Ex-NCT member Taeil’s contract terminated amid sex crime allegations

Trigger warning: This article mentions sexual offense.

AFTER his departure from K-pop boy group NCT, Taeil’s exclusive contract with South Korean entertainment agency SM Entertainment was officially terminated.

In a statement translated by Soompi, SM Entertainment confirmed that Taeil’s exclusive contract with them has been terminated as of October 15, as the K-pop idol is being investigated by authorities over his alleged involvement in a sexual crime.

“This not only constitutes grounds for termination under our contract but also makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist,” it explained.

The agency also apologized for “any concern” caused by their former artist.

In August, the South Korean singer left NCT and was summoned for questioning after a female victim reported him for a sexual offense in June.

According to reports, SM Entertainment said they were only notified of the criminal investigation in “mid-August,” denying speculations that they “covered up” the sex crime allegations.

Rumors on social media claimed that Taeil allegedly assaulted “an 11-year-old girl” or “a young boy.” However, Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the accuser is not “a minor or male,” citing a report by the police.

Private IG account

In September, Taeil set his Instagram account to private after his sex crime allegations. He lost a million followers on the platform, including his former fellow NCT members.

The official Instagram account of NCT and its sub-unit NCT 127, which Taeil was also part of, also unfollowed his account.

Taeil has now 4.7 million Instagram followers.

The South Korean singer debuted with NCT and NCT 127 in 2016.

He last participated with NCT 127 during their “Walk” comeback in July, but he did not join them in their live performances. 

“Walk” is NCT 127’s sixth studio album consists of 11 tracks: “Intro: Wall to Wall,” “Walk,” “No Clue,” “Orange Seoul,” “Pricey,” “Time Capsule,” “Can’t Help Myself,” “Rain Drop,” “Gas,” “Suddenly,” and “Meaning of Love.”