In a jaw-dropping development, former NCT member Taeil was sentenced to prison for a crime that has horrified fans worldwide. The shocking details of the case have sparked explosive public outrage—this is one K-pop scandal you simply can’t ignore.
On July 10, the Seoul Central District Court handed down a 3 years and 6 months prison sentence to Taeil and two other defendants. The court mandated 40 hours of sexual violence education, sex offender registration, and a five-year ban from working in child- or youth-related professions. Korea Times 2025
The victim, a Chinese tourist, met the trio at a club in Itaewon around 2:30 AM. They lured her into a taxi and brought her to a villa in Bangbae-dong. There, while she was unconscious from alcohol, the three men took turns raping her. CCTV footage and chat logs show chilling premeditation.
The group chat exposed that the men knew she was a foreign tourist and even plotted to mislead investigators by changing the taxi drop-off location. This deeply disturbed the court and public alike.
Online forums exploded with outrage. Users called for Taeil to be punished under Chinese law, with some even demanding castration. Many compared the scandal to the infamous Burning Sun case.
The contrast between Taeil’s public persona and the gruesome crime he committed stunned fans. Many noted how he calmly livestreamed the next day, heightening the sense of betrayal.
Netizens doubt this was a one-off. The coordinated planning and psychological detachment suggest this may not have been their first time committing such acts.
Thanks to quick police work, the suspects were arrested within two months. Evidence collection involved CCTV, digital forensics, and search and seizure—leading to a powerful legal blow.
Many Koreans are urging lawmakers to introduce tougher laws for sex crimes, especially involving public figures. “Send them to China” became a recurring phrase on forums.
This scandal may redefine public trust in the idol industry. The entertainment world is now being forced to confront its unchecked power structure and toxic masculinity.
Agencies may face massive pressure to reform their training systems, ethics education, and background checks. Korea Herald 2025
The internet is still reeling from the fact that Taeil committed such an atrocious act—and went live the next day as if nothing had happened. It’s not just a scandal. It’s a reality check for K-pop.
Key Details | Information |
---|---|
Crime Date | June 13, 2024 |
Sentencing Date | July 10, 2025 |
Sentence | 3.5 years prison + sex offender registration |
Location | Itaewon & Bangbae-dong, Seoul |
Q1. Who is Taeil?
A. A former member of NCT now convicted of rape and sentenced to prison in South Korea.
Q2. What happened in Itaewon?
A. Taeil and two friends allegedly drugged and raped a foreign tourist after meeting her at a nightclub.
Q3. How long is the sentence?
A. 3 years and 6 months with mandatory education and restrictions.
Q4. What are netizens saying?
A. The reaction has been explosive—many are calling it worse than Burning Sun.
Q5. Will this hurt NCT?
A. While he’s no longer in the group, the scandal is deeply damaging to the brand.
“This isn’t just about one man—it’s about the entire structure of idol culture and unchecked privilege.” — Dr. Ha Jin-wook, Criminal Psychologist