K-pop singer Taeil quits boy band NCT over unspecified sex crime allegations – The Journal

FILE – South Korean singer Taeil, right, poses with other members of K-pop group NCT 127 upon his arrival at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards, or 2021 MAMA, in Paju, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean singer Taeil has left the K-pop band NCT after being accused of an unspecified sex crime, his label announced Wednesday.

His agency, SM Entertainment, released a statement on X, saying that the NCT member would be leaving the boy band after it was revealed that he was “accused of a sexual crime.” The nature of the crime was not specified by the agency.

“We have recognized the seriousness of the issue and have decided that Taeil can no longer continue with the team's activities,” the label said. “We have discussed this matter with Taeil and it has been decided that he will leave the group.” The label added that it is fully cooperating with the police investigation.

Taeil was part of NCT (Neo Culture Technology), a globally popular South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016. The group currently has over two dozen members divided into several subgroups, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Wish. Taeil was most recently active in NCT 127. The group is known for experimental music of various genres and has gained international attention with several releases charting on the Billboard charts.

SM Entertainment's statement was viewed over 45.7 million times in less than three hours.

The report of a criminal investigation could not be independently verified and police declined to comment.

Originating in South Korea, K-pop is a mix of Western pop, R&B and hip hop sounds that blends cultural elements from the country. It has become a global phenomenon, especially following the success of boy band BTS in the late 2010s.

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