The speculation intensified when Tunji Balogun, chairman and CEO of iconic hip-hop and R&B label Def Jam Recordings, followed the Canadian-born singer on social media shortly after his contract ended on April 8. In the tightly knit K-pop world, such moves by top executives are rarely random they often signal early conversations or interest in collaboration.
Balogun, who previously helped shape careers at RCA Records for stars like SZA, Khalid, and Bryson Tiller, brings heavyweight industry clout. Def Jam’s focus on urban genres perfectly matches Mark’s musical leanings, and his fluency in English plus North American roots give him a natural edge for crossing over into the U.S. market.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mark appeared in a late-April studio video posted by rising Def Jam artist Genia. She captioned the clip “Genia x Mark Lee !! When KPop & POP Meet,” hinting at joint work. Genia herself joined Def Jam in 2024 and dropped her single “Doomsday” this April.
In a heartfelt handwritten letter shared online on April 3, Mark reflected on closing one chapter and teased fresh beginnings. He reminisced about his love for busking with an acoustic guitar and writing songs in English clear signs he’s ready to explore sounds beyond the K-pop idol system.
Mark already proved his solo draw last year, releasing the full-length album The Firstfruit in April 2025 under SM. It moved over 540,000 copies in its first week, setting a record for solo artists from the company and showcasing strong individual appeal.
While no official agency announcement has come, industry watchers are closely tracking whether the 26-year-old will ink a deal with a major U.S. label. For a multilingual, versatile talent who has already thrived in one of the world’s most competitive industries, this next phase could mark his biggest leap yet.
Fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation, hoping Mark’s signature energy and creativity find new stages across the Pacific.
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