Ten years is a long time to build a home. On July 8, Winwin officially closed that chapter, parting ways with SM Entertainment and stepping away from NCT for good.
SM Entertainment confirmed the news directly, stating the split was mutual and effective July 9, and thanking Winwin for more than a decade with the company since his trainee days. Fans, understandably, weren’t entirely blindsided — Winwin had been mostly inactive with both NCT 127 and WayV for years, having shifted his focus to acting and personal projects in China back in 2021.
But it was his own letter that hit hardest. Posted on Instagram, Winwin reflected on everything from his 2016 debut to his years with WayV, writing candidly about exhaustion, setbacks, and the small memories that carried him through. He specifically thanked Czennie and WayZenNi — NCT and WayV’s fandoms — promising he’ll “never forget the dream” he started with.
NCT Facts: Winwin’s Departure
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Departure Date | Effective July 9, 2026 |
| Years With SM | Over 10 years (since trainee days) |
| Groups | NCT, NCT 127, WayV |
| Debut Year | 2016 (NCT 127), 2019 (WayV) |
| Current Focus | Acting and personal studio in China |
| Departure Type | Mutual agreement |
Why This Departure Feels Different
Idol exits usually come wrapped in tension or vague statements. This one didn’t. Winwin’s letter reads less like a goodbye and more like gratitude — for the stages, the fans, and the version of himself SM helped shape. He’d already been running his own studio in China since 2021, so this move feels like a formal recognition of a path he’d quietly been walking for years.
It also adds to a growing pattern of long-time SM artists renegotiating their futures as major contracts come up for renewal — something fans have been watching closely across multiple groups this year.
Curious how another idol’s agency exit played out? TechnoSports covered Park Bom’s emotional departure from her label just last month.
