Former NCT member Taeil dropped by SM Entertainment after quasi-rape charges

Both parties mutually agreed to terminate the contract.

Julia Yee

October 17, 2024, 03:26 PM

South Korean entertainment giant SM Entertainment has officially terminated its contract with former NCT member Moon Taeil.

This comes after the 30-year-old was slapped with quasi-rape charges for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman, along with two friends.

Back in August 2024, the company revealed that the K-pop artiste would be leaving NCT and its sub-units as he was being investigated for his alleged involvement in a "sexual crime".

The announcement came about a month after NCT 127, the sub-unit that Moon was in, released its latest album "Walk" in July.

Back then, Moon was still sighted in the album's promotional materials.

All of Moon's teammates were later discovered to have unfollowed him on their socials.

The singer remained signed under the agency.

"Impossible to maintain trust in him"

SM Entertainment announced on Oct. 16 that they had dropped Moon.

SM엔터테인먼트입니다. pic.twitter.com/vofR2Zo8ZJ

— SMTOWN (@SMTOWNGLOBAL) October 16, 2024

In a statement posted on social media, the agency said they had terminated their exclusive contract with the singer on 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 artiste.
As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to terminate the contract."

The agency then apologised for "any concern caused by Taeil".

Moon could face a minimum sentence of seven years in jail and up to life imprisonment if convicted, according to Chosun Ilbo.

The singer's Instagram account has since been made private.