New Delhi:

SM Entertainment, the agency behind the biggest K-pop idols, has announced that NCT member Taeil will be expelled from the group following allegations of sexual misconduct. The agency, which manages popular bands such as Aespa, Riize and Super Junior, released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) confirming that the 30-year-old singer is under investigation for an unspecified sex crime, according to Variety. SM Entertainment stated that Taeil is fully cooperating with authorities. After a thorough review, the agency decided that Taeil’s continued participation in NCT was no longer possible.

In consultation with Taeil, both parties agreed that it was in his best interest to leave the group. The agency apologized to fans and the public and expressed regret over the controversy surrounding their artist.

The agency issued a statement to Billboard, saying: “We recently learned that TAEIL has been charged with a sexual offense in a criminal case. Upon reviewing the facts of the matter, we recognized the seriousness of the issue and concluded that he can no longer continue with the team’s activities. After consulting with TAEIL, it has been decided that he will resign from the team… We deeply apologize for the controversy our artist has caused.”

NCT, short for Neo Culture Technology, is known for its large member roster, which currently includes 26 members. The group includes several sub-units, such as NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV. Taeil was a key member of NCT 127 and the main unit of NCT, and contributed significantly to their international success.

NCT 127’s 2021 album Sticker – The Third Album was a notable success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart with 3.6 million streams. This success was partly due to the K-pop’s strategy of releasing multiple physical deluxe editions.

This incident is not the first controversy involving SM Entertainment’s artists. Earlier this year, the agency dealt with allegations against NCT members Johnny and Haechan, as well as Super Junior’s Heechul, for inappropriate behavior toward bar hostesses. SM Entertainment denied these rumors at the time.