Former NCT’s Taeil Profile: Top Talent Disgraced by Sex Scandal? (2025 Updated)

Taeil occupied a significant position within the globally renowned K-pop group NCT and its prominent sub-unit NCT 127. As a main vocalist, his distinct vocal abilities were integral to the group’s musical identity from their inception in 2016.

His journey showcased a unique blend of academic aptitude and artistic talent, leading him from prestigious educational institutions to the demanding world of K-pop stardom under SM Entertainment. Taeil contributed to numerous successful albums, tours, and accolades, including a coveted Daesang (Grand Prize) win, solidifying his and NCT 127’s place at the industry’s forefront.

Beyond group activities, he carved a niche as a sought-after vocalist for drama soundtracks and collaborations. However, this trajectory of success came to an abrupt and shocking halt in August 2024, when serious criminal allegations surfaced, leading to his immediate removal from NCT and the termination of his contract with SM Entertainment.

Taeil’s Biography

• Birth Name: Moon Tae-il
• Stage Name: Taeil (태일)
• Date of Birth: June 14, 1994
• Zodiac Sign: Gemini
• Nationality: Korean
• Unit: NCT U, NCT 127
• Instagram: @mo.on_air

Fun Facts

• In the early days of his debut, Taeil mentioned that while he could eat raw fish (hoe), he wasn’t a fan of sushi.
• Despite being the oldest member of NCT, Taeil is affectionately called “maknae-hyung” (a combination of “youngest” and “oldest”) by fans due to his youthful charm.
• He’s often spotted hanging out with Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan, earning the group fan nicknames like “Taeil Family” or “Moon Family.”
• Taeil is known for his easygoing personality, but also for being quite stubborn when it comes to things he wants.
• In October 2022, on KBS’s The Return of Superman (아이클라우드), it was revealed that the legendary singer Park Hyo-shin had been a judge during Taeil’s practical entrance exam for Hanyang University’s Applied Music program in 2013—a surprise that even Taeil didn’t know until Jungwoo shared it nearly 10 years later.
• Although the group later moved dorms, Taeil still uses a blanket from their previous home out of attachment, saying he doesn’t feel comfortable without it.

Career 

Pre-debut:

Taeil’s entry into SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment agencies, wasn’t straightforward. He was reportedly scouted by the agency around 2013, potentially discovered at a youth singing contest. Initially, Taeil chose to prioritize his university education and declined SM Entertainment’s offer. However, the agency recognized his potential and persisted. Representatives reportedly convinced him that joining SM would provide greater opportunities for his singing career, ultimately persuading him to forgo his spot at Hanyang University and become a trainee.

Prior to his debut with NCT, Taeil participated in various SM Entertainment projects during his time as a trainee. In particular, he participated in the opening performance of the SMTOWN WEEK concert in December 2013 and sang a song for EXO’s variety show “EXO 90:2014” in October 2014. Taeil started to appear alongside SM Rookies members in regular concerts since August 2015 and was announced as an official member of SM Rookies in October 2015. He also participated in an OST for “The Merchant: Gaekju 2015”.

Debut as NCT Member

Moon Taeil’s official entry into the K-pop scene was marked by his participation in the foundational stages of NCT (Neo Culture Technology), SM Entertainment’s ambitious project characterized by its concept of limitless members and diverse sub-units. He debuted as part of NCT’s first sub-unit, the rotational NCT U, on April 9, 2016. His debut single with this unit was “Without You,” a vocal-centric track showcasing his abilities alongside members Doyoung and Jaehyun. This immediately established him as a key vocalist within the larger NCT framework.  

Shortly thereafter, Taeil became a member of NCT 127, the group’s second, Seoul-based fixed sub-unit. NCT 127 debuted on July 7, 2016, with the release of their first EP, NCT#127, and its title track “Fire Truck”. His inclusion in both the initial rotational unit and the first fixed unit highlighted his importance to the group’s early identity and vocal lineup. He debuted in NCT 127 alongside Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, and Haechan.  

