Mark Lee addresses Confederate flag controversy

K-pop idol Mark Lee has directly addressed a controversy involving a t-shirt featuring a Confederate flag. The incident, which occurred approximately two months ago, led to widespread backlash and allegations of racism due to the flag's historical associations with slavery and white supremacy.

During an Instagram Live broadcast, Lee expressed remorse, stating that he was aware of the pain the image caused, particularly to the Black community. He clarified that it was not his intention to cause harm and noted that the incident does not reflect his personal character. Lee acknowledged his responsibility, stating, “It really shouldn’t have happened and it really does not reflect who I am as a person.”

Lee mentioned that he and his team have taken steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future and committed to further educating himself on the matter. He expressed a desire to rebuild broken trust with his fans through his future actions and music.