On October 17, 2025, the Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal of former NCT member Moon Ta-eil, known in K-pop simply as Taeil, confirming a sentence of 3 years and 6 months due to his involvement in a quasi-rape case. The former K-pop idol, along with two other men, was charged under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and imposed a five-year employment restriction in sectors related to children and adolescents.
The court has dismmised Taeil's appeal, and was given a 3 years and 6 months prison sentence for the quasi-rape.
He will need to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. pic.twitter.com/jAtTnLZCY9
— About Music (@AboutMusicYT) October 17, 2025
The verdict upholds the sentence given during the first trial, which Taeil’s defense had appealed to reduce, citing an agreement reached with the victim and submitting a letter of apology on October 13th. Despite this, the court rejected the appeal, and Taeil was arrested in court after being on trial without detention. Taeil’s apology said:
The charges date back to a June 2024 crime, in which Taeil and two male acquaintances sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman. Taeil participated in live broadcasts and music events even after being booked, with his agency (SM Entertaiment) reportedly learning about the case months later. Following the public reveal of the crime, SM Entertaiment terminated his contract and confirmed his removal from NCT. Debuting in 2016 with NCT U and later joining NCT 127, Taeil’s career had spanned nearly a decade before he ended it by committing sexual abuse.
