SM Entertainment terminated its contract with NCT member Taeil after he was indicted for sex assault, the agency said Wednesday.

"Our contract with Taeil was terminated as of Oct. 15, 2024," the agency said in a press release.


"Taeil is now under investigation for a crime, which is cause for contract termination because our trust in him as an artist has been severely damaged. The termination came as the result of a mutual agreement."

"We apologize once again for having concerned everyone with Taeil, who used to be our artist," the agency added.

Moon, the 30-year-old former NCT member, whose real name is Moon Tae-il, was reported for special quasi-rape to the police, according to a news report. The victim was a drunk woman, the report said.

Special quasi-rape is when two or more people collectively assault a victim, or a person sexually assaults another while carrying a weapon, making the victim unable to defend themselves.

Should Moon be found guilty, he could be sentenced to more than seven years, or life.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]