Former NCT vocalist Moon Taeil has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of sexually assaulting an intoxicated tourist in Seoul. The case has sent shockwaves through the global K-pop community, sparking outrage and renewed scrutiny of misconduct in the entertainment industry
Highlights:
- Taeil, former member of NCT, sentenced to 3½ years in prison for gang rape
- Incident involved a drunk tourist in Itaewon, Seoul, in June 2024
- Court ordered Taeil to undergo rehabilitation and register as a sex offender
- Fans and the public express anger over perceived leniency of sentence
- Taeil was terminated from SM Entertainment in August 2024
On July 10, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced 31-year-old Taeil and two accomplices to three years and six months in prison for the sexual assault of a heavily intoxicated Chinese tourist. The assault took place at a private residence in Seoul’s Bangbae-dong area after the victim was lured from a bar in Itaewon. Taeil and his co-defendants were found guilty of special quasi-rape, a charge applicable when a victim is unconscious or unable to resist.
In addition to the prison sentence, Taeil must complete 40 hours of sexual violence education, register as a sex offender, and is barred for five years from working in institutions involving children or youth. The defendants were taken into custody immediately after sentencing due to their potential flight risk.
A Fall from K-pop Stardom
Once celebrated as a key member of SM Entertainment’s NCT and its units NCT 127 and NCT U, Taeil’s music career unraveled swiftly following the allegations. SM Entertainment terminated his contract in August 2024, and he was later removed from all NCT-related materials. The sentencing effectively marks a dramatic and disgraceful end to his entertainment career.
The sentence has been met with widespread criticism online. Many fans and activists argue the punishment is far too lenient, given the severity of the crime. Despite the prosecution’s push for a seven-year term, the court cited the victim’s decision not to pursue a harsher punishment and Taeil’s guilty plea as grounds for a lighter sentence.
Taeil now joins a growing list of former K-pop idols involved in sexual misconduct scandals, following figures like Seungri and Jung Joon-young. Critics say the industry still lacks strong accountability mechanisms, despite its global influence and massive youth following.
When power and fame go unchecked, justice must speak louder than fanfare.
