Trigger warning: This article mentions sexual offense.
SOUTH Korean singer Taeil, known as Moon Taeil in real life, is no longer part of the K-pop boy group NCT, its label SM Entertainment confirmed.
In a statement on Wednesday, the South Korean entertainment agency announced Taeil’s departure from the group following his alleged involvement in a “criminal case related to a sexual offense.”
“As we were assessing the facts related to the matter, we recognized the severity of the situation and determined that Taeil can no longer continue his activities with the team,” SM Entertainment said in Korean, translated in English in a Soompi article.
“After discussing with Taeil, we have decided on his departure from the group,” it added.
The label said the vocalist has now cooperated with the police investigation and apologized “for the concern and distress caused by our artist.”
Meanwhile, a representative from SM Entertainment denied speculations that they “covered up” the sex crime allegations for two months, K-entertainment outlet AllKpop reported.
According to the report, a female victim reported Taeil for a sexual offense in June, but the label and the K-pop idol were only notified of the criminal investigation in “mid-August.”
“Taeil was then summoned for questioning on August 28 KST,” the representative was quoted as saying.
Disappointed fans
SM Entertainment’s announcement has garnered millions of views on X (formerly Twitter), with Taeil’s name being included in the platform’s trending topics since Wednesday as fans expressed their disappointment.
Several fans, collectively known as NCTzens, were shocked by the news, stressing how they never expected Taeil to be allegedly implicated in such a crime.
Despite supporting the singer for years, many stood by the victim’s side and hoped that justice would be served.
Following the report, Taeil lost thousands of followers on his Instagram account, including his former co-NCT members.
The official Instagram account of NCT and its sub-unit NCT 127 also unfollowed the singer on the platform.
About Taeil
Taeil debuted with NCT in 2016 and later on made his debut in NCT 127 in the same year.
In 2023, the vocalist postponed his group activities after sustaining an injury from a motorcycle incident.
Among the activities he skipped was the Philippine leg of NCT 127’s “Neo City – The Unity” concert in Bulacan in January.
Taeil recently joined other NCT 127 members to drop their sixth studio album “WALK” in July. However, he did not participate in live performances for their comeback promotion.
