Former NCT’s Taeil Taken Into Custody After Jail Sentence
Former NCT member Taeil has been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. He was taken into custody on July 10, 2025.
On July 10, 2025, he attended a ruling where he was immediately taken into custody following the court’s ruling. The 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the first trial sentencing hearing for Taeil and two others. On that day, the court sentenced all three defendants, including Taeil, to three years and six months in prison each. Additionally, the court requested that they complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program, have their personal information publicly disclosed, and be barred from working in child- and youth-related institutions for five years.
Taeil, who had been on trial while out of custody, was taken into custody immediately following the first trial sentence. The court explained, “Since a prison sentence is being imposed, we judge there is a risk of flight and have issued an arrest warrant.”
Taeil had previously admitted to charges of rape stemming from a 2024 incident in which Taeil and two acquaintances met a foreign woman at a bar in Itaewon, Seoul, and later took her to a private residence in Bangbae-dong while she was intoxicated. There, the group committed non-consensual acts while the victim was unconscious.
Despite Taeil’s apology, settlement with the victim, and plea for leniency, the court ruled that the crime was too serious to avoid jail time. Prosecutors had initially requested a 7-year sentence, citing premeditated intent and attempts to cover up the incident.
SM Entertainment terminated his exclusive contract in October 2024, stating that trust with the artist could no longer be maintained. The sentence confirms Taeil’s legal responsibility and marks a definitive fall from grace.
