K-pop star Taeil has been expelled from SM Entertainment over sex crime allegations

By KTimes

30-year-old Taeil (real name Moon Tae-il), a former member of K-pop idol group NCT, has had his contract terminated by SM Entertainment amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

SM Entertainment said on Wednesday: “Taeil’s exclusive contract was terminated on October 15.”

Taeil was investigated by police in June over allegations of sex crimes and was referred to prosecutors last month.

“The public prosecutor’s office is investigating Taeil because of a criminal complaint. This constitutes grounds for termination of the contract and we could no longer maintain confidence in him as an artist,” SM said. “As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate his exclusive contract.”

The victim who filed the complaint against Taeil is said to be an adult woman. News of Taeil’s involvement in the case first surfaced in August, leading to his exit from the group at the time.

Taeil debuted with NCT U in 2016 and was also a member of NCT sub-unit NCT 127.

This article from Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI system and published by The Korea Times.