Mark’s Rumored Career Change After Leaving NCT And SM Entertainment Sparks Shock

Just a month after leaving NCT and SM Entertainment, Mark may already be plotting his next move, and it looks like it could be in the United States.

| @onyourm__ark/Instagram

Speculation kicked off after Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, followed Mark on social media.

Balogun is a serious name in the industry. He came up at RCA Records where he helped build careers for artists like Khalid, SZA, and Bryson Tiller before taking the top seat at Def Jam.

260420 moodcloud.official instagram #MARK #마크

It has been confirmed that Tunji the CEI of Def Jam Records has followed Mark. Def Jam Records is a leading American hip-hop label with a number of famous artists, including Justin Bieber and Big Sean. pic.twitter.com/38mASfsRbD

— ㄲㅁ (@mybelovesun) April 21, 2026

That one action was enough to send fans into a spiral of theories about what Mark’s solo career might look like, and whether a US label deal could actually be in the works.

| @onyourm__ark/Instagram

Some fans are excited and fully backing the move.

Tunji Balogun, CEO of Def Jam Recordings (recording label of artists like Justin Bieber, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor and more, previously Frank Ocean and Rihanna worked with them too) followed Mark on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Oy8Msrh7tK

— ᴄᴀʀᴏʟɪɴᴇ (@anythingforlmk) April 19, 2026

Others are more skeptical, questioning whether a US debut makes sense before he’s even established himself as a solo act in Korea first.

He really thinks the US will gaf https://t.co/EMxnNAqqE1

— BLACKMAMBA (@THEOGBLACKMAMBA) May 13, 2026

Maybe he should start with Korea before the U.S

— Chewinghum🧚‍♂️ (@Sourstrawbweey) May 13, 2026

There’s also concern about what SM Entertainment’s response might be. The company has a rumored history of quietly cutting off former artists from appearances on Korean music shows.

Knowing how vindicated SM is . They prob will blackball him from performing on Korean music shows like they did Jessica

— 🪽 heaven with evan (@evanminutes) May 13, 2026

Good for him and wishing him the best. But hope he doesn't suddenly appear on K-music shows to promote. He can do it in Hollywood or wherever

— K (@knnccbye) May 13, 2026

Whether any of this leads to an actual deal remains to be seen. Mark hasn’t said anything publicly about his next steps. But the fact that a major label executive made one small move on social media was all it took to get the internet talking.

Everyone is clearly tuned in to what he does next!

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