Sydney Lara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UGMDJ9kZCA Thank you for everything, Mark Lee. Thank you for the music. I entered the K-Pop space during its third generation – arguably the most experimental era for K-Pop sound and concepts – and I had the privilege to experience it as an NCTzen. For a group whose discography is so vast and versatile, you were able to play in every corner of it with ease. For days when I’m happy, I get to listen to warm, upbeat songs like “Touch,” “We Go Up,” and “Baggy Jeans.” When I need encouragement, I get to listen to empowering tracks like “Superhuman,” “Jopping,” and “Hello Future.” And when I need to just get through the day, I can even listen to “My Van,” “YESTODAY,” and “Rains in Heaven.” In all these songs, you’re there, as an essential voice shaping the words, the message, and the sound. You are a monumental pillar of the NCT brand and the K-Pop genre as a whole with your rap style, dance skills, lyricism, and relentless work ethic. Your debut was so impactful that it was considered a reset for not only what it means to be an SM Artist, but also an idol. Entering the industry at only 16, debuting in 3 active groups in 2016, chosen for SuperM in 2019, and becoming a solo artist in 2025. Through it all, you never seemed to slow down, always giving more than expected, always performing with sincerity and joy. Watching you made greatness feel tangible – like something that could be reached through dedication and heart. Thank you for making K-pop feel both exciting and deeply meaningful. Thank you for the friends made along the way. I remember watching the “Boss” music video in the hallway of my high school with my best friends, discovering what it meant to be a fangirl. Neo City – The Origin Tour in LA was my first ever K-Pop concert, and you helped make the night even more special by being the member to represent the city. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to never miss an NCT appearance in LA – from Pop-ups to Fansigns to Concerts. The only time I have ever camped out for a show was for the SuperM showcase in Hollywood, and again, you did not disappoint. Your rap verse made history – I had college classmates who weren’t even into K-Pop bring up your verse wanting to know who you were! During that time, you and NCT were my glue during the pandemic, too. I joined an online group chat made up of fans from the cancelled Neo City – The Awards Tour in 2020. In addition to all the memes and laughs shared, I got to learn what it meant to be a part of a diverse community, and I made friends with people I’d have never been able to meet outside of NCITY. And even now, with the news of your departure, you brought together old faces, online and in-person, to talk about NCT stories, and I was reminded that what you helped build goes far beyond music. Thank you for the memories.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSy9hyKuJVM Thank you for KCONLA 2025. It was my last time seeing you on stage, and you gave your all – like always. You were such an incredible surprise! You gave a phenomenal showcase of all your talents and hard work from all your years as an artist to both long-time NCTzens and new fans in the crowd. It was a night that felt like a celebration of your entire journey. You shared your solo music with us, you shared the stage with Haechan and NCT 127, and you even shared your birthday celebration. In that moment, it felt like you were giving a piece of everything you’ve built over the past decade. Thank you for sharing 10 years with us. We’re wishing you even more years of happiness, adventure, growth, and freedom. You’ve showed the industry and your fans what it truly means to leave a Mark.  Happy Anniversary NCT!  NACE MEDIA – Syda.k.a @nsydneyzen From Czennie A space dedicated to fans who want to share their favorite Mark moments from his journey in NCT and as an artist. ISA “Everyone found a group during or near covid. Mine was NCT, with their genuine humor and loud music I felt I could relate. Mark was someone I felt everyone could relate to from loving spider-man to hard-working. For me, Marks first album was the most memorable. From the theme it represented and showcasing the struggle of finding one self. At KCON 2025 I saw righteous live and I was singing along to each line. Mark defined a generation and brought so many people together. Keep supporting Mark and NCT. Neo has our back.“ THAO “Mark, you mean so much to me. You were a big part of my journey to adulthood. In some ways, you not only helped me grow, but you also helped me by just being along for the ride during a very impressionable time in my life. I’m sad only because I’ll miss seeing your color in NCT. NCT would not be NCT without you, Mark.”

Popularly known as the life of the party wherever he goes, Jackson Wang reminds us that life is a party through the storytelling of his MAGICMAN2 album. The experience is brought even further to life on his latest World Tour of the same name, which kicked off March 31st at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Opening with the album’s first track, “High Alone,” concertgoers were immediately pulled in by over-the-top theatrics, makeup, styling, and choreography that immersed us in the raw mind and soul behind his layered music. Jackson made his entrance by literally descending from above, setting the tone with the song’s vulnerable messaging. It invited fans to experience the show through a more emotional and personal lens than his previous work. That sense of closeness carried throughout the night. Jackson invited fans onstage for intimate dance moments during songs like “Contact” and “Closer,” bringing them directly into his world and reinforcing their importance in his journey as an entertainer. After making us scream, he made us cry, transitioning into an emotional stretch of the set with songs like “Not For Me,” “Blue,” and “Everything.” His husky vocals and lonely lyrics took us through what felt like every stage of grief, and left us in awe of how far he’s come. But Jackson wouldn’t leave us in that space for long. Making up for the tears, he reignited the crowd with high-energy performances of “BUCK” and “TITANIC,” joined by his fellow crewmates – KINJAZ. Jackson Wang feels like a friend to everyone. He’s the kind of person you feel like you already know, and you probably do, whether it’s from his professional athlete background, his more than 12-year career in music as a K-pop idol, solo artist, and producer, or his knack for popping up in unexpected places alongside fellow entertainers and local celebrities. His magnetism comes from something simple but rare, and that is a genuine love for building deep relationships and constantly creating new connections. The way he blends culture into both his life and music speaks to that authenticity and it’s something that makes his concert experience unique and great. The most stand out part of the night, was by far, witnessing Jackson’s growth as an artist and performer. From upbeat dance tracks to emotional, guttural ballads, to grand-scale choreography complete with acrobatics and pyrotechnics, he commands the stage with a newfound confidence in his vision, artistry, and sense of self. Watching him confront and overcome the darker alter ego that is MAGIC MAN made this new era feel both powerful and deeply personal, leaving fans inspired to reflect on their own journeys. If you’re looking for a much needed escape from the chaos of everyday life, this is one party you don’t want to miss! The MAGICMAN2 tour is happening now! Live your Magic