K-pop idol and former NCT member Mark Lee's label has issued a formal apology after he wore a vintage T-shirt featuring a prominent Confederate flag design.
On June 23, two pictures of Mark Lee wearing the T-shirt started circulating online. In one of the pictures, the Canadian musician poses alongside Korean content creator Magician Perry, giving a thumbs-up to the camera. In the second one, Lee is seen signing a playing card, seemingly as part of a trick being filmed for entertainment purposes. In both pictures, Lee's raglan sleeve tee is clearly visible, with the Confederate flag on the chest and the word “Virginia” on one sleeve.
Understandably, the images caused an uproar among fans and people online, who voiced their disappointment at the controversial shirt choice, given the history of the Confederate flag, which is closely linked to racism and white supremacy in the US.
After people reacted online, Lee's label, Upper Room—which he founded earlier in June upon his exit from SM Entertainment and NCT—issued a statement apologizing for the flag: “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 statement reads, adding that “the garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item.”
The apology continues, claiming that “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 also acknowledged that the spread of the images online 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,” the statement goes on, adding that both Upper Room and Mark “unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance.”
The label also claimed to be “grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention" and pledged to “strengthen our internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
You can read the full statement below:
