Metro Manila, Philippines — K-pop boy group NCT announced that member Taeil has exited the group amid allegations of his involvement in a sexual offense.
SM Entertainment, the group’s parent company, released an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, August 28.
SM엔터테인먼트입니다. pic.twitter.com/28XapiFuOk
— SMTOWN (@SMTOWNGLOBAL) August 28, 2024
“We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual offense. 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,” the company stated, according to a translation by K-pop news website Soompi.
The agency stressed that the 30-year-old vocalist is “cooperating fully with the police investigation” and assured fans that further updates will be provided as the case develops.
SM Entertainment also extended its apology, stating its regret over the “concern and distress caused by our artist.”
Fans of the group expressed their shock and disbelief online.
SM has never acted so fast to drop a male idol before. They supported Lucas and even gave him a solo debut. What did Taeil do that made SM cut him loose so quickly, even before any news broke? It must be something serious.
— Maeve (@maevenNsolitude) August 28, 2024
Taeil? A Taeil?!! He is the last person I’ve never imagined to be involved in the sort of crime. 🥺🥺 shocking!!! 🥺
— 1001ik (@1001ika) August 28, 2024
Some netizens also noted that both NCT and its subunit NCT 127 have already unfollowed Taeil on social media.
OH GODDDDD…… EVEN NCT AND NCT 127 INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT UNFOLLOW MOON TAEIL. pic.twitter.com/FJGJGy7Blh
— V (@lastnamevy) August 28, 2024
instagram nct & nct127 unfollowed taeil
taeyong & doyoung now has 0 following pic.twitter.com/XuVj62Ry0c— ran 𐙚 (@yunohours) August 28, 2024
As of this writing, Taeil has not yet released a personal statement regarding the allegations.
