Former K-Pop is accused of collective rape and can be sentenced to seven years in prison

Former K-Pop Group member NCT, Moon Taeil, 29, may be sentenced to seven years in prison for involvement in a collective rape case in June 2024. The penalty was requested by the prosecution during the singer’s first trial, held on Tuesday (18) by the 26th Criminal Division (D) of the Central District Court of Seoul, South Korea.

Taeil admitted all accusations during the hearing. Although his defense has requested mercy alleging collaboration with investigations and an agreement signed with the victim, prosecutors rejected the attempt to mitigate the severity of the crime.

According to the prosecution, Taeil and two friends found a foreign woman (nationality was not revealed) in a bar in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul. After consuming alcohol with the victim, she was taken unconscious to the house of one of those involved, where the three committed the act of sexual violence.

During the trial, the prosecution stated that the crime was premeditated and that there was an attempt to conceal evidence.

“They referred to the fact that the victim was a foreigner and asked the location of the taxi to be registered elsewhere to make tracking difficult,” said the prosecutor. The prosecution also rejected the argument that the crime was accidental, classifying it as “extremely serious.”

Taeil was reported to the police days after the crime and gave his first statement in late August. Despite the severity of the accusations, the pre -trial detention was denied, based on the collaboration of the defendants.

The repercussion of the case generated pressure on the SM Entertainment agency, which announced Taeil’s expulsion from NCT in October. He had been part of the group since 2016.

In February 2025, the singer was formally indicted for collective rape, based on the South Korea Sexual Crime Punishment Law.