Entertainment
Taeil Leaves NCT Amid Sexual Crime Allegations
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean singer Taeil has departed from the K-pop band NCT following accusations of an unspecified sexual crime, confirmed by his label, SM Entertainment, on Wednesday.
The agency issued a statement via X, stating that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case concerning a sexual crime. Specific details regarding the nature of the allegations were not disclosed.
In light of the serious allegations, SM Entertainment indicated that Taeil can no longer partake in group activities. The agency has emphasized that they have discussed the situation with Taeil and that he will be leaving the group. Furthermore, he is reportedly fully cooperating with the police investigation.
Taeil is a member of NCT, which stands for Neo Culture Technology. The group is renowned globally and debuted in 2016, currently consisting of over two dozen members organized into various subunits, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Wish. Recently, Taeil has been active with NCT 127.
NCT is known for its innovative approach to music, incorporating a blend of genres that has resonated worldwide, with numerous releases achieving success on Billboard charts.
The statement from SM Entertainment received significant attention, attracting over 45.7 million views within three hours of its release.
As of now, the reports surrounding the criminal case remain unverified, and the police have refrained from providing additional comments.