South Korean singer Taeil has left the K-pop group NCT following accusations of an unspecified sexual crime, his label announced on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's agency, SM Entertainment, issued a statement on X, stating that Taeil will be leaving the boy band after being "accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime."
SM Entertainment also stated that Taeil is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. "We will provide further statements as the investigation progresses," the agency said in a statement that was posted in Korean and translated by the Associated Press.
According to South Korean media, the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul confirmed it is investigating Taeil in connection with a sexual crime. However, the BBC was unable to reach the police for comment.
Taeil was a member of NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, a highly popular South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016. The group features over two dozen members who are divided into several subunits, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT U. Taeil was recently active in the NCT 127 subunit.
On August 15 of last year, Taeil was involved in a motorcycle accident in downtown Seoul. Following the accident, he temporarily halted his activities to focus on treatment and recovery.
NCT is known for its experimental music, which spans various genres and has achieved international recognition, with some of its releases appearing on Billboard charts.
K-pop, which originated in South Korea, is a fusion of pop, R&B, and hip-hop, and has become a global phenomenon, particularly following the rise of the boy band BTS in the late 2010s