On April 3, it was announced that Mark Lee would be leaving NCT and SM Entertainment.
Mark | SM Entertainment
In the wake of his departure, many have begun discussing a new K-Pop “curse” that has emerged.
The most well-known example of a K-Pop curse is the “7-Year Curse,” which describes the trend of groups disbanding after seven years, often after their contracts expire. The “Number 1 Seat” curse has happened to many trainees on survival shows who rank 1st in the first episode, just to not make the final group.
Heeseung’s Departure From ENHYPEN Sparks Debate On Recent “Curse” Happening In K-Pop
Mark was a member of NCT overall, and a fixed member of two subunits, NCT 127 and NCT DREAM. NCT DREAM’s line-up has returned to being 6 members, the latest group to be hit by the “7 member curse.”
NCT DREAM | SM Entertainment
Just like it sounds, the 7 member curse involves groups that debut with seven members, only to lose members, changing their line-up. Some groups that have experienced this are ENHYPEN, with Heeseung leaving the group last month…
Heeseung
…XngHan‘s departure from RIIZE…
XngHan
…and INFINITE have remained a six member group since Hoya‘s departure.
| RISE Entertainment
Overall more than 30 groups have been named as dealing with this, with some, like THE KINGDOM, who lost a member and had a new one join, only for him to also leave the group. A post discussing this has gone viral, with many surprised by the large number of groups listed.
7 member curse:
nct dream 🆕
wayv
victon
infinite
riize
nmixx
evnne
2pm
arrc
the wind
enhypen
izna
tempest
ikon
onlyoneof
drippin
monsta x
btob
onf
purple kiss
blitzers
aoa
momoland
weeekly
tri•be
apink
hashtag
saturday
cignature
atbo
— lou 🀥 (@mewmrewne) April 3, 2026
Of the groups that have debuted with seven members, only a few have survived long term, with BTS still seven since their debut in 2013 and GOT7 still seven since their debut in 2014. Other groups, like Billlie and AMPER&ONE have remained seven member groups for the five and two years they have been active respectively.