Mark Lee Wants to Convey ‘the Greatest Love’ Through His New Song ‘My Friend’
"This is exactly the music I should be putting out as my present self," the K-pop star tells Billboard Korea .
Mark Lee, formerly of SM Entertainment and NCT, has returned as singer-songwriter Mark Lee with his new single, "My Friend." This mid-tempo track, driven by a breezy guitar loop, captures a refreshing, nostalgic feel as summer winds down. Over his decade-long career, Lee has had five debuts, two permanent groups, and numerous unit projects, proving himself as a versatile artist. To mark his return, Lee released his first solo album, The Firstfruit, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2025.
Since leaving his group, Lee has shared his everyday life in New York through his vlogs, offering a more personal side of his life. He attributes the changes in his environment and music to his new challenge as a full-fledged singer-songwriter. Lee emphasizes that his mindset has settled during this process, allowing him to focus on melodies and vocal aspects. He has always been passionate about singing since his youth, and he feels he is now expressing that passion fully.
Preparing for this new song came with pressure, but Lee's natural tendency to do his best whenever entrusted with a task helped him overcome the worries. He acknowledges the pressure, but he genuinely enjoys his new music. In the future, Lee plans to continue making music and share stories that can positively influence the world. His goal is to let his songs open doors to new chapters and reveal his side as a singer-songwriter.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
