A former K-pop group member is facing backlash from upset fans after being photographed in a T-shirt featuring a Confederate flag.
Mark Lee, previously associated with the South Korean pop group NCT, was seen wearing the gray baseball-style shirt during a fan meet-and-greet.
Images of the 26-year-old Canadian-born singer quickly circulated online, drawing strong criticism from viewers who questioned how the symbol went unnoticed.
‘Let’s not make excuses for him. It’s 2026, he’s a grown man who grew up in Toronto and also spent many years living in New York. I don’t believe for a second he doesn’t know what that flag means,’ one angry commenter wrote.
Another echoed the sentiment, writing: ‘Mark is Canadian, he even lived in the US, there is no way he doesn’t know what that flag is…’
A third fan said they had initially assumed the controversy involved a barely visible design detail, only to be stunned by the size of the image. ‘Same. I saw the apology but not the shirt, and I was expecting it to be something small in the background that they didn’t notice. I was not prepared for it to be a giant Confederate flag with Virginia in huge letters down the sleeve,’ they wrote.
The original photos have since been removed from Instagram, though copies continued to spread after being posted on Reddit.
Following the backlash, Lee’s agency, Upper Room, released an official apology on Instagram on Tuesday morning, saying the shirt was vintage and that the symbol had not been immediately recognized.
Mark Lee, who is a former member of the South Korean pop group NCT, was snapped wearing a gray baseball-style T-shirt that featured a symbol that appeared to be the Confederate flag
Upper Room wrote: ‘We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph.
‘The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item,’ it continued.
‘However, upon recognizing the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content.’
The label continued, saying that despite trying to hide the symbol in photographs, it made its way into the public eye, which caused ‘understandable concern among members of the public.’
‘Regardless of intent, we recognize that this matter should have been handled with greater diligence and care. We take full responsibility for this oversight,’ it said.
‘Upper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance,’ it wrote, adding they understand the ‘seriousness of the concerns that have been raised’ and ‘deeply regret the distress the incident has caused.’
‘We are also grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention. We value the feedback we have received and are carefully listening to the concerns expressed by our community,’ they continued.
The agency also pledged to strengthen its ‘internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.’
His agency, Upper Room, later shared their apologies online in a lengthy statement
Photos of the 26-year-old singer, who was born in Canada, in the shirt were widely shared online, sparking fury from fans
Horrified fans slammed the former K-pop member after he was pictured wearing a T-shirt with a Confederate flag on it
‘We sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt, offended or disappointed by this situation,’ it concluded the statement. ‘We remain committed to acting with greater responsibility, awareness, and care moving forward.’
The Confederate flag symbolizes the Confederate States of America, which advocated for the preservation of slavery during the American Civil War.
The symbol is now often seen as a symbol of racial discrimination and white supremacy.
Lee officially left the K-pop group NCT after a decade with the SM Entertainment acts in April 2026.
