NCT's Taeil faces quasi-r*pe charges of drunk woman; fans ask why SM Entertainment continues to employ him
Known by his stage name Taeil, the singer is under police investigation for aggravated quasi-r*pe, as confirmed on October 7, 2024 (Monday).
NCT Taeil
Trigger Warning: Descriptions of rape and sexual assault.
As South Korea continues to deal with the widespread issue of illegal, sexually exploitative deepfake images of young women and girls circulating on Telegram, the news of idol Moon Taeil from the group NCT has only got fans of K-pop fans angry. Known by his stage name Taeil, the singer is under police investigation for aggravated quasi-r*pe, as confirmed on October 7, 2024 (Monday). He was questioned at Seoul's Bangbae Police Station and later transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on August 12.
Reports have stated that Taeil has not been summoned by the prosecutors so far. He could potentially face upto 7 years of life imprisonment.
ALSO READ | South Korean media's silence on NCT Taeil's sexual offence case for 2 months sparks outrage among K-Pop fans
The investigation revolves around allegations that Taeil, along with two acquaintances, sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman in June. Taeil was called in for questioning two months after the accusations surfaced, on August 28. Notably, none of his accomplices are public figures.
What is quasi-r*pe?
Aggravated quasi-r*pe refers to committing sexual assault while armed or in collaboration with two or more individuals against a victim who is incapacitated or unable to resist. If the charges are substantiated, Taeil could face a minimum of seven years in prison or a life sentence under Article 4, Section 1 of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Other Crimes.
Why are K-pop fans angry with SM Entertainment?
Following Taeil's police questioning, SM Entertainment released a statement acknowledging the accusations against him. They emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "Recognizing the severity of the matter, we concluded he could no longer continue group activities, and after discussions with Taeil, he decided to withdraw from the team."
Fans have expressed frustration with SM Entertainment's lack of communication regarding the unfolding situation. Many have demanded strict consequences with many even questioning why, despite his departure from the group, Taeil remains on SM Entertainment's roster of idols.
About Taeil:
Moon Taeil debuted in April 2016 as part of 'NCT U', a subunit of SM Entertainment's NCT, and quickly gained popularity, particularly in Japan and China. He later joined another subunit, 'NCT 127'. Despite the ongoing investigation, Taeil has continued to appear at public events, including the NCT 127 8th-anniversary fan meeting in Seoul on August 3rd and 4th, and participated in the group’s recent full-length album.
Regarding the allegations, an SM Entertainment representative stated, "Since the investigation is ongoing, it is difficult to comment at this time."
Updated: October 07, 2024 06:59 PM IST
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