After a decade with NCT, Chinese idol and actor Winwin has officially left NCT and SM Entertainment. On July 8, 2026, SM announced that his exclusive contract ends July 9 and that he will conclude all activities as a member of NCT, including WayV.
The move makes permanent what many WayV fans had already felt since his long absence from Korean promotions. It also arrives just as the NCT 2026 tenth anniversary project ramps up, raising new questions for NCTzens and WayZenNi about what supporting Winwin looks like from now on.
Winwin’s SM Contract Ends: The Essentials
SM Entertainment shared the news through NCT’s official fan community, saying the decision came after careful discussions with Winwin. The company thanked him for spending more than ten years with SM and said it would support his “new journey” outside the group.
Winwin debuted with NCT 127 in 2016 and later became a founding member of WayV when the China based unit launched in 2019. Korean reports confirm that “concluding all activities as a member of NCT” covers WayV as well, so he will not take part in upcoming group albums, tours or anniversary stages.
For fans trying to follow NCT’s shifting lineup in 2026, the three recent departures look like this:
- Mark: left SM Entertainment and all NCT units earlier this year.
- Ten: ended his SM contract but will continue activities with NCT and WayV.
- Winwin: leaves both SM Entertainment and all NCT and WayV activities.
What Winwin Leaving NCT Means For WayV Fans
Because Winwin has focused on work in China since around 2021, some fans saw this exit as more confirmation than surprise. Even so, it officially removes the possibility of him rejoining future WayV comebacks or appearing at NCT 2026 world tour stops and exhibitions.
Online reactions mix grief with frustration about how his career was handled. A Koreaboo roundup highlighted posts comparing the brief wording of SM’s notice for Winwin with the longer send off written for Mark earlier this year, echoing long standing fan complaints about his limited lines and long hiatus from NCT 127 promotions. Those criticisms reflect fan views, not SM’s official stance.
Inside Winwin’s New Solo Future In China
In practice, Winwin has already been living this next chapter. He established his own Beijing Zhaoyao Culture Media Studio in 2021 and, according to Forbes, has since concentrated on acting and other entertainment projects in China while remaining away from NCT schedules.
Forbes also reports that he will continue as a solo artist through his personal studio together with Yuekai Entertainment, a major Chinese agency. He has gained attention through C dramas like Sweet Games and other drama and film roles, expanding his audience beyond K-pop.
For US fans, supporting Winwin now means following his C drama work rather than hoping for a surprise WayV stage. His projects may appear on global platforms that license Chinese dramas with English subtitles, though availability can differ by region. With several new dramas reportedly on the horizon, WayZenNi will be watching casting news from Beijing instead of comeback teasers from Seoul.