NCT Member Taeil Removed from Group After Being Implicated in Unspecified 'Sexual Crime'

The boy band's label, SM Entertainment, announced the news on Wednesday, Aug. 28

K-pop boy band NCT is parting ways with Taeil after the singer was accused of a “sexual crime.”

The group’s label, SM Entertainment, announced the news in an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

According to the Associated Press’ English translation of the statement, which was originally posted in Korean, the 30-year-old musician is no longer part of the group.

The statement, which has been viewed over 88 million times, states that Taeil’s departure comes after SM Entertainment learned that he has been “accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime,” per the AP’s translation.

The label did identify what specific crime the former NCT member has been accused of.

“We recognized the seriousness of the issue, and we have decided that Taeil can no longer continue team activities,” the statement continued. “We have discussed this matter with Taeil, and it has been decided that he will leave the group.”

SM Entertainment also noted that the vocalist is cooperating with a police investigation, the AP said. The outlet also reported that a criminal case regarding Taeil and a “sexual crime” could not be independently verified, and stated that authorities declined to comment on the matter.

A rep for NCT did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Taeil was an original member of NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, which was founded in 2016. He was also part of one of its sub-groups, NCT 127.

As reported by Billboard, the news of Taeil’s unidentified crime and departure from the group comes after two other members of NCT 127, Johnny and Haechan, were accused of being involved in a sex scandal earlier this summer, which SM Entertainment has denied.

At the time, the label also threatened legal action against online users posting about the accusations, the outlet reported.

“We have already gathered sufficient evidence regarding numerous posts related to these matters,” the label said in a statement at the time, adding that “we will not overlook such criminal acts and will take legal action against those involved without leniency or settlement, regardless of their nationality.”

News of Taeil’s departure also comes after his activity in the boy band has been limited — including sitting out of NCT 127’s Neo City – The Unity Tour that began in November — after suffering injuries in a serious motorcycle accident last August, according to Billboard.

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