On August 29th, industry sources reported that NCT’s Jaehyun, who released his solo debut album “J” on August 26th, had his fan signing event scheduled for that day postponed indefinitely. The day before, when news of Taeil’s indictment became public, other NCT members, Mark and Haechan, canceled their video call fan signing event.
Taeil, the eldest and main vocalist of NCT’s unit NCT 127, was involved in a motorcycle accident on his way home in August last year and halted his activities for a while. While NCT 127 members frequently mentioned and expressed their longing for him during concerts, Taeil ultimately brought harm to the team.
Following his expulsion from NCT the previous day, SM Entertainment and other NCT members swiftly unfollowed Taeil’s social media account, signaling a rapid disassociation.
Interestingly, SM Entertainment is generally known for being lenient with its artists, often retaining them despite incidents or scandals, almost as an unwritten rule. However, SM’s quick decision to expel Taeil has sparked curiosity about the specifics of the allegations. Police revealed that they had received a report in June regarding Taeil’s involvement in a sexual offense and had booked him.
NCT’s fandom NCTzen, who had been eagerly awaiting Taeil’s return, are now in shock over the news of his expulsion. Although NCT is now SM’s flagship boy group, they didn’t garner immediate attention upon debut. Initially, their technology-infused concept was seen as somewhat complex, but over time, they gained recognition for their talent and built a massive fan base, creating strong bonds between the members and fans. Taeil, who was known for his gentle image, has especially left fans stunned by the news of his involvement in a sexual crime.
Adding to the disappointment, NCT 127 recently received major awards at various ceremonies, but the group’s reputation has now been tarnished due to Taeil’s actions, leaving fans feeling even more disheartened.
Taeil debuted as an NCT member in 2016, participating in both NCT 127 and NCT U. His expulsion reduces the total number of NCT members from 26 to 25.
Source: Daum
