According to legal sources on March 4th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Women and Children’s Crime Investigation Division 1 formally charged Moon Tae-il (Former NCT Member) and two others on February 28 under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. They stand accused of assaulting an intoxicated woman in June last year.

When news broke that police had applied the charge of aggravated quasi-rape, speculation arose regarding the use of a weapon during the crime. However, authorities later confirmed that no weapons were involved. This charge is applicable when an offense is committed by two or more individuals against an unconscious or defenseless victim or if a weapon is used in the process.

The Seoul Bangbae Police Station, which received the victim’s report in June last year, sought arrest warrants for all three suspects. However, the court rejected the request, reasoning that the suspects had admitted to the crime and did not require detention. The police then summoned Moon Tae-il for questioning in August, two months after the initial report, and referred the case to the prosecution in September.

While the suspects have denied any premeditation, the other two accomplices complied with the prosecution’s investigation, whereas Tae-il refused to appear, citing health concerns. Instead, he submitted a medical certificate along with a statement from his attorney.

As the case proceeds to trial, the public remains focused on the legal outcomes and potential consequences for Taeil and his co-defendants, while discussions continue about accountability and justice in the entertainment industry.

In August 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Taeil would no longer be a member of NCT due to an unspecified sex crime. By October, SM Entertainment officially terminated Taeil’s contract, prompting scrutiny from former fans who questioned the company’s handling of the situation.