SM Entertainment terminates contract with NCT’s Taeil

Warning: Mentions of sexual assault.

Former NCT member Taeil’s contract with SM Entertainment has just been officially terminated.

The K-pop powerhouse label and agency released an official statement across all of its platforms on October 16, 2024, confirming the news for both concerned fans and the general public. Check out the full statement they shared below:

“This is SM Entertainment.

We would like to inform you that our exclusive contract with Taeil has been terminated as of October 15, 2024.

Criminal proceedings are currently being initiated against Taeil by the public prosecutor. Not only does this constitute grounds for termination of our contract, but it also makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist. As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to terminate the contract.

We once again sincerely apologize for any concerns raised by Taeil, who was previously one of our artists.”

Earlier this month, Korean news publication Cholson Ilbo revealed that the former NCT idol is currently under investigation on suspicion of aggravated quasi-rape for a crime allegedly committed with two of his acquaintances against a drunken woman. According to the report, after the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul investigated Taeil, Taeil was finally transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office on September 12, 2024. Responding to the publication’s report on Taeil’s specific allegations, SM Entertainment mentioned, “That’s it. It’s difficult to comment on this as the matter is currently under investigation.”

At the end of August this year, Taeil was removed from NCT as soon as news of his involvement in unspecified sex crimes broke. The label was the one who broke the news to the public and released an official statement informing the public about the seriousness of the situation and the way they promptly responded to such allegations.

Taeil first debuted as a member of NCT, NCT U, and its most popular subgroup, NCT 127, and has been active in the group since their training squad prior to debut in 2015. Beyond his work with NCT, he has also contributed to various Korean soundtracks – including those of Twenty-five, twenty-one, Missing Crown PrinceAnd I love to hate youamong other things.