Ex-NCT Member Taeil Removed From SM Entertainment
What we know about the sex-crime case police have sent to prosecution.
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As of October 16, SM Entertainment has terminated its contract with ex-NCT member Taeil, noting that his sex-crime case is now with prosecution. On August 28, SM made an abrupt announcement about Moon Tae-il, the 30-year-old K-pop singer who debuted under the stage name Taeil in 2016 and performed in the NCT subunits NCT U and NCT 127. “We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual offense,” the company said in a statement shared on social media, per a Soompi translation. “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 (NCT). After discussing with Taeil, we have decided on his departure from the group.” At the time, SM said the idol was “currently cooperating fully” with a police investigation, adding that the company would share more as the investigation progressed.
Although authorities and SM have yet to confirm any specific charges or allegations against Taeil, Chosun Ilbo reported on October 7 that Taeil was indicted on charges of aggravated quasi-rape and shared alleged details of the incident. Below, here’s what to know.
Can I get a quick case timeline?
Per multiple local outlets, the Seoul Bangbae Police Station has stated that in June, an accuser filed a criminal complaint against Taeil over an alleged sexual offense. It is not clear when the accuser is claiming that the criminal behavior took place. Taeil participated in an NCT 127 anniversary fan meeting on August 3 and 4; SM said in a statement to Ilgan Sports that it was first made aware of the complaint against Taeil in mid-August. According to SM, police then began investigating Taeil on August 28, the same day his exit from the group was announced. Police confirmed on August 29 that Taeil had been booked and was being investigated, and later added that his case was sent to prosecution without detention on September 12.
What are the charges against Taeil?
On October 7, Chosun Ilbo exclusively reported that Taeil had been indicted on aggravated “quasi-rape” charges for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman with two non-celebrity acquaintances. Neither authorities nor SM have confirmed this report. In a same-day response translated by Soompi, SM said it was “difficult to comment” because “the matter is currently under investigation.”
Under South Korean law, “quasi-rape” occurs when a person has sexual intercourse with or commits an indecent act on someone by taking advantage of their unconsciousness or inability to resist. Aggravated quasi-rape (sometimes translated as “special quasi-rape”) refers to sexual assault committed either when carrying a weapon or when two or more people act jointly against a person who is incapacitated and unable to resist. According to Chosun Ilbo and Korea JoongAng Daily, Taeil could face seven years to life in prison if found guilty.
What have authorities said?
Official details are still pretty sparse. Police previously confirmed that the complaint Taeil was being investigated for was made by an adult woman; per Korea JoongAng Daily, they specifically noted that the accuser was not a minor or a male. That clarification was seemingly in response to several claims that had been circulating on social media, including that Taeil had allegedly assaulted either an 11-year-old girl or a young boy. Sports Chosun later reported that a police official told press that Taeil was not under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.
What is Taeil’s status at SM?
The company has fully cut ties. In an October 16 statement, SM confirmed that its exclusive contract with Taeil had been terminated the day before. “Taeil is currently under investigation by the prosecution for a criminal case. This not only constitutes grounds for termination under our contract but also makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist,” the statement explained, per a Soompi translation. “As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to terminate the contract. We sincerely apologize once again for any concern caused by Taeil, who was previously one of our artists.”
SM previously confirmed in an August 28 statement that Taeil had left NCT. At the time, it was unclear if his departure from group activities meant he would also leave the company; Korea JoongAng Daily reported on August 29 that Taeil’s contract with SM was still intact.
Taeil is the first member of NCT to be removed from both the group and the company. Former NCT member Lucas, who previously faced online allegations of cheating on and gaslighting multiple ex-girlfriends, issued an apology in 2021 for his unspecified “wrong behavior” before ultimately leaving the group in 2023. Lucas, however, is still signed with SM, and promoted as a soloist on music shows this year.
Anything else I need to know?
There’s been increased attention on sexual misconduct in South Korea this year. In August, there were viral claims on social media tied to chat rooms where men allegedly share photos of themselves groping sleeping relatives. Multiple recent reports have also amplified concerns around other chat rooms where deepfake porn — including of underage girls — is allegedly created and distributed. According to the BBC, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol called on authorities to “thoroughly investigate and address these digital sex crimes to eradicate them.” Some K-pop fans claimed that a list of idols involved in illicit chat rooms would soon be publicized. However, names that have spread online appear to be purely speculation; as of publication time, there has been no such verified list or report suggesting that one exists.
This post has been updated.
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