Winwin leaves NCT and SM Entertainment after a decade, and this time the goodbye is official. On July 8, SM announced on NCT 127 and WayV’s Weverse that his contract ends July 9 and all NCT activities will conclude.
For NCTzens and WayZenNi, it closes a long running question about his status while NCT prepares its NCT 2026 10th anniversary project. The focus now shifts from idol Winwin to actor Dong Sicheng and how fans can follow him.
SM Confirms Winwin Leaves NCT And SM
SM’s notice said the agency and Winwin “mutually agreed” to end his exclusive contract, effective July 9. It added, “Accordingly, Winwin will conclude all activities as a member of NCT,” and thanked him for more than 10 years together.
Soon after, Winwin posted a Korean letter on Instagram reflecting on “2016 to 2026” as one precious chapter. He recalled exhaustion and setbacks but said the memories that remain are happiness, unforgettable emotions, and the love he received on SM stages.
He thanked NCTzens and WayZenNi, said these 10 years would stay with him for life, and promised to “keep growing into a better version of myself.”
Inside Winwin’s New Studio And Acting Era
While he was still under SM, Winwin opened a Chinese acting studio in 2021. In January 2026, records list a new sole proprietorship, Beijing Zhaoyao Culture Media Studio, with Dong Sicheng as legal representative to manage his entertainment work.
A notice from Winwin Studio stated that after his SM contract ends, the studio team will “fully and independently” handle all his activities. In China’s system, that means his own staff chooses scripts, negotiates fees, and plans promotions directly with networks.
His drama lineup already shows the pivot. Modern romance Sweet Games gave him a male lead in 2023, period rom com Perfect Match in 2025 raised his profile as Yang Xian, and 2026 costume series A Splendid Match is being treated as his representative role.
What Comes Next For NCT And Winwin’s Fandom
One already filmed project to watch is youth healing romance Today Is Sun Shower, led by Yang Chaoyue and Winwin. Chinese reports say filming wrapped this year and that it is awaiting a broadcast slot.
For NCT, his exit lands during the year long NCT 2026 roadmap of albums, tours, a pop up, and an exhibition for NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT Wish. SM’s wording means Winwin will not appear in any upcoming NCT or WayV schedules.
Fans are also comparing his path to 2026 changes for Mark and Ten. Mark ended all NCT work to launch his own label, while Ten left SM but kept the option to join NCT and WayV activities, a door SM did not mention for Winwin.
For NCTzens and WayZenNi, supporting him now likely means thinking like C drama fans: streaming his series legally on platforms like Viki or iQIYI, boosting drama promotions, and watching for updates from his Instagram and Winwin Studio.