South Korean singer Taeil has officially left the K-pop group NCT after being accused of an undisclosed sexual crime, according to a statement released by his label, SM Entertainment, on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old's agency announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Taeil, whose full name is Moon Tae-il, would be stepping down from NCT following news that he is "involved in a criminal investigation related to a sexual offense." While the label did not provide details about the alleged crime, it emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Taeil could no longer "continue his activities with the group."
Taeil has not made any public statements regarding the accusations. SM Entertainment also noted that he is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
"We will share further updates as the investigation unfolds," the agency said in its statement, which was originally posted in Korean and later translated by the Associated Press.
The Bangbae Police Station in Seoul has confirmed that they are investigating Taeil in connection with a sexual crime, according to reports in South Korean media. The BBC was unable to reach the police for further comments.
Taeil was a member of NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, a widely popular South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016. The group, known for its innovative music, includes over two dozen members who perform in various subunits, such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U. Taeil was most recently active in NCT 127.
Last year, on August 15, Taeil was involved in a motorcycle accident in downtown Seoul. He temporarily halted his activities to focus on his recovery.
NCT has gained international recognition for its genre-blending music, with some of their releases charting on Billboard. K-pop, which originated in South Korea, is a blend of pop, R&B, and hip-hop and has become a global sensation, especially following the worldwide success of the boy band BTS in the late 2010s.
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