Winwin announces exit from NCT and WayV as SM Entertainment confirms contract conclusion

Winwin will leave all activities with NCT after SM Entertainment confirmed that his exclusive contract with the agency will conclude on July 9, 2026, bringing an end to more than a decade of collaboration.

According to OSEN, SM Entertainment announced the decision on July 8 through the fan community platform Weverse, confirming that the move followed discussions with the artist.

The agency said, "After thorough discussions with the artist Winwin, we have agreed to finalize the exclusive contract as of July 9, 2026."

As a result, Winwin will conclude all activities with NCT. During his career with the company, he performed as a member of NCT 127 following the group's debut in 2016 and later joined the China-based unit WayV when it launched in 2019.

In its statement, SM Entertainment thanked the singer for his years with the company and wished him success in the future.

The agency said, "We express our gratitude to Winwin, who has been with us for over 10 years since his trainee days, and we will cheer for his future as he begins a new journey."

The announcement marks the end of Winwin's association with NCT under SM Entertainment after more than 10 years, including his trainee period before debuting with the group. No further details were provided regarding his future activities or any new management arrangements.

SM Entertainment also thanked fans for their continued support of NCT in its announcement, saying, "We sincerely thank all fans who have always supported NCT with unwavering enthusiasm."

Winwin, whose real name is Dong Sicheng, made his debut on July 7, 2016 as a member of NCT 127. He subsequently debuted with NCT U the following year, and with the Chinese sub-unit WayV in 2019.

In recent years, he had shifted his focus to solo acting projects in China, where he hails from.

The company has not announced any replacement plans or changes to NCT or WayV following Winwin's departure.