Former NCT member Taeyil is facing serious sexual crime allegations that have rocked the K-pop world. Discover how he continued participating in public events, including a fan meeting, even after being charged, leaving fans feeling betrayed.
NCT’s former member Taeyil, once a beloved figure in the global K-pop community, is now at the center of a shocking scandal. Accused of "special quasi-rape," a serious sexual crime under Korean law, Taeyil faces charges related to the assault of an intoxicated woman alongside two other individuals. The details of the case are particularly troubling, but what has left fans stunned is that Taeyil continued his public appearances, including a fan meeting, two months after being accused
Why Taeyil's Case Stunned Fans
On October 7, 2024, it was confirmed that Taeyil had been formally charged and transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. He had been under investigation by the Seoul Bangbae Police since June, following a report from a victim who alleged that Taeyil and two others sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated. Despite these serious allegations, Taeyil continued performing and participating in NCT’s activities, including their 8th anniversary fan meeting in August, leaving fans shocked and betrayed
SM Entertainment, Taeyil's agency, claimed that they were only made aware of the charges in mid-August. This statement came after significant backlash from fans, who criticized the company for allowing Taeyil to continue his public activities despite the severity of the accusations. Fans accused both Taeyil and the agency of deceiving them by allowing him to perform while under investigation for such serious allegations
The Scandal Unfolds
Taeyil’s situation escalated when it was revealed that his case involved “special quasi-rape,” which is defined as a crime involving two or more people or the use of dangerous objects during the assault of a person in a state of mental incapacity. If convicted, Taeyil could face a minimum of seven years in prison or even life imprisonment
As the details of the case came to light, SM Entertainment made the decision to have Taeyil withdraw from NCT, stating, "We recognized the seriousness of the charges and decided that Taeyil could no longer continue with his group activities." However, the revelation that he participated in the August fan meeting and other promotional events, despite being under investigation, has fueled anger among fans, many of whom feel betrayed by both
A Public Backlash
The backlash from fans has been intense. Many took to social media, sharing videos of themselves cutting up photo cards of Taeyil and expressing their disappointment. Some fans demanded harsher punishment, with one stating, "If this is such a serious crime that it warranted his immediate withdrawal, then why were we not informed earlier? The public deserves to know the truth"
The scandal has not only tarnished Taeyil’s reputation but also placed SM Entertainment under heavy scrutiny. Fans continue to question why the company allowed Taeyil to perform at the fan meeting just weeks before he was formally charged.
A Scandal That Shook K-Pop
Taeyil’s case has drawn comparisons to previous high-profile scandals in the K-pop industry, such as those involving Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon, who were convicted of similar crimes and received prison sentences. Like them, Taeyil’s involvement in such a crime could lead to severe legal repercussions, further marking his fall from grace. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the once-celebrated idol has likely seen the end of his career
As the investigation continues, SM Entertainment has promised to cooperate with authorities and issue additional statements as the case progresses. For now, the K-pop world is left grappling with the shock of one of its stars being embroiled in such a serious scandal.
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