April 2026 has been a seismic month for NCT fans. First Mark, then Ten, and now — completing what feels like a quiet but significant dismantling of an era — Lucas has officially ended his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment as of April 24, 2026. Three departures, one month, one unmistakable message: a chapter is closing.
Lucas at SM Entertainment — Overview
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Debuted with NCT U on the single BOSS (February 18) |
| 2018 | Official debut via NCT 2018 Empathy studio album |
| 2018–2021 | Active in WayV and SuperM alongside EXO, SHINee, NCT members |
| 2021 | Personal controversy leads to exit from NCT and sub-units |
| May 2023 | Launched solo career |
| April 24, 2026 | Exclusive contract with SM Entertainment officially concludes |
What SM Entertainment Said?
The announcement was posted directly on Lucas’ Weverse channel, with SM Entertainment confirming the contract conclusion in a warm but straightforward statement. The agency expressed gratitude for his journey — from his trainee days all the way through his post-debut activities — and encouraged fans to support him as he begins this new independent chapter.
It is worth noting that Lucas’ departure follows a very different path compared to his fellow departing members. Mark left NCT 127 and NCT DREAM entirely after a decade-long journey, while Ten expressed a desire to remain associated with NCT U and WayV on a collaborative basis. Lucas, whose personal controversy in 2021 had already separated him from the group’s active lineup, had been operating as a soloist since May 2023 — making this contract conclusion feel more like a formal closing of a door that was already ajar.
What This Means for the NCT Universe Going Forward
Three key members departing from SM Entertainment in a single month is notable, and it signals what many fans have been sensing for a while — that NCT as a collective is entering a significant period of structural transition. The group’s famously large and multi-unit format, which once seemed like an endlessly expandable system, is clearly evolving.
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