KUALA LUMPUR: K-pop singer and member of NCT, Taeil has been removed from the music group following allegations of an unspecified sexual abuse.
The South Korean band's agency, SM Entertainment, recently uploaded a statement to X and announced that the 30-year-old idol had been "accused in a criminal case in relation to a sexual crime."
According to Variety, a spokesperson for the agency said that, "While assessing the facts related to this matter, we recognised the severity of the issue and determined that he can no longer continue team activities. After discussing with Taeil, it's been decided that he will withdraw from the team."
The company apologised for the controversy caused by its artiste and added that Taeil was "fully cooperating" with an ongoing police investigation.
NCT is the original collective by SM Entertainment whose members are also grouped into smaller ensembles dubbed sub-units.
The sub-units include NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U and more.
Taeil was part of the parent NCT unit and the NCT 127 sub-unit.
Variety added that SM Entertainment was forced to address another widely publicised scandal regarding NCT members Johnny and Haechan, as well as Heechul of the group Super Junior, earlier this year.