K-pop singer Taeil leaves boy band over sexual crime accusation

South Korean singer Taeil has left the K-pop band NCT after being accused of an unspecified sexual crime, his label introduced on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old’s company, SM Leisure, launched a press release on X, saying the NCT member will depart from the boy band after studying he has been “accused in a prison case associated to a sexual crime”.

The label didn’t specify the character of the alleged crime however stated it “recognised the seriousness of the scenario” and determined Taeil, whose authorized title is Moon Tae-il, can not “proceed his actions with the crew”.

Taeil has not publicly commented on the allegations.

SM Leisure added that he’s totally cooperating with the police investigation.

“We’ll present additional statements because the investigation progresses,” the assertion, which was posted in Korean and translated by Related Press, stated.

The Bangbae Police Station in Seoul introduced it was investigating Taeil in relation to a sexual crime, in keeping with South Korean media.

The BBC was unable to achieve police for remark.

Taeil was a part of NCT, or Neo Tradition Expertise, a globally widespread South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016.

The group at the moment has over two dozen members divided into a number of subunits, together with NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Want.

Taeil was not too long ago energetic in NCT 127.

On 15 August final 12 months, Taeil acquired right into a automobile accident in downtown Seoul, in South Korea, whereas travelling on his motorbike.

He quickly suspended his schedules to give attention to therapy and restoration.

Identified for experimental music spanning varied genres, NCT has gained worldwide consideration with some releases charting on Billboard lists.

K-pop originated from South Korea and is an amalgamation of pop, R&B and hip-hop.

It has grown into a world phenomenon, notably after the success of the boy band BTS within the late 2010s.