![\"NCT](\"https:\/\/image.koreaboo.com\/2026\/05\/FEATURED-IMAGE-2026-05-27T131241.401.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n- \n
- April 2026:<\/strong> Ten and Mark Lee (Initial cycle completions).<\/li>\n
- July 2026:<\/strong> Yuta, Winwin, and Haechan.<\/li>\n
- August 2026:<\/strong> The core members of NCT Dream, including Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For Korean members, these dates are often subject to adjustment based on the duration of their mandatory military service, which typically pauses the clock on exclusive entertainment contracts. However, for non-Korean members like Winwin, the expiration dates are more rigid, making the July 2026 window a definitive "make or break" moment for his affiliation with SM Entertainment.<\/p>\n
Evidence of a Growing Divide<\/h2>\n
The rumors of Winwin\u2019s departure are not based solely on agency reports but are supported by a pattern of professional distancing that has been observable for over two years. Winwin\u2019s participation in NCT and WayV group activities has been sporadic since 2021. While his bandmates promoted various albums in South Korea, Winwin remained largely in China, establishing himself as a formidable actor in the C-drama industry. His roles in productions such as The Shadow<\/em> and Sweet Games<\/em> garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated domestic following, shifting his brand identity from "K-pop idol" to "Chinese actor."<\/p>\n
A significant turning point occurred during a recent NCT anniversary pop-up event. Fans noted with concern that Winwin was noticeably absent from promotional materials and anniversary-specific merchandise. In the highly curated world of K-pop marketing, such omissions are rarely accidental. Historically, when a member is excluded from major anniversary celebrations or commemorative branding, it serves as a precursor to an official announcement regarding a hiatus or departure.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Winwin\u2019s own social media presence and public statements have increasingly focused on his individual growth within the Chinese market. While he has consistently expressed affection for his WayV members, the logistical challenges of maintaining a career in both the South Korean and Chinese entertainment ecosystems\u2014which operate under different regulatory and political pressures\u2014have made a dual-market existence increasingly untenable.<\/p>\n
The "China Line" Precedent and Market Dynamics<\/h2>\n
To understand the implications of Winwin\u2019s rumored move, one must look at the historical context of Chinese idols trained in South Korea. SM Entertainment has a long history of "localized" strategies, starting with Han Geng in Super Junior and later with the "EXO-M" members (Kris Wu, Luhan, Z.Tao, and Lay Zhang). In almost every instance, the Chinese members eventually transitioned back to their home market to pursue solo careers, citing the greater autonomy and financial potential of the Chinese entertainment industry.<\/p>\n
The Chinese market offers lucrative opportunities in acting, variety shows, and brand endorsements that far exceed the typical earnings of a member in a large K-pop ensemble. For Winwin, who is a graduate of the prestigious Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, a return to acting was always a logical progression. By signing with Zhaosen Entertainment, Winwin is likely seeking to solidify his infrastructure in China, ensuring that his career is managed by those with deep-rooted connections in the domestic television and film sectors.<\/p>\n
![\"NCT](\"https:\/\/www.koreaboo.com\/wp-content\/themes\/KbooOS2\/img\/site_icon\/koreaboo36.png\")
<\/figure>\nIndustry Implications and SM Entertainment\u2019s Strategy<\/h2>\n
For SM Entertainment, the potential loss of Winwin\u2014alongside Mark and the management shift for Ten\u2014presents a significant branding challenge. NCT was built on the premise of "Neo Culture Technology," a system that was supposed to transcend traditional group boundaries. If the most popular members depart or change their management structure, the "brand power" of NCT faces dilution.<\/p>\n
However, analysts suggest that SM Entertainment may be prepared for this transition. Under the "SM 3.0" initiative, the company has pivoted toward a more decentralized production model, focusing on the launch of new entities like RIIZE and the finalization of the NCT expansion with NCT WISH. This suggests that the agency may be focusing its resources on the next generation of talent while allowing the senior members of NCT to transition into the "legacy" phase of their careers, which often involves greater individual freedom.<\/p>\n
Fan Reaction and the Future of WayV<\/h2>\n
The reaction among "NCTzens" and "WayZenNies" (fans of WayV) has been a mix of resignation and support. On platforms like X and Weibo, many fans have expressed that they "saw this coming," citing Winwin\u2019s prolonged absence from group promotions. The prevailing sentiment is one of hope that Winwin will find more consistent opportunities in China, free from the logistical hurdles of cross-border management.<\/p>\n
There is, however, concern regarding the future of WayV as a unit. As a group specifically designed to bridge the gap between K-pop and C-pop, WayV has navigated a difficult path characterized by political sensitivities and member changes. If Winwin follows Ten\u2019s lead and remains a member of the group despite leaving the agency, the group could continue as a project-based ensemble. If he departs entirely, the group will have to undergo a significant internal restructuring to maintain its identity.<\/p>\n
Conclusion: Waiting for the Official Word<\/h2>\n
As of late May 2026, neither SM Entertainment nor Winwin\u2019s personal studio has issued a formal statement confirming the signing with Zhaosen Entertainment or his departure from NCT. However, in the fast-paced world of international entertainment, rumors of this magnitude often precede official press releases by only a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n
With the July 2026 contract expiration date looming, the industry remains on high alert. Whether Winwin chooses to maintain a loose affiliation with NCT or pursues a clean break to focus on his burgeoning acting career in China, his journey remains a testament to the evolving nature of the K-pop idol career path. The "standard" idol life cycle is being rewritten by artists who seek to leverage their international training into long-term, multi-disciplinary careers in their home countries. For Dong Sicheng, the move to Zhaosen Entertainment may not just be a career shift\u2014it may be the final step in a meticulously planned transition from a global idol to a domestic icon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Catalyst: Rumors of a New Agency in China The speculation regarding Winwin\u2019s professional future reached a fever pitch on May 27, 2026, when reports began circulating on Chinese social…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":10053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[552],"tags":[378,717,44,853,379,377,376,629,121,2590],"class_list":["post-10054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-k-pop-asian-music-scene","tag-asia","tag-career","tag-confirms","tag-departure","tag-idol","tag-j-pop","tag-k-pop","tag-member","tag-move","tag-rumored"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10054\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- July 2026:<\/strong> Yuta, Winwin, and Haechan.<\/li>\n