trigger warning: Please note that this article contains discussion sexual harassment. Continue at your own discretion.
As South Korean media outlets reported on October 7, former NCT member Taeil is under police investigation for aggravated semi-rape against a woman. The report said the alleged victim is a foreign national who was found unconscious and intoxicated, posing as a South Korean singer. Two of her acquaintances allegedly sexually assaulted her. The reported incident occurred in June 2024. The Chosun Ilbo said the other two people linked to sex crimes are not celebrities or well-known people.
According to new reports, the 30-year-old man is believed to have conducted the Instagram livestream on June 13, 2024, a day after he was booked on sexual assault charges. The shocking development has left netizens speechless as the singer was found acting as K-pop idols usually present themselves candidly while interacting with their fans. Making a bare-faced appearance without makeup, Taeil acted as if everything was fine and discussed day-to-day issues like her new hairstyle. He was also seen humming songs during the broadcast.
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At the time, fans had no knowledge of that unfortunate incident as NCT’s agency, SM Entertainment, had announced his sudden departure from the boy band in light of the sex crime scandal on August 28.
K-pop fans react to Taeil’s ‘disgusting’ actions
However, when netizens look at the situation connecting the dots and understand the blurred timeline due to the lack of reporting on the case, shocking details leave them disappointed.
“What happened to him? Is he a psychopath?” A K-pop enthusiast commented on No one can forgive what he has done.”
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A third netizen commented, “It bothers me how he can show his face after that.” Meanwhile, a fourth said, “Sexual crimes get a slap on the wrist in SK. So he knows he will get a lighter punishment and will be out in no time.
For a better understanding of what Taeil’s alleged crime involved, South Korean law states that aggravated quasi-rape charges apply when a person commits a sexual assault while he or she is armed with a weapon. Acts with two or more people against someone who is unable to do so. resist. If the ex-NCT singer is found guilty, he could face a minimum sentence of seven years in prison or life imprisonment under Article 4, Section 1 of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Offenses and Other Offences.
