Recently, a video of Taeil hosting an Instagram Live broadcast on June 14 spread in online communities. Taeil was reportedly stopped by the police the day before, on June 13, after the victim filed a complaint.
In the video, Taeil appeared with some energy while interacting with fans. He said, “Thank you so much to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. Thanks to you I was able to have a happy birthday.”
The YouTube channel where the video was uploaded is now flooded with comments from fans expressing feelings of betrayal:
- The light in his eyes has completely disappeared.
- I wasted 6 years of my life liking it.
- You’re really scary and creepy. How could you do this to your fans?
- Your eyes are completely different from the Taeil I knew.
- Never show yourself in front of other members again.
- There is no life left in his eyes.
- You should be punished.
- How could you do this after committing such a crime?
- Special rape? What kind of person are you?
On October 7, Chosun Ilbo reported that Taeil had been investigated by the Seoul Bangbae Police Station for special rape charges and was handed over to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office last month.
The special rape charge applies when someone commits sexual acts with an incapacitated person, either while possessing a weapon or with 2 or more people involved. If the accusation is proven, the punishment is at least 7 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment, according to Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Law on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Offenses.
It was reported that Taeil was accused in June of sexually assaulting a drunken woman along with 2 non-celebrities.
In response, NCT’s agency SM Entertainment released an official statement following Taeil’s police interrogation, “We have confirmed that Taeil has been arraigned in a criminal case relating to a sexual offence. Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, we determined that he could no longer continue team activities and, after discussions with Taeil, we have decided on his departure from the team.”
Source: Nate