Within both NCT U (for the tracks he participated in) and NCT 127, Taeil held the crucial position of Main Vocalist. His voice became synonymous with the group’s powerful vocal performances, often delivering challenging high notes and emotionally resonant melodies. While recognized for his impressive range and signature high notes, his vocal versatility allowed him to adapt to NCT 127’s diverse and often experimental musical styles, ranging from intense hip-hop tracks to smooth R&B and ballads. His consistent presence provided a strong vocal anchor across NCT 127’s discography.  

Solo Ventures and Collaborations

While a dedicated member of NCT, Moon Taeil also cultivated a notable presence through individual musical activities, leveraging his recognized vocal talent outside the group’s primary discography.

Taeil became a frequent and valued contributor to Original Soundtracks (OSTs) for popular South Korean dramas, demonstrating his ability to convey emotion and enhance narrative through his singing. Even before his official NCT debut, he released “Because of You” for The Merchant: Gaekju 2015 in January 2016.  

His most prominent solo OST contribution was “Starlight,” released in February 2022 for the hit drama Twenty-Five, Twenty-One. The song achieved significant success, peaking at number 30 on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart (now Circle Chart) , surpassing one million unique listeners on the major domestic streaming platform Melon , and earning nominations for Best OST at the 8th APAN Star Awards and the 32nd Seoul Music Awards. This success solidified his reputation as an effective OST singer, reaching audiences beyond the established NCT fanbase.  

Other solo OSTs include “Lovey Dovey” for Love to Hate You (2023) , “Bandit” for the Netflix series Song of the Bandits (2023) , “Wave” for Captivating the King (2024) , and “Stay By My Side” for Missing Crown Prince (2024).  

He also lent his voice to OSTs as part of NCT U collaborations: “Stay in My Life” for School 2017 (with Taeyong and Doyoung) , “Radio Romance” for the drama of the same name (with Doyoung) , and “New Dream” for Dokgo Rewind (with Jaehyun).

Taeil demonstrated his versatility and willingness to collaborate through features on other artists’ tracks and participation in special agency-wide projects. He was featured on singer Sohlhee’s debut single “Purple” in 2019 and on Moon Su-jin’s single “The Moon” in 2021. He also collaborated with DJ and producer Raiden on the track “Love Right Back,” alongside rapper Lil Boi, in 2021, performing the song on music shows.  

His integration within the broader SM Entertainment artist family was evident through his participation in SM Station projects. This included the 2016 charity single “Sound of Your Heart” with artists like Yesung, Luna, Wendy, and Seulgi, and pianist Steve Barakatt. He was also part of the NCT U lineup (with Doyoung, Jaehyun, Haechan) for the 2019 SM Station X winter single “Coming Home”. Furthermore, he contributed to SMTOWN’s seasonal compilation albums, singing “Ordinary Day” with Onew (SHINee) and Kyuhyun (Super Junior) for the 2021 winter album, and “Happier” with Kangta, Yesung (Super Junior), Suho (EXO), and Renjun (NCT Dream) for the 2022 winter album.  

Taeil also participated in the NCT Lab project, an initiative allowing NCT members to release music outside their usual unit structures and explore different styles. He released two singles under this project: “Rain Day” in 2022, a collaboration with fellow NCT members Kun and Yangyang , and “N.Y.C.T” in 2023, a duet with NCT 127 bandmate Haechan. Notably, Taeil received co-writing credits for the lyrics of “N.Y.C.T” alongside Haechan, indicating a step towards greater creative involvement in his musical output.

Beyond collaborations and OSTs, Taeil sought opportunities for individual recognition. In 2019, he appeared on the popular MBC singing competition show King of Mask Singer, performing under the alias “King Card,” which allowed him to showcase his vocal talents anonymously to a wider audience. In March 2024, he released an official remake of the song “Weird” (묘해, 너와), originally performed by Acoustic Collabo for the Discovery of Love drama OST.  

Personal Life

Education and Early Promise

Taeil attended Seoul Science High School, an institution noted for its selectivity, reportedly accepting highly gifted students excelling in mathematics and science, often placing graduates in top international universities.

