Taeil, former singer of K-Pop group NCT, is sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to rape

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As a dedicated fan of cinema and all things K-pop, I’m following the recent developments surrounding Taeil, the South Korean vocalist, who was once part of the beloved group NCT. Regrettably, he has found himself in hot water due to allegations of a serious sex crime that led to his departure last year.

On Thursday, a Seoul Central District Court handed down a 3½ year prison sentence to the 31-year-old musician, Moon Tae-il, for sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman from China who had visited South Korea in 2024. This incident occurred after Taeil and two other men admitted guilt in June to charges of quasi-rape involving special circumstances.

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The South Korean musician Taeil has announced his departure from the K-pop band NCT, following allegations that he’s involved in a criminal case concerning sexual misconduct, according to statements made by his management on Wednesday.

On Thursday, I was informed by The Korea Herald that three individuals were detained following the verdict, and each was mandated to complete a 40-hour program focusing on sexual violence prevention. Originally, prosecutors aimed for a seven-year sentence for each of them, but considering they had no prior convictions, the court reduced their sentences by half.

In August 2024, it was announced by NCT’s management agency, SM Entertainment, that they were ending their relationship with member Taeil. This decision came after allegations surfaced regarding a criminal case involving sexual misconduct against him. At the time, further details were not provided, but the statement from SM Entertainment stated, “We understand the gravity of this situation, and as a result, we have made the decision that Taeil will no longer participate in group activities.

In a previous statement, we shared that after a conversation with Taeil, it was agreed he would depart from the group. At the same time, we mentioned that he has been diligently cooperating with the police investigation. Additionally, we expressed regret for any confusion or turmoil stemming from our artist’s actions.

In June 2024, Taeil, along with individuals named Lee and Hong (as referred to by prosecutors), encountered a woman at a bar located in the Itaewon area of Seoul. The quartet then spent time drinking together.

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Prior to their showcase at SMTown, NCT Dream delves into ‘Dreamscape’, emphasizing the significance of self-discipline within the music industry while offering a sneak peek into their forthcoming “forward-thinking” album.

According to reports from The Herald, the tourist got extremely drunk. It’s said that the singer assisted her into a taxi with Lee, who then brought her home. Later, it is alleged that Taeil and Hong pursued them separately and committed a sexual assault at Lee’s residence.

The accused individuals alternated performing inappropriate sexual acts on an individual who was heavily intoxicated and thus powerless to object. This type of crime is exceptionally serious, according to prosecutors. As a tourist from another country in an alien setting, it’s probable that the victim endured severe emotional trauma.

As a die-hard fan of K-pop, I made my grand entrance into the scene with NCT, also known as Neo Culture Technology, all the way back in 2016. More recently, you might’ve found me performing with sub-group NCT 127, but things have taken a different turn, and I’m no longer part of that team.

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2025-07-11 03:01