Content Warning: The following article contains mentions of sexual violence that may be disturbing. Reader’s discretion is advised.
After months of waiting, the public finally has an answer to the fate of former NCT (엔시티) member Taeil (문태일), who is accused of aggravated rape. Following his court hearing today (18th June 2025, Wednesday), the disgraced singer now faces 7 years in jail.
For those unfamiliar with the case, in August 2024, news outlets reported that Taeil, whose real name is Moon Taeil, was accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated foreign woman. Following the news, SM Entertainment announced the termination of Taeil’s contract and his subsequent departure from NCT and the label. In February 2025, the singer and two accomplices were indicted on charges of aggravated rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
On 18th June, the Seoul Central District Court held the first trial against the three defendants. The trial also marks Taeil’s first appearance in 10 months since the allegations surfaced. During the trial, the prosecution revealed details about the crime, including that the victim was a Chinese national who had no prior connections to the three defendants.
According to the report, the crime happened on 13th June 2024. Taeil and the other defendants met the victim at a bar in Itaewon at around 2.30am. The group drank together before the defendants forced the victim into a taxi to one of their residences in Seoul. There, the three defendants collectively raped the victim while she was unconscious. The prosecution also asserted that the rape was not spontaneous, as the defendants had planned to commit the crime.
After the prosecution shared these accusations, all three defendants pleaded guilty to the aggravated rape. The prosecution has demanded a seven-year jail sentence for each perpetrator. However, Taeil and his legal counsel asked for leniency from the court, citing an agreement with the victim. The legal counsel said the former idol even received a letter from the victim stating she didn’t want further punishment levied.
The court has set the sentencing date for 10th July 2025 (Thursday). Whatever the sentence is, we hope it’s appropriate to the perpetrators’ crime.