In 2013, he gained acceptance into the highly competitive Applied Music program at Hanyang University. This specific program had an exceptionally low acceptance rate, surpassing even prestigious law and medical programs in competitiveness that year, underscoring the high level of musical skill required for admission.

Taeil is known to have a younger sister, and some documentary-style content has offered glimpses into his early life, suggesting that he may have faced financial hardships growing up. According to these accounts, his family once lived in a sauna, and he took on part-time jobs to support his passion for singing.

Net Worth

A report from the South China Morning Post in September 2022, citing sources like Celeb Vogue and Korean Mag, placed Taeil’s estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million.

Controversies and Incidents

Motorcycle Accident

On August 15, 2023, Taeil was involved in a motorcycle accident, resulting in a fractured right thigh. He underwent surgery and was advised to take a break for rehabilitation, leading to a temporary suspension of his activities.

According to SM Entertainment’s official statement: “Due to the injury, Taeil was unable to participate in NCT’s group concert NCT NATION: To The World held in August 2023. He also missed subsequent promotions for the albums Fact Check, Be There For Me, and WALK, as well as NCT 127’s third tour NEO CITY – THE UNITY.”

Criminal Case Related To Sexual Crimes

On August 28, 2024, SM Entertainment issued a sudden and shocking statement confirming that Taeil was implicated in a “criminal case related to sexual crimes”. Initially unspecified, subsequent reports and legal proceedings revealed the specific charge to be aggravated quasi-rape under South Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in June 2024. Taeil and two non-celebrity acquaintances are accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was intoxicated and unable to resist.

Timeline of Investigation and Legal Proceedings:

• June 2024: The alleged sexual assault occurs. A report is filed by the victim with the Seoul Bangbae Police Station. Taeil is reportedly booked by police on June 13.
• June 14, 2024 (?): Reports surfaced later suggesting Taeil conducted an Instagram live stream the day after being booked, interacting with fans seemingly normally.
• Post-June Report: Police investigate and apply for arrest warrants for Taeil and his two acquaintances. The court denies these warrants, reportedly because the suspects admitted to the sexual act (though not necessarily the assault aspect) and were deemed a low flight risk. This denial pertains to pre-trial detention and does not impact the severity of the charge itself.  
• Mid-August 2024: SM Entertainment stated they were first notified of the police investigation around this time. This gap between the June report and the mid-August notification became a point of public discussion.
• August 28, 2024: Taeil is summoned by police for questioning. On the same day, SM Entertainment releases its public statement announcing Taeil’s immediate removal from NCT due to the serious nature of the allegations.
• September 12/13, 2024: The Seoul Bangbae Police Station forwards the case with a recommendation for indictment to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office.
• Post-September Transfer: Reports indicated Taeil missed an initial summons from the prosecution, citing health reasons and submitting medical documentation and a statement from his lawyer.
• October 16, 2024: SM Entertainment formally announces the termination of Taeil’s exclusive contract, effective October 15. The termination was described as a mutual agreement based on the criminal investigation constituting grounds for termination and making it impossible to maintain trust.
• February 28, 2025: Prosecutors indict Taeil and his two alleged accomplices without physical detention on charges of aggravated quasi-rape. This development was publicly reported around March 4/5, 2025.
• May 12, 2025 (KST): The first court hearing for the case is scheduled at the Seoul Central District Court.

SM Entertainment’s response was swift and decisive following their stated awareness of the investigation. Their public statements emphasized the gravity of the situation, leading to the immediate decision for Taeil’s removal from NCT and the subsequent termination of his contract due to a complete loss of trust. The agency confirmed Taeil’s cooperation with the police investigation.  

The consequences within the group were immediate. NCT 127 was confirmed to continue activities as an eight-member group. Reports indicated Taeil’s image and content were being removed or obscured from online platforms and physical displays. Significantly, fellow NCT members publicly distanced themselves by unfollowing him on social media platforms like Instagram shortly after the news broke.