Former NCT member Mark Lee is facing another wave of criticism online after fans discovered that one of his closest managers in Upper Room still follows former NCT member Taeil on Instagram.
The controversy began to spread on social media after fans noticed that David Lee, a manager closely linked to Mark’s current activities, continued to follow Taeil despite the former idol’s criminal conviction and removal from NCT.
Screenshots of the Instagram following quickly circulated online, leading many fans to wonder whether people within Mark’s inner circle still maintain ties to Taeil.
Taeil was removed from the 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 turned their frustration towards Upper Room and Mark himself.
According to Koreaboo, one user wrote, “Can you tell your manager to at least unfollow this person?” Another commented that people should pay more attention to those around the singer.
Fans question Mark Lee’s inner circle
The issue comes just days after Mark was already facing backlash for photos showing him wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt. 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 apologetic statement regarding the T-shirt controversy, PopRant reported.
However, many fans argued that the response failed to fully address the gravity of the situation. The apology itself quickly became another topic of online debate.
Now, with the Instagram discovery involving Taeil, discussions about Mark have become even more intense. Some fans have wondered whether the continued connection on social media reflects personal bonds between people close to Mark and Taeil.
Others, however, point out that following someone on social media does not automatically confirm an active personal relationship.
However, many fans expressed disappointment with the discovery due to Taeil’s criminal case and the impact it had on NCT’s image.
