South Korean media's silence on NCT Taeil's sexual offence case for 2 months sparks outrage among K-Pop fans

Trigger Warning: Descriptions of rape and sexual assault.

While South Korea has been dealing with the widespread issue of illegal, sexually exploitative deepfake images of young women and girls circulating on Telegram, the recent news involving NCT's Taeil has intensified fans' outrage. The situation was exacerbated by the revelation from the Seoul Bangbae Police Station that a woman reported Taeil for a sexual offence in June this year. According to Allkpop, SM Entertainment, Taeil's agency, stated that they were only informed of the criminal investigation in mid-August.

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The police clarified that the investigation did not involve sexual crimes against minors or members of the same gender but withheld further details at that time. However, according to things circulating on social media, no one believes the police and SM Entertainment.

An SM Entertainment representative explained, "Both SM Entertainment and Taeil were notified of the criminal investigation in mid-August. Taeil was subsequently summoned for questioning on August 28 KST." Although the police received the report in June, they did not inform Taeil about the investigation until August.

The delay in public disclosure of Taeil’s case has caused widespread confusion online, as many are questioning why the issue wasn't reported sooner despite the investigation starting in June. As the scandal unfolded, netizens began scrutinizing Taeil's past, including his alleged club activities.

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Many K-pop fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) are questioning the extent of SM Entertainment's influence over media coverage, with some expressing frustration over the lack of articles on such a significant issue. There is growing concern about the limited media coverage following Taeil’s removal from the group amid such serious allegations.

In response to the scandal, fans have reacted strongly, with many withdrawing their support for Taeil. Numerous fan sites dedicated to him have shut down, and some fans have even destroyed merchandise, including burning photo cards. Taeil's Instagram follower count has seen a significant drop, losing around 500,000 followers since the news broke.

Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of assault or sexual offense, please contact the authorities or reach out to a relevant NGO for support. Numerous helplines are available to provide assistance and guidance.

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