South Korean singer Taeil, right, poses with other members of K-Pop group NCT 127 upon arrival at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards or 2021 MAMA in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
South Korean singer Taeil has officially exited the K-pop group NCT following allegations of involvement in a sexual crime, according to his agency, SM Entertainment.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the agency confirmed that Taeil would no longer be part of the group after being "accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime." The specifics of the alleged crime were not disclosed.
"We acknowledge the gravity of this situation and have determined that Taeil cannot continue his activities with the group," the statement read. SM Entertainment further noted that the decision was made after discussions with Taeil and added that he is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation.
Taeil was a member of NCT, also known as Neo Culture Technology, a highly popular South Korean boy band that made its debut in 2016. The group is known for its unique structure, featuring over 20 members who perform in various subunits such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U. Taeil was most recently active with NCT 127, a subunit recognized for its experimental music and global appeal, with some of their releases even charting on Billboard.
The announcement from SM Entertainment quickly gained attention, amassing over 45.7 million views within three hours. At this time, the details of the criminal case have not been independently confirmed, and the police have declined to comment.
K-pop, which blends elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop with South Korean cultural influences, has grown into a global sensation, particularly after the international success of groups like BTS in the late 2010s.
