The NCT Exodus Continues — Lucas Officially Parts Ways With SM Entertainment After 8 Years

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 —…

By Reetam Bodhak

April 24, 2026

3 min read

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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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FAQs

Q: Why did Lucas leave SM Entertainment?

Lucas’ exclusive contract with SM Entertainment concluded on April 24, 2026, after 8 years with the agency. He had already been working as a solo artist since May 2023 following his earlier exit from NCT and its sub-units.

Q: Who else from NCT left SM Entertainment in April 2026?

Lucas is the third NCT-affiliated artist to depart SM Entertainment in April 2026, following Mark’s exit from NCT 127 and NCT DREAM, and Ten’s departure, though Ten expressed a wish to continue collaborating with NCT U and WayV in the future.