Former NCT Member Mark Faces Fresh Backlash After Manager's Alleged Taeil Connection Resurfaces

Former NCT member Mark Lee is facing another wave of online criticism after fans discovered that one of his closest managers at Upper Room still follows former NCT member Taeil on Instagram.

The controversy began spreading across social media after fans noticed that David Lee, a manager closely connected to Mark's current activities, continued following Taeil despite the former idol's criminal conviction and removal from NCT.

Screenshots of the Instagram follow quickly circulated online, leading many fans to question whether people within Mark's inner circle still maintain ties with Taeil.

Taeil was removed from NCT in September 2023 after being found guilty of quasi-rape and receiving a prison sentence of more than three years. Since then, he has largely disappeared from public activities and has been heavily criticized within the K-pop community.

As the screenshots gained attention online, some fans directed their frustration toward Upper Room and Mark himself.

According to Koreaboo, one user wrote, "Can you tell your manager to unfollow this person at least?" Another commented that people should pay closer attention to those surrounding the singer.

Fans Question Mark Lee's Inner Circle

The issue comes only days after Mark was already facing backlash over photos showing him wearing a shirt featuring the Confederate flag. The symbol is widely linked to slavery and white supremacy in the United States, causing strong reactions online.

Following the criticism, Upper Room released an apology statement regarding the shirt controversy, PopRant reported.

However, many fans argued that the response failed to fully address the seriousness of the situation. The apology itself soon became another topic of debate online.

Now, with the Instagram discovery involving Taeil, discussions around Mark have grown even more intense. Some fans have questioned whether the continued social media connection reflects personal ties between people close to Mark and Taeil.

Others, however, pointed out that following someone on social media does not automatically confirm an active personal relationship.

Still, many fans expressed disappointment over the discovery because of Taeil's criminal case and the impact it had on NCT's image.