Taeil, a prominent member of K-pop group NCT, has officially left the group following allegations of unspecified sex crimes.
SM Entertainment, the agency that represents the K-pop group and the 30-year-old idol, released a statement on Wednesday, stating that Taeil is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation.
The news came as a shock to fans of the global K-pop phenomenon, who have followed Taeil’s journey since he joined NCT in 2016. Over the years, Taeil has been instrumental in NCT’s success, particularly through NCT 127, one of the group’s subunits. His departure marks a significant change for both the group and its loyal fanbase, the NCTzens.
In a statement shared with Billboard, SM Entertainment addressed the severity of the situation: “We have just learned that TAEIL has been charged in a criminal case involving sexual crimes.”
The agency continued, “While evaluating the facts regarding this matter, we realized the severity of the issue and decided that he could no longer continue the group’s activities. After discussing with TAEIL, we decided that he would withdraw from the group… We deeply apologize for the controversy caused by our artist.”
Despite the public interest, details about the nature of the alleged crime remain scarce. The Associated Press reported that police declined to comment on the investigation. Taeil’s withdrawal from NCT is considered a precautionary measure amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Taeil’s career has been tumultuous over the past year. In August 2023, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, requiring surgery and a temporary hiatus from group activities. His recovery has been slow, with SM Entertainment providing an update in October that he still needs “full treatment and stabilization” following the surgery. As a result, Taeil was unable to participate in NCT 127’s “Neo City – The Unity Tour” set to launch in November 2023.
This departure is not the first controversy to hit NCT 127 in recent months. Nearly two months ago, members Johnny and Haechan were embroiled in a sex scandal after being accused online, allegations that SM Entertainment has vehemently denied.
The agency also threatened to take legal action against those spreading the rumors, stating, “We have collected sufficient evidence regarding many posts containing content on these issues… we will not ignore such crimes and will take legal action against those involved without mercy or recourse, regardless of their nationality.”
NCT, known for its unique structure of having multiple subgroups, has 25 members spread across different groups such as NCT U and NCT 127. Taeil plays an important role in these subgroups, contributing to the success of several albums that charted on the Billboard 200, including “Sticker: The 3rd Album”, “2 Baddies” and “NCT #127: Neo Zone, The 2nd Album”.
Taeil also holds the Guinness World Record for fastest person to reach 1 million Instagram followers, a title currently held by BTS’ Kim Taehyung ‘V’, according to Forbes.
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