“No Photos—He’s Going Through a Lot”: Former NCT Member Taeil Spotted Drinking Ahead of Sexual Assault Trial

Shocking reports have surfaced regarding Moon Taeil, the former NCT member who was removed from the group following his indictment on sexual assault charges.

On April 21, a post began circulating on online communities, claiming the writer had witnessed Taeil in public. The post included a photo of a man believed to be Taeil dining at a restaurant with one male and one female acquaintance while drinking alcohol.

The poster wrote, “I saw Moon Taeil the other day. He’s out drinking ahead of his first trial,” and added that the photo had been taken by a friend who happened to be at the same restaurant. According to the post, one of the people at the table said, “Please don’t take pictures—he’s going through a hard time.”

Taeil was indicted in June 2024 on charges of aggravated quasi-rape (under Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes) for allegedly assaulting an intoxicated woman along with two accomplices. The co-defendants reportedly told police the act was not premeditated, while Taeil did not participate in the police summons, citing health reasons. The case was later forwarded to prosecutors.

Following the allegations, SM Entertainment terminated Taeil’s contract, and he was officially removed from NCT.

Taeil’s Sexual Assault Trial Set for May 12

The first court hearing for Taeil and the two others involved is scheduled for May 12, 2025.

According to Star News, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 26 has scheduled the first hearing for Taeil and two other defendants on May 12, in connection with charges of aggravated quasi-rape under Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

The case stems from a February 28, 2024 indictment by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, which pursued the charges without detention.

Taeil, a former member of NCT, was first reported to police on June 13, 2023, after an adult woman, referred to as A, filed a criminal complaint accusing him of sexual assault. He was officially booked, and during an August 28 police summons, the charge was elevated to aggravated quasi-rape, bringing heightened public attention.

Although police requested arrest warrants for all three suspects, the court rejected the request, citing that the defendants acknowledged their actions and were not considered flight risks. Taeil was ultimately referred to prosecutors without detention in September 2023.

Under Korean law, aggravated quasi-rape is considered a serious felony. It applies in cases where two or more perpetrators jointly exploit a victim’s inability to resist, or when dangerous weapons are involved. While police clarified that no weapons were used in this case, the involvement of multiple suspects fulfills criteria for the charge. If convicted, Taeil could face a minimum sentence of seven years to life imprisonment.

As the case gained public attention, SM Entertainment announced the termination of Taeil’s exclusive contract in October 2023. In a statement, the agency said, “Taeil is currently under criminal investigation by prosecutors. This constitutes grounds for contract termination, and given the loss of trust in him as an artist, we reached a mutual agreement to end our contract.”

This effectively marked Taeil’s exit from the entertainment industry.

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