SM Entertainment's former NCT member Taeil, expelled last year, faces trial for special aggravated rape charges

Former NCT member Taeil (real name Moon Taeil), who was previously terminated by SM Entertainment, is now facing trial for special aggravated rape charges. He is accused of sexually assaulting a woman with acquaintances. 

According to legal sources on March 4th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office's Women and Children's Crime Investigation Division (Chief Kim Ji Hye) indicted Taeil and two accomplices on charges of special aggravated rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act on February 28th.

The trio is accused of raping a woman who was intoxicated in June of last year. Although a detention warrant was requested for Taeil, it was rejected on the grounds that their acknowledgment of the crime made detention unnecessary.

There were also suspicions that they had used a weapon during the crime after the special aggravated rape charge was reported, but these allegations were confirmed to be false. The special aggravated rape charge applies when a weapon is involved or when two or more individuals assault a victim who is in a state of diminished mental capacity or unable to resist. It has been clarified that they were not in possession of any weapon during the incident.

Full Official Statement from SM Entertainment:

"This is SM Entertainment.

We inform you that the exclusive contract between our company and Taeil has been terminated as of October 15, 2024.

Taeil is currently under prosecution investigation for a criminal case. This constitutes grounds for contract termination and makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist. Therefore, we have decided to terminate the exclusive contract by mutual agreement.

Once again, we sincerely apologize for any concerns caused by our former artist Taeil."