NCT Mark‘s behavior towards Lee Young Ji is believed to be to protect her from his fans.
The new NCT video took fans behind the scenes of performances, including the preparation Mark and Young Ji did for their collaboration for the track “Small Girl.”
They even showed the moment Mark gifted Young Ji a Rolex.
Later in the video, Mark and Young Ji came together to film a TikTok challenge.
Netizens noticed that when Mark was trying to show Young Ji what to do, his hands stayed above her, and he seemed hesitant to get close until she told him to take the phone.
Yet, when one fan praised Mark for his gentleman-like behavior…
mark rly trying not to touch her😭😭😭 aigoo my gentleman pic.twitter.com/1WdhPbKIFh
— ^•⩊•^ (@onyourjaemm) February 4, 2025
Netizens explained that while Mark is a gentleman, they believe he did it to protect Young Ji from any possible hate, citing other interactions he has had with female idols and the hate they receive.
I think he knows he has crazy ass fans and doesn’t want to risk youngjis life https://t.co/CezNFyKJIP
— dan of arc (@surfsup2007) February 4, 2025
no he just has stupid ass fans who over react to everything https://t.co/tWLTT5FKum
— 𝓀𝓊𝓀𝒾 (@kzzndr) February 5, 2025
That isn’t being a gentleman 😭 bro is just terrified cause of crazy weirdos 😭 https://t.co/A88bbqzYe0
— Santa (@ClausPhobic) February 5, 2025
either that, or bcs he have a rabid breed of gf stans who are likely ready to maul youngji the moment their skin touches 💀 https://t.co/gX2nAD8Rba
— Belle ✨ (@_haebelle) February 5, 2025
he knows what his fans did to winter for only standing with her https://t.co/C1XyoO1Fcj
— 🍿 (@onepostatatime2) February 5, 2025
His fans were cussing my girl winter out for a simple photoshoot together.. he just saved my girl youngji 🙏🏾 https://t.co/9A7mLSnl9e
— 🌻🐱🐯¹²⁷ (@markleesways) February 5, 2025