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South Korean singer Taeil has left the K-pop group NCT following accusations of an unspecified sexual crime, according to an announcement by his label on Wednesday. SM Entertainment, the 30-year-old's agency, shared on X that Taeil will be departing from the band due to "accusations in a criminal case related to a sexual crime." The label did not disclose details about the alleged crime but emphasized the seriousness of the situation, leading to the decision that Taeil, whose legal name is Moon Tae-il, will no longer "continue his activities with the team." Taeil has not yet publicly addressed the allegations.
SM Entertainment stated that Taeil is fully cooperating with the police investigation. "We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses," the statement, posted in Korean and translated by the Associated Press, noted. According to South Korean media, the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul is investigating Taeil in connection with a sexual crime. The BBC has been unable to obtain a comment from the police.
Taeil was a member of NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, a popular South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016. The group currently comprises over two dozen members across several subunits, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Wish. Taeil was most recently active with NCT 127.
On August 15 of the previous year, Taeil was involved in a motorcycle accident in downtown Seoul, which led him to temporarily suspend his activities to focus on treatment and recovery. Known for their experimental music across various genres, NCT has achieved international recognition, with some of their releases making it to Billboard charts.
K-pop, which originated in South Korea, blends pop, R&B, and hip-hop, and has become a global sensation, especially following the success of the boy band BTS in the late 2010s.