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| What Happened to Winwin? The Real Reason Behind His Exit From NCT and WayV. (Photo: Weibo) |
After months of speculation, Winwin has officially closed one of the biggest chapters of his career. SM Entertainment confirmed that Dong Sicheng's exclusive contract will naturally expire on 9 July 2026, bringing an end to a decade-long partnership. With the agreement reaching its scheduled conclusion, the Chinese star will also wrap up all activities connected to NCT, including NCT 127 and WayV, as he prepares to focus entirely on the next phase of his career.
The announcement answered the question many fans had been asking for well over a year: what happened, and why is he leaving? According to both SM Entertainment and Winwin Studio, the decision followed extensive discussions between both sides.
Rather than renewing the agreement, they mutually agreed to let the contract conclude as planned. The agency stressed that this was neither an abrupt departure nor a contract dispute, but simply the natural end of a 10-year exclusive agreement.
For longtime followers, the news hardly came out of nowhere. Since 2024, Winwin had become increasingly absent from NCT and WayV group schedules, including album promotions, concerts and world tours.
Official explanations regularly pointed to overlapping personal commitments, but those lengthy absences inevitably fuelled rumours that his priorities had shifted. Looking back now, the signs were there all along. Sometimes the loudest clue is simply someone not being in the group photo.
His gradual move away from idol activities coincided with the steady rise of his acting career in China. After establishing Winwin Studio several years ago, he devoted more of his attention to television productions, particularly historical dramas.
Performances in series including A Splendid Match earned positive attention, with viewers praising his on-screen presence and many affectionately describing him as someone who looks as though he was born to wear traditional costumes. While some actors struggle to convince audiences in period dramas, Winwin appears to have found exactly where he belongs.
His acting schedule is only becoming busier. Reports indicate that he has signed with a new management company while continuing to operate through his personal studio, with current filming focused on the historical political drama Qia Feng Chun.
Another upcoming project, Today Is a Sun Shower, has also generated growing anticipation among viewers eager to see his continued transition into full-time acting. For SM Entertainment, the departure represents another significant change for the wider NCT brand.
Over recent years, the group's structure has evolved considerably as several members adjusted their contract arrangements or moved in different professional directions. Winwin's exit further reflects how the once ambitious expansion model has gradually shifted towards more stable and fixed unit activities rather than continuously adding new members.
In its official statement, SM Entertainment thanked Winwin for his dedication from his trainee years through more than a decade as a member of NCT 127 and WayV. The company also wished him success in his future endeavours, while Winwin Studio shared a similar message expressing gratitude for the journey and optimism about what comes next.
There was no dramatic farewell, no public disagreement and no mystery twist worthy of a thriller series—just two parties reaching the finish line of a contract exactly as scheduled. Fan reactions have been largely supportive, although emotions naturally remain mixed.
Many described the announcement as a respectful and dignified conclusion to a partnership that lasted ten years, praising both sides for handling the transition professionally. Others admitted they felt nostalgic watching another familiar face officially leave the wider NCT line-up, with some joking that following the group's member timeline now requires a spreadsheet and several cups of coffee.
At the same time, countless supporters encouraged Winwin to keep pursuing acting, believing he has already proven he can thrive beyond the idol industry. From stepping into the spotlight as a teenager to entering his late twenties with an established acting career, Winwin has experienced a remarkable transformation.
His departure from SM Entertainment and NCT does not erase the years he spent helping shape the group's story, but instead opens a completely different chapter built around film and television.
Whether audiences first discovered him through music or historical dramas, his journey is clearly far from over. What do you think about Winwin's decision to leave NCT? Was this the right time to move on, or will you miss seeing him perform with the group?