K-pop boy band NCT has cut ties with fellow member Taeil following allegations of a sexual crime.
The 30-year-old singer, whose real name is Moon Taeil, was recently accused of the offense in a police report.
The Seoul Bangbae Police Station confirmed that they are investigating Taeil as a suspect. While the exact nature of the allegations remains unclear, authorities have stated that the crime did not involve a minor or the same sex.
NCT members, as well as official social media accounts for the group and its subunit NCT 127, have unfollowed Taeil on Instagram.
SM Entertainment, NCT’s agency, announced Taeil’s departure from the group on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
“We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime,” the statement read.
“While assessing the facts, we recognized the gravity of the matter and decided that he could no longer continue his team activities. After discussing it with Taeil, we decided to have him leave the team,” it continued.
The agency expressed their commitment to cooperating with the police investigation and apologized for the controversy caused by the incident.
“Taeil is currently cooperating faithfully with the police investigation, and we will provide additional information as the investigation progresses. We deeply apologize for the controversy caused by our artist,” the agency added.
The news has come as a shock to fans of NCT, who had recently attended the group’s eighth-anniversary fan meeting on Aug. 3 and 4.
