Chinese artist Winwin has officially parted ways with SM Entertainment and concluded his activities with the K-pop group NCT following the expiration of his exclusive contract.
The 28-year-old performer, whose real name is Dong Sicheng, chose not to renew his agreement with the South Korean record label after a decade-long partnership. SM Entertainment confirmed the departure in a statement published on the fan community platform Weverse on Wednesday. The agency noted that the two parties mutually agreed to end the contract effective July 9 following extensive discussions.
Transition to solo pursuits
Winwin originally debuted in 2016 as a member of NCT 127, the Seoul-based subunit of the expansive boy band. He subsequently performed with the rotational unit NCT U and joined the China-focused subunit WayV upon its launch in 2019.
In recent years the artist largely stepped away from group musical promotions to prioritise his acting career in China. He relocated to his home country in 2021 and established a personal management agency, Beijing Zhaoyao Culture Media Studio, to oversee his solo endeavours. During this period he transitioned into television and film, securing starring roles in Chinese romantic dramas such as «Sweet Games», «Perfect Match» and «A Splendid Match».
The departure marks the latest shift in NCT’s extensive roster as the original members reach the end of their initial 10-year contracts. Winwin is the third artist to leave the group in 2026, following the exits of Mark Lee and Lucas earlier this year. Another prominent member, Ten, recently concluded his contract with SM Entertainment but remains active within the band.
Addressing his fans on Instagram, Winwin expressed deep gratitude for the experiences and relationships cultivated during his tenure as an idol. He credited the global performances and fan interactions for shaping his personal growth, promising to continue his artistic development with an unwavering commitment to his new projects. SM Entertainment has not announced any replacement plans for the existing NCT or WayV lineups following his exit.
