NCT’s Taeil is currently embroiled in a serious scandal involving allegations of sexual crimes, leading to his departure from the group and significant repercussions within the K-pop community. This detailed timeline covers the key developments in the case, from Taeil’s abrupt exit from NCT to the unfollow spree by fellow members, police statements, and halted promotions.
Taeil’s Sudden Exit from NCT
On August 28, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Taeil had been removed from NCT due to his alleged involvement in a criminal investigation concerning sexual offenses. The severity of the allegations led the company to sever ties with Taeil, marking a pivotal moment for the group, as he had been a prominent member since their debut.
Following the official announcement, NCT’s social media accounts, including those for NCT 127, unfollowed Taeil’s personal account. Individual members quickly followed suit, distancing themselves from the scandal.
Among the first to act was Taeyong, who not only unfollowed Taeil but also cleared his entire following list and deleted several photos featuring Taeil, including images from his military send-off on April 15, 2024. Doyoung followed Taeyong’s actions by unfollowing Taeil and clearing his own following list entirely.
Other members, such as Haechan and Johnny, unfollowed Taeil’s account specifically without making broader changes to their social media presence. Winwin, also a member of WayV, along with Mark and Jungwoo, made similar decisions, solidifying the group’s collective stance.
Postponement of NCT Members’ Activities
The scandal has significantly impacted NCT’s promotional activities. Following Taeil’s removal, SM Entertainment informed fans that Jaehyun’s solo fansign event for his debut solo album J would be postponed.
Additionally, through WithMUU, the agency announced that scheduled video call events for NCT DREAM with Mark and Haechan for their album DREAM( )SCAPE would be delayed. The agency cited “unforeseen scheduling conflicts” and promised to announce new dates later.
fancalls that were scheduled for mark and haechan today have been postponed
Later on August 28, the Seoul Bangbae Police Station issued an initial statement confirming that they were investigating Taeil’s involvement in potential sexual crimes. The police clarified that the investigation did not involve sexual crimes against minors of the same gender but refrained from providing further details at the time.
Lee In Chun, the director of the youth and women’s division at Bangbae Police Station, hinted that more information might be shared on August 29.
Online Confusion and Clarifications
The scandal has sparked confusion online, particularly among those unfamiliar with K-pop. Many mistakenly identified Taeil as Shin Tae Il, a controversial internet streamer known for illegal activities. Shin Tae Il received numerous messages and was forced to clarify on social media that he was not the individual involved in the sexual crime case.
Netizens Scrutinize Taeil’s Past Club Activities
As the scandal unfolded, netizens began to scrutinize Taeil’s past behavior, especially his alleged club activities. A photo allegedly showing Taeil at a nightclub during his injury-related hiatus in March 2024 resurfaced on social media. Initially shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter), the image reignited discussions about Taeil’s conduct, with speculation that it might have been taken before his injury in July 2023.
my friend just told me she'd seen him at a club this winter and that he was drinking heavily and bothering a girl. I don't think it was the first time he'd bothered a girl at a club… https://t.co/vzwyfOUj2s
The scandal has deeply affected NCT’s fanbase, with many fans choosing to withdraw their support for Taeil. Numerous fan sites dedicated to Taeil have shut down, and some fans have destroyed merchandise featuring the idol, including burning photo cards. Taeil’s Instagram follower count has dropped significantly, with a loss of around 500,000 followers since the news broke.
Closed.
Tysm for being with me on this journey, and for your warm heartfelt support during my difficult times. I got to meet many lovely faces all around the world, I hope you all take care of yourselves, and please pray for the victim, condolences & my heart goes to the victim.
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