SM Entertainment has officially terminated with former NCT singer Taeil due to his involvement in an ongoing sexual assault investigation.
On October 16, the K-pop agency released a statement sharing that it had terminated its contract with Taeil the day prior. “Our contract with Taeil was terminated as of October 15, 2024,” it said, per Korea JoongAng Daily.
“Taeil is now under investigation for a crime, which is cause for contract termination because our trust in him as an artist has been severely damaged. The termination came as the result of a mutual agreement,” SM Entertainment continued, expressing its apologies for the concern caused by the singer.
SM엔터테인먼트입니다. pic.twitter.com/vofR2Zo8ZJ
— SMTOWN (@SMTOWNGLOBAL) October 16, 2024
In late August, SM Entertainment announced that Taeil had left NCT after the agency discovered he was under investigation for a sexual offense. While it shared that it was still “assessing the facts of the matter” at the time, the label determined that he “can no longer continue his activities with NCT”.
Earlier this month, South Korean news outlet Chosun Ilbo reported that the K-pop singer and two other men had been indicted for the alleged sexual assault of an intoxicated woman. Taeil is currently being investigated on the charge of special quasi-rape.
In South Korea, the “quasi-rape” charge refers to sexual assault committed while armed with a weapon or with two or more people acting in concert against a victim in a vulnerable state. This includes being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Taeil first debuted as a member of NCT in 2016, and was a part of its permanent sub-unit NCT 127. Their last release was their July 2024 studio album ‘Walk’.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
