Overview
- SM Entertainment said Wednesday that, after careful talks, it mutually agreed to end Winwin’s exclusive contract and that he will conclude all NCT activities effective July 9, 2026.
- Winwin posted a heartfelt letter on Instagram thanking fans for the past decade and saying he will keep working hard and growing as an artist.
- Winwin has focused on acting in China since 2021 and set up a private studio to manage those projects, and reporting says he will continue solo work under that studio with one outlet naming Yuekai Entertainment as an additional partner; that latter detail is from a single source and not fully corroborated.
- SM publicly thanked Winwin for more than 10 years with the agency and said it supports him as he pursues a new path outside the company.
- His departure is part of a wave of 10-year contract decisions by original NCT members in 2026, a trend that is reshaping the group’s lineup and could affect future group promotions and how SM coordinates members based in different countries.