NCT's Taeil under fire for aggravated quasi-rape allegations, SM Entertainment criticized for silence

Moon Taeil (30, stage name Taeil) from NCT has been under police investigation for aggravated quasi-rape, it was confirmed on the 7th. 

Moon was questioned at Seoul’s Bangbae Police Station and subsequently transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on August 12th. It has been reported that the prosecutors have not yet summoned Moon.

According to the investigation, Moon was accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was intoxicated, alongside two acquaintances, in June. He was summoned for questioning two months after the accusation, on August 28th. It is believed that none of Moon’s accomplices are public figures.

Aggravated quasi-rape involves committing rape while armed with a weapon or acting in concert with two or more people against a victim who is incapacitated or unable to resist. If the charges are upheld, Moon could face at least 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.

SM Entertainment released an official statement only after Moon’s police appearance, confirming that "Taeil has been accused of involvement in a criminal sexual offense" and added, "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 expressed frustration, saying, "If the crime is serious enough to warrant immediate withdrawal, the details should be disclosed." However, SM Entertainment has not provided further comments on the situation.

Many fans have demanded strict punishment, asserting that "Given there is a clear victim, we expect a harsh penalty" and questioning, "Is it really that hard not to commit a crime?" Some fans have even taken action, sharing videos of themselves cutting up Taeil’s photo cards and merchandise on social media.

Moon debuted in April 2016 as part of the boy group 'NCT U', a subunit of SM Entertainment's 'NCT', and gained significant popularity, particularly in Japan and China. He later joined the group’s other subunit, 'NCT 127'.

Despite the investigation, Moon continued to appear in public events, including the NCT 127 8th-anniversary fan meeting in Seoul’s Jamsil Indoor Stadium on August 3rd and 4th, and also participated in the group’s recently released full-length album.

Regarding the allegations of aggravated quasi-rape, an SM representative stated, "Since the investigation is ongoing, it is difficult to comment at this time."