Former NCT’s Taeil’s Alleged Victim Is Reportedly Foreign

Previously, SM Entertainment announced Taeil‘s withdrawal from NCT due to an unspecified sexual crime. The company provided no additional details at that time.

On October 7, 2024, it was reported that Taeil was investigated a week ago on charges of aggravated rape. According to Chosun Ilbo, Taeil was taken in by the police for reportedly raping an intoxicated woman with two of his non-celebrity friends. On October 8, Ten Asia reported that the victim was a woman of foreign nationality. Previous rumors claimed the victim was a male, but it was confirmed untrue.

Taeil’s reported charge under investigation is, in Korean, “Special Quasi-Rape.” According to Korean law, the term “special” indicates that it was aggravated—meaning that it either involved weapon(s) or, in his case, more than two people. The term “quasi” indicates that the victim was unconscious and/or unable to resist. His charge in the US would most accurately be referred to as “aggravated rape.”

The case was sent to the Seoul Central Prosecutors Office after the Bangbae Police Station investigated Taeil. The Seoul Central Prosecutors Office has not summoned Taeil yet.

Upon hearing the reports, netizens suspect that Taeil and his friends believed they wouldn’t face repercussions if the victim were a foreigner. Yet, aggravated rape are severe cases.

According to the law, if Taeil admits to the charge, he could face more than seven years in jail. SM Entertainment provided a brief statement: “The case is under investigation and it is hard to give a statement at the moment.”