SM Entertainment decided that “Taeil could not continue in NCT” after recognizing “the severity of the situation.” The formal investigation is still ongoing (SM Entertainment)
K-pop singer Taeil has officially parted ways with the group NCT as of August 28, according to his music label SM Entertainment. In a statement, the entertainment agency explained that the singer’s departure was due to him being involved in an alleged sexual assault case. The nature of the accusations has not been specified.
The 30-year-old artist is currently “fully cooperating with the authorities’ investigation” to determine or rule out his responsibility.
“While reviewing the evidence related to the case, we recognized the seriousness of the situation and determined that Taeil cannot continue his activities with the boy group NCT,” SM Entertainment said. “After discussions with Taeil, we have decided to part ways with him from the boy band.”
“We will provide more information as the investigation progresses. We deeply apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to our artist,” the company concluded.
Taeil had not participated in NCT127 concerts or musical performances since August 2023, when he suffered a motorcycle accident (SM Entertainment)
The news has come as a surprise to NCT fans, who were expecting positive news from the member. Taeil had already been absent from the boy band’s public activities since August of last year, as he was recovering from a severe motorcycle accident in which he fractured his leg and had to undergo surgery.
Taeil was recruited as a trainee at the age of 19 after SM Entertainment became interested in his voice. At the time, the young man had also been accepted into the music faculty of the prestigious Hanyang University. Between the two options, Moon chose K-pop and was introduced as a trainee on SM Rookies in 2015.
A year later, Taeil debuted as a member and main vocalist of NCT 127, a permanent subunit of the megaboyband NCT. This project was created at SM with the particularity of adding members and subunits aimed at different countries around the world, such as WayV (China) and NCT Wish (Japan).
This is what NCT 127 looked like in 2017, for the album “Cherry Bomb.” Taeil was one of the group’s main vocalists. (SM Entertainment)
As of 2024, prior to Taeil’s departure, there were 26 active members in NCT. Previously, three other members had left the project for other reasons. In 2023, Sungchan and Shotaro left the group to debut in the new boy band RIIZE, while Lucas Wong left NCT in May of that year after a hiatus that lasted more than 18 months.
NCT 127’s most recent album was Walk, their sixth LP released in July 2024. Taeil did not accompany his colleagues on the live performances of the lead single due to his injury; although he did take part in the music video, the conceptual photo shoot, and the recording of the album.
Alongside his career in the group, Taeil also released songs for the soundtracks (OSTs) of different K-dramas. He sang “Starlight” for the series Twenty Five Twenty One, “Lovey Dovey” for Battle of Love, and “Wave” for Bewitching a King. His latest project was the cover of the song “Weird” for the music project “About Love” by a well-known lyricist in the industry.
Following the announcement of his departure, NCT and other members have unfollowed Taeil on social media. (SM Entertainment)
At the time of writing, it was reported that NCT’s social media accounts had unfollowed Taeil. The personal accounts of other members of the boy band, such as Taeyong, Doyoung, and Haechan, have also publicly disassociated themselves from the vocalist.
Additionally, some promotional activities for the group have reportedly been postponed following the announcement. Fans who were scheduled to attend a fan signing with member Jaehyun on August 29 were informed that the event was postponed to a later date due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Another video call activity (fancalls) with Mark and Haechan that was scheduled for August 28 has also been suspended due to “unanticipated scheduling conflict.”
