Here's what we know so far about Taeil's sex crime allegations
South Korean singer Moon Taeil has left the K-pop group NCT after he was accused of committing an unspecified sex crime.
In a statement posted on X, NCT's agency SM Entertainment disclosed that Taeil had been "accused in a criminal case in relation to a sexual crime." The agency also acknowledged that "the issue was very serious."
"We decided that we could no longer continue our team activities, and we discussed with Taeil and decided to withdraw from the team," read the agency's translated statement.
"Currently, Taeil is faithfully working on the police investigation, and I will tell you additional position depending on the progress of the investigation. We deeply apologize for the controversy caused by our artist," they added.
Despite Taeil's decision to leave the group, a report from Korea JoongAng Daily claimed that his contract with SM Entertainment has not been terminated yet.
Complaint filed as early as June; act was 'not against a minor or male'
Rumors were circulating on X that Taeil allegedly "assaulted an 11-year-old girl while others claimed that it was against a younger boy," but a spokesperson told Korea JoongAng Daily that the allegations were “not against a minor or male.”
Citing local media, The Independent detailed that the issue was rooted in a case filed back in June after Seoul’s Bangbae police station received a complaint from an adult woman against Taeil.
Since the music artist still attended NCT's 8th-anniversary fan meeting from Aug. 3 to 4, fans criticized his label for allowing him to perform despite being aware of the alleged sex crime he committed.
However, SM Entertainment told Korean media outlet Newsen that they only learned about the issue this August.
"Both the company and Taeil first learned about the indictment in mid-August. Taeil was questioned by the police on 28 August," they stated.
Since the allegations were made public, fans reacted negatively and began destroying his photocards and other memorabilia from their collections.
fans have also begin destroying and decluttering the merch items featuring taeil and selling for very low price and setting things like photocards on fire and cutting ✂️ pic.twitter.com/fel5hma4k6
— ethan petrucci (@adzverb) August 28, 2024
Taeil became a member of NCT in 2016. He was also a member of its sub-group NCT 127.
Previously, his fellow members Johnny and Haechan also faced controversy after they were accused of having sexual encounters with bar hostesses. However, SM Entertainment denied those rumors at the time, saying that the "sensational rumors" were "entirely false and constitute criminal acts that severely damage the artists' reputations."
NCT is composed of 26 members and five sub-units. Taeil's units, NCT 127 and NCT U, are known for their songs Cherry Bomb, Kick It, Regular, 2 Baddies, Baggy Jeans, Make A Wish, BOSS, Baby Don't Stop, and 90's Love.
Taeil is the fourth member to leave NCT following Lucas, Sungchan, and Shotaro in May 2023. Before departing the group, Lucas was on hiatus since August 2021 following controversies from his former romantic partners who accused him of cheating and gaslighting them, among other things.