On August 28, SM Entertainment 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.” SM said the idol was “currently cooperating fully” with a police investigation, and added that the company would share more as the investigation progressed. While the statement offered no further details about the allegations against Taeil, multiple disturbing claims about what he had been accused of began circulating on social media. In general, there seems to be some slight confusion over what’s rumor and what’s real. Is he even still under SM?Below, here’s what to know.
Can I get a quick 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 then participated in an NCT 127 anniversary fanmeeting 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.
What’s the latest on the police investigation?
Other the fact that it is happening, official details are actually still pretty sparse right now. Police have said that the complaint Taeil is being investigated for was made by an adult woman; per Korea JoongAng Daily, police 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.
What is Taeil’s status at SM now?
Per SM’s August 28 statement, Taeil is no longer an NCT member. However, his departure from group activities does not necessarily mean he’s leaving the company. Korea JoongAng Daily reported on August 29 that Taeil’s contract with SM was still intact — and as of publication time, Taeil is also still listed as an individual artist on SM’s website.
It wouldn’t be unprecedented if he stayed with the company. Former NCT member Lucas, who previously faced allegations of cheating and gaslighting multiple ex-girlfriends, issued an apology in 2021 for his “wrong behavior” before ultimately leaving the group in 2023. However, Lucas is still signed with SM, and promoted as a soloist on music shows this year.
Anything else I need to know?
There’s definitely increased attention on sexual misconduct in South Korea right now. Earlier this month, 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. Per 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 have recently claimed that a list of idols involved in illicit chat rooms will soon be publicized. However, names spreading online currently appear to be purely speculation; as of publication time, there has been no such verified list or report suggesting that one exists.
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