Mark Lee, formerly of SM Entertainment's NCT, has released his first single since leaving the label five months ago, marking a fresh chapter as an independent singer-songwriter. The mid-tempo track, "My Friend", built around a breezy guitar loop, is being framed by the artist as an attempt to express deep, genuine affection through music that reflects who he is now, following a decade defined by group promotions rather than solo work. The release matters as a signal of his creative independence and long-term ambitions beyond the competitive pressures of group idol life.

In an interview with Billboard Korea, Lee said the songs he is currently working on take "completely unexpected directions and styles" but feel true to his present self, and that he now prioritises spreading a positive influence through his music and life over competitiveness. Over ten years he undertook five debuts, two permanent groups and various unit projects, an unusually extensive résumé for a K-pop artist, before releasing his first solo album, The Firstfruit, in 2025, which topped Billboard's 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2025 staff picks. "My Friend" is described as the opening track of a new chapter, with more music from an upcoming album expected throughout the year.