Even the statement didn’t squash anger.
Koreaboo
10 minutes ago
Mark Lee has come under major backlash and sparked fury among fans with his problematic outfit in a new update.
Mark Lee | @onyourm__ark/Instagram
A recent update of Mark has gone viral, triggering major backlash towards the idol. The photo sparked fury because Mark was wearing a shirt with the Confederate flag, a symbol associated with slavery, white supremacy, and the American Civil War.
WHAT. THE. ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU MARK LEE??? WHAT IS THIS? EXPLAIN THIS TO ME HOLY SHIT???? pic.twitter.com/dupHU6Nrxm
— PR Concern🪽 (@busanboystwt) June 23, 2026
Netizens couldn’t hide their fury that Mark would wear something like this, with many sharing that Canadians are taught about the history and meaning behind the flag.
for those who don’t know what happened or the meaning behind it
the tshirt Mark is wearing has the Confederate flag on it
during the American Civil War Virginia was one of the most important states in the Confederacy which defended SLAVERY and separated from the Union
— 🇨🇦 (@mrkkitten) June 23, 2026
hey so wtf ??? https://t.co/xep4oXSVJH
— . (@pinkthecreator) June 23, 2026
we learn this in our canadian history classes mind you https://t.co/tkvjF5XyBc
— nick⁷ (@niikjju) June 23, 2026
It’s very telling that as soon as he’s freed from the shackles of the kpop industry he shows his true colours. This isn’t a mistake, it’s a confession. This is who he’s been all along… the idol image was a lie. https://t.co/qSUpFAnGOu
— Droid 🍨🍦 (@markzdroid) June 23, 2026
genuinely where do u even buy a shirt with the confederate flag from bc it cant be from h&m https://t.co/FSliCUMGJE
— ri (@eimikomp3) June 23, 2026
this isn’t even stupid. this is just deliberately ignorant. https://t.co/CXhN19bH10
— mart (@mxrtkip) June 23, 2026
no words . this account is officially closed and will most likely be deactivated shortly.
born in canada, lived in the us btw. OWNS his own company, has full autonomy over what he chooses to wear.
we r NOT playing this game, particularly right after juneteenth. https://t.co/iiJEh9qWqK
— CLOSED (@taevalanche) June 23, 2026
His label shared a statement in response to the criticism.
uprmlabel ig story update pic.twitter.com/t40xOcqOxa
— ً (@LMKFEED) June 23, 2026
But netizens weren’t impressed.
“vintage wardrobe item” ???? pic.twitter.com/DDmHf6xFvn
— luna ꕤ (@neotfy) June 23, 2026
UPPER ROOM has tried to spin this as something that is ‘vintage’ which while possible, does not make the situation any better. mark lee is an educated man who should know better and understand the situation. he’s full grown and this is HIS company. no one forced him to wear this https://t.co/68s4g3tINg
— PR Concern🪽 (@busanboystwt) June 23, 2026
the upper room statement is just weird cuz isn’t mk the ceo???? like u went to school in canada and u want us to believe u didn’t know the history behind this fuckass flag ??
that u wanted to wear a cool vintage shirt ???
like who even is writing this apology?
— candix (@258njm) June 23, 2026
he didn’t even share the upper room statement on his personal instagram account where he has a much wider reach…
— kishibub ೀ 𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 (@prettyhaechie) June 23, 2026