in localizing Hallyu across various Asian markets. However, the momentum suddenly hit a pause in 2021. Several allegations emerged against the member, alleging him of gaslighting, cheating, and manipulative behavior against multiple women. This particular scandal shattered the idol’s image, thereby triggering an instant suspension of all public activities.

Lucas’ Fallout, Exit, and a Complex Reset Attempt

While the K-pop industry often moves through scandals via strategic silences, the gravity of the allegations led to an irreversible structural shift. In May 2023, Lucas formally exited NCT and WayV. Although the move signaled the conclusion of his career as a member of the band, his relationship with the agency remained, most probably due to contract tenures. Nevertheless, SM attempted to rebrand Lucas as a soloist and released a solo EP, Renegade, in April 2024. According to industry analysts, the project appeared as a litmus test for his market viability after a two-year absence.

Eventually, that solo project served as a move towards an exit instead of a resurgence. In a final message posted to the fan community via the platform Weverse, SM Entertainment said, “We sincerely thank fans for the great love and support they have shown Lucas.” They further added, “We will cherish the time we have shared with Lucas, from his trainee days to his various activities following his debut, and we will support his new endeavors going forward.”

Audience Now Looks for Accountability Over Legacy in K-pop

The end of Lucas’ tenure depicts something more than just a member's departure. It showcases how accountability issues are being sharply observed in this digital age. By parting ways with an artist who was once a key export, SM is ending a turbulent period, emphasizing brand stability over the remains of a fragmented idol narrative. Nonetheless, Lucas will now be entering the open market, leaving behind the top institutional architecture that built and managed him until now.