SM Entertainment terminates contract with ex-NCT member Taeil amid sexual assault claims
Former NCT member Taeil's contract with SM Entertainment has officially been terminated amid his sexual crimes allegations.
The agency's said in a statement that it has ceased its exclusive contract with the singer as of Oct. 15.
"Taeil is currently under investigation by the prosecution for a criminal case. This not only constitutes grounds for termination under our contract but also makes it impossible to maintain trust in him as an artist. As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to terminate the contract," SM Entertainment explained.
"We sincerely apologize once again for any concern caused by Taeil, who was previously one of our artists," it added.
Rumors were circulating on X that Taeil allegedly "assaulted an 11-year-old girl while others claimed that it was against a younger boy." However, a source told Korea JoongAng Daily that the allegations were “not against a minor or male.”
Citing local media, The Independent detailed that the issue was rooted in a case filed back in June after Seoul’s Bangbae police station received a complaint against Taeil from an adult woman.
Since the music artist still attended NCT's 8th-anniversary fan meeting from Aug. 3 to 4 earlier this year, fans criticized his label for allowing him to perform despite being aware of the alleged sex crime he committed.
However, SM Entertainment told Korean media outlet Newsen that it only learned about the issue this August.
"Both the company and Taeil first learned about the indictment in mid-August. Taeil was questioned by the police on 28 August," it stated.
Taeil left his boy band in the same month, with SM Entertainment stressing that it "could no longer continue our team activities" with him.
The Seoul Central Prosecutors Office is currently investigating his case, but authorities have yet to summon the music artist for further questioning.
Taeil became a member of NCT in 2016. He was also a member of its sub-group NCT 127.
Previously, his fellow members Johnny and Haechan also faced controversy after they were accused of having sexual encounters with bar hostesses. However, SM Entertainment denied the news at the time, saying that the "sensational rumors" were "entirely false and constitute criminal acts that severely damage the artists' reputations."
NCT is composed of 26 members and five sub-units. Taeil's units, NCT 127 and NCT U, are known for their songs Cherry Bomb, Kick It, Regular, 2 Baddies, Baggy Jeans, Make A Wish, BOSS, Baby Don't Stop, and 90's Love.
Taeil is the fourth member to leave NCT following Lucas, Sungchan, and Shotaro in May 2023. Before departing the group, Lucas went on hiatus since August 2021 following controversies related to his former romantic partners who accused him of cheating and gaslighting, among other things.