* This article contains information related to a sexual offence. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual or physical violence, please reach out for help or contact the support networks mentioned at the bottom of the article.*
K-pop singer and songwriter Taeil left the boy group, NCT, on August 28 following his involvement in an unspecified sex crime.
Moon Tae-il, better known as Taeil, was kicked out after his management claimed they were “assessing the facts related to the matter”. The 30-year-old singer’s agency, SM Entertainment, said in a statement that Taeil could no longer continue his activities after he “had been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual offence”.
According to the Seoul Banghae Police Station, Taeil has been under investigation since June after being “reported by a legal adult woman”. The Seoul Banghae Police Station did not specify the type of sex crime Taeil has been accused of.
Following the release of this information, SM Entertainment postponed the schedules of their other artists like Jaehyun, also a member of NCT.
The news of Taeil’s involvement in a sexual offence sparked controversy in the K-pop community. Many of NCT’s fans, known as ‘NCTzens’, took to social media platforms such as X to express their “disappointment”.
“If you defend Taeil please go ahead and block me I’m actually sick to my stomach you people cannot be real,” user @ysltennie said.
“Stop blaming the female victims, stop blaming the female stans, the only person at fault here is the man. Moon Taeil is at fault,” user @jjkracha said.
But, Taeil’s case is not new in the K-pop industry. Several K-pop idols have been called out for crimes regarding sexual offences. The Burning Sun Scandal was one of the largest sex scandal cases in South Korea where Seungri, a former member of Big Bang which is one of the biggest K-pop groups, along with other South Korean celebrities were involved in cases of rape and sexual assault.
This controversy follows heightened awareness of male violence against women. According to the World Health Organisation, 30 per cent of women globally have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence.
Taeil made his official debut as a member of NCT in 2016 and has been an active group member until his departure.
*If you or anyone you know is experiencing distress or found anything in this article distressing, don't hesitate to contact the following for support. *
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