On June 18, the first trial for former NCT member Taeil, charged with special quasi-rape under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act alongside co-defendants Lee and Hong, took place at the Seoul Central District Court.
The three are accused of meeting a foreign woman at a bar in Itaewon on June 13, 2024, drinking with her, then taking her to their residence in Bangbae-dong, where they allegedly gang-raped her while she was unconscious from intoxication. Prosecutors are seeking a seven-year prison sentence, citing text messages sent during the incident such as, “Take a taxi and get her out. Make it look like it happened somewhere else.”
Prosecutors described the case as an extremely serious assault targeting a foreign tourist and criticized the defendants for attempting to cover up the crime and evade police. They also questioned the sincerity of a “surrender” letter submitted only after police identified the suspects two months later.
Taeil’s defense claimed he had expressed remorse, that the victim had accepted his apology and requested leniency, and that he had completed sexual offense prevention education and counseling. They also cited personal hardships, including his mother’s job loss and his current unemployment.
Taeil bowed in court and said, “I am sorry to everyone who feels disappointed. If granted leniency, I will treat it as my last chance to live responsibly.”
He was indicted without detention in March 2025. SM Entertainment terminated his contract and removed him from NCT, and the other members unfollowed him on social media.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2025, at 2 p.m.
Leave a Reply