NCT’s Johnny “Shades” Mark Lee With Biting Remarks

NCT member Johnny has found himself at the center of a fiery online discourse after he was seen supposedly putting former bandmate Mark Lee on blast.

The heated moment occurred during the idol’s latest podcast episode, where he touched upon the ongoing trends in Korea.

NCT / NCT 127 JOHNNY’s latest podcast episode is named “Are you YOUNGKEUKEU or OLDKEUKEU | What’s trending in Korea” where he talked about 영크크,늙크크 and more.

“CORTIS started a trend. They did.”#CORTIS #코르티스 pic.twitter.com/PmyEsF6O5Q

— 📎 (@cortisbyartists) September 23, 2026

While talking about the trending vintage t-shirts, Johnny emphasized, “Don’t just buy anything that looks cool…Look for something with meaning.” He went on to advise viewers on how to make more thoughtful choices while following the vintage t-shirt trend, suggesting that they could look for designs that represented their older interests, hobbies, or something they could connect with.

Exactly see Johnny the man you are #nct127 pic.twitter.com/hfZMiYpYLw

— SUGAR WOO (@rousysyrou127) September 23, 2026

This particular segment of the episode was immediately perceived as a direct callout against Mark Lee, in the context of the controversy involving his Confederate flag t-shirt. When the former NCT member got embroiled in a massive controversy over sporting that racist emblem on his t-shirt, his agency published a statement claiming that it was simply an oversight while choosing a vintage outfit option.

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NCT fans have reacted enthusiastically to this potential callout by Johnny, with some praising his mindful framing and others simply enjoying the thrill of the situation.

BUT I HURD………… pic.twitter.com/2OqQun1I7q

— ً (@unfilteriah) September 23, 2026

Johnny you messy as shit pic.twitter.com/abK6Woel4O

— SUHKUKEU (@osamasuh) September 23, 2026

THIS IS FUCKING ME UP OMG 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/TGXPDpH5I9

— yuta’s cyeberbully (@theneocyehype) September 23, 2026

johnny talking about the importance of researching history and meaning when buying a vintage tshirt #noticing pic.twitter.com/QmbSwnPPCZ

— &kait ૮ ․ ․ ྀིა (@greenteayaku1t) September 23, 2026

Johnny talking about the importance of researching the history and significance of a vintage shirt before buying it… very direct.

— ልላህ (@scissores23) September 23, 2026

I know people are going to run with this as “shade” but I honestly think it’s his way of addressing the fandom and assuring us that they will be careful not to make the same mistake

— god’s favorite ✦¹²⁷ (@miumiujockstrap) September 23, 2026

Meanwhile, the relationship between Mark Lee and his former groupmates has recently been under scrutiny over yet another member’s actions.

NCT Member’s “Negative” Action Towards Mark Lee Sparks Heated Reactions

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