K-pop star Mark Lee has addressed racism allegations two months after photos showed him wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt.
Photos surfaced online on June 23 showing Lee wearing a gray and blue T-shirt with a Confederate flag on the chest and the word “Virginia” on the sleeves.
The Anti-Defamation League classifies the Confederate flag as a hate symbol commonly associated with racism and white supremacy.
Following the incident, Upper Room, Mark’s label, which he also owns, issued an apology. The label said the shirt was selected without considering the historical context behind the symbol.
During an Instagram livestream on Friday, the former NCT 127 member said he understood the pain the incident caused his fans. He also said he was willing to educate himself further about the issue.
Fans have reacted differently to Mark’s statement. Some welcomed his decision to address the controversy directly, while others criticised the timing of the apology.
“Not my intention”
Mark said during his Instagram Live that the controversy had remained on his mind and that he felt the need to address it personally.
“I am aware of the pain that it brought to a lot of people. I am aware of the pain that it brought to a lot of people, especially to my black fans, to the Black community, and I should have, I am very responsible for it,” he said.
“But I really wanted to directly tell you guys that it really wasn’t my intention, with me knowing the meaning of the flag, the historical significance of it, it really shouldn’t have happened. And it really does not reflect who I am as a person,” he added.
Mark said seeing fans hurt by the incident also affected him. He acknowledged that he had no excuse for wearing the shirt and promised that he would not repeat the mistake.
“Seeing so many fans hurt by it really hurt me as well. I had no intention, knowing the meaning of the flag, and I should have, there are no excuses for that. I just wanted to promise you guys that nothing like that will ever happen again,” he said.
The K-pop artist also promised to learn more about the issue and rebuild trust through his actions and music.
“It really breaks my heart to think that maybe the trust has been broken, but I promise that I’ll make it up to you guys. With my actions and with my music, I’ll make sure to make it up to you guys, if you will allow me to have one more chance,” Mark said.
An accidental choice
Earlier, Upper Room said the team chose the garment “solely as a vintage wardrobe item.”
The label said it later recognised the historical significance and sensitivity surrounding the symbol on the T-shirt. It then took steps to ensure that the symbol would not appear in official content.
“Upper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance,” the label said.
The company also acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns and expressed regret over the distress caused by the incident.
Mixed reactions
Mark’s apology received a mixed response online.
Some netizens described the apology as “too little too late” because the controversy first emerged two months earlier.
Others questioned why Mark’s team did not research the meaning of the symbol before he wore the shirt. Some also said they did not find the apology convincing.
However, other fans praised Mark for addressing the controversy himself and acknowledging the hurt experienced by members of the Black community.
Some netizens also preferred his direct livestream apology to a formal press release. Others argued that a late apology was still better than no apology at all.
K-pop stars and ‘offensive’ garments
Mark’s controversy is not the first incident involving a K-pop idol and clothing featuring offensive or controversial symbols.
In 2017, BTS member Jimin faced criticism after wearing a T-shirt featuring the words “patriotism”, “our history” and “liberation”, alongside an image of the atomic cloud from the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, 1945.
Following the controversy, netizens also revisited a 2015 magazine photoshoot at Berlin’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. BTS members Jin, Suga and RM appeared in the shoot, while RM also wore a cap featuring the Nazi SS Death Head insignia.
In 2021, GFriend member Sowon faced criticism after photographs showed her with a mannequin wearing Nazi clothing during a video shoot.
TWICE member Chaeyoung apologised in 2023 after posting a photograph of herself wearing a shirt that displayed Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious with a swastika.
In May 2026, BIGBANG member G-Dragon also faced criticism after wearing a T-shirt containing an offensive Dutch phrase and racial slur during the K-Spark music concert in Macau.
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