[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Artist Mark Lee has made his mark on domestic and international charts with the first release from Upper Room, the creative company he founded himself. The new song, his first release under his new agency, got off to a strong start, bolstering his independent career as a singer-songwriter.

The new song “My Friend,” released on the 10th, immediately topped the Bugs Real-Time Chart and the Genie Music Latest Music Chart. It also entered Melon’s Hot 100 and New Releases charts. In trending search terms, “Mark” ranked first and “My Friend” second.
International reactions followed quickly. “My Friend” reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in four countries, including Argentina, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. It ranked No. 2 in Malaysia and Vietnam and No. 3 in Singapore, securing top positions in multiple countries.

“My Friend” is a mid-tempo pop song that captures the emotions of reflecting on love and relationships as summer draws to a close. Centered around a wistful guitar loop, it depicts the moment when one season ends and a new beginning unfolds. Mark participated in the entire process—from writing the lyrics and composing the music to arranging the track—to personally bring his story to life.
This new song holds particular significance as it is the first music Mark has released since founding Upper Room. It marks the beginning of a new phase where he takes the lead not only in his solo activities but also in shaping his musical direction and production methods.
The music video also continues the “back to basics” direction that Mark has consistently emphasized. Rather than relying on excessive production elements, it focuses on natural performances and the song’s emotional tone, simply and authentically conveying the atmosphere of a fresh start.