SM Entertainment Under Fire For Allegedly Exposing NCT Taeil’s Motorcycle Injury In Now-Deleted Teaser Image

Fans are angered over SM Entertainment‘s actions regarding NCT Taeil‘s motorcycle injury, including allegedly making him work while recovering.

In early August, SM Entertainment shared that Taeil would take a hiatus after a car accident occured while riding his motorcycle home.  The posting shared that Taeil received a fracture in his right thigh and would undergo surgery to correct it.

NCT’s Taeil To Suspend Activities Due To Injury From Motorcycle Accident

Many fans initially blamed SM Entertainment for the accident occurring, especially after NCT’s Chenle revealed more details left out in the notice the company shared.

230816 chenle weibo live

chenle talked about regarding taeil's accident. he said after taeil recovered his consciousness, he was in a bright mood & condition.

but- the most important things that, taeil follow all the traffic rules & didn't break the regulations at all. pic.twitter.com/jnjLkfG3ta

— ☾ (@taeil_zip) August 16, 2023

A few days after the accident, Taeil updated fans, apologizing for making them worry, and confirmed that his surgery went well. He expressed some regret over missing the NCT Nation performances but assured everyone he was doing well with treatment.

I made it out of the surgery fine. And I’m doing great with treatment, too, so I’m well on my way to full recovery. I’ll get well soon so don’t worry!

— Taeil

Now, fans have been angered over the actions of the company again.

NCT 127 is preparing for a comeback, and over the last few weeks, teasers and promotions featuring the members have been shared. While some have had Taeil in them, many were likely shot after his accident, so he could not participate.

불가사의(Mystery) in Seoul #TAEIL

【Fact Check – The 5th Album】
➫ 2023.10.06 1PM (KST)

💿Pre-save&addhttps://t.co/FGkcm3BrMz#NCT127 #FactCheck #不可思議#NCT127_FactCheck#NCT127_FactCheck_불가사의#FactCheck_불가사의_不可思議 pic.twitter.com/iAKqX0nlfs

— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) September 14, 2023

✅ #FactCheck ‼️

✔️Fact Checkmate EP.1
➫ https://t.co/H26MvjSJtM
✔️Fact Checkmate EP.2
➫ https://t.co/JNaq6y2mrZ#NCT127 #FactCheck #不可思議#NCT127_FactCheck#NCT127_FactCheck_불가사의#FactCheck_불가사의_不可思議 pic.twitter.com/jvxyDwZxCK

— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) September 28, 2023

On October 3, KST, SM Entertainment shared the first version of teasers from the “Fact Check” MV, exciting fans with the individual images of each member.

‘Fact Check’ MV Image Teaser #1
#DOYOUNG

【Fact Check – The 5th Album】
➫ 2023.10.06 1PM (KST)

✅NCT 127 Invites you to The 5th Albumhttps://t.co/MNio1DQNQp

💿Pre-order&savehttps://t.co/FGkcm3BZC7#NCT127 #FactCheck #不可思議#NCT127_FactCheck#NCT127_FactCheck_불가사의… pic.twitter.com/odUviX6xo5

— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) October 2, 2023

‘Fact Check’ MV Image Teaser #1
#JOHNNY

【Fact Check – The 5th Album】
➫ 2023.10.06 1PM (KST)

✅NCT 127 Invites you to The 5th Albumhttps://t.co/MNio1DQNQp

💿Pre-order&savehttps://t.co/FGkcm3BZC7#NCT127 #FactCheck #不可思議#NCT127_FactCheck#NCT127_FactCheck_불가사의… pic.twitter.com/fzOftxjftz

— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) October 2, 2023

Fans were pleasantly surprised that a set featuring Taeil was shared but reuploaded just moments later. This surprise turned to rage after discovering the reason behind the reposting — what appeared to be Taeil’s leg injury.

‘Fact Check’ MV Image Teaser #1
#TAEIL

【Fact Check – The 5th Album】
➫ 2023.10.06 1PM (KST)

✅NCT 127 Invites you to The 5th Albumhttps://t.co/MNio1DQNQp

💿Pre-order&savehttps://t.co/FGkcm3BZC7#NCT127 #FactCheck #不可思議#NCT127_FactCheck#NCT127_FactCheck_불가사의… pic.twitter.com/OAg3RrlVM7

— NCT 127 (@NCTsmtown_127) October 2, 2023

In the bottom left of the original photo, healing cuts can be seen in addition to the yellowing that happens to bruises as they heal. The re-uploaded photo was cropped accordingly to no longer show his leg.

Fans were angered over what they called SM Entertainment’s unprofessional behavior. They were also upset because Taeil worked so soon after his injury and surgery.

Making taeil clock into work and do photoshoots with such an injury??? @SMTOWNGLOBAL YOU ARE SICKKK

— full☀️ (@nctuhaechan) October 2, 2023

you guys need to explain not only why you had taeil there but also why you would think posting a picture with his leg injury is okay? and then when you realised it wasn't received well y'all decided to delete it ??? @NCTsmtown_127 @SMTOWNGLOBAL

— fiz ☽ (@sugaringjjong) October 2, 2023

they shot this batch of teasers real soon after the injury hence why all of taeil's shots are super close up but the raises the question of how ready was he physically for a day of shooting pic.twitter.com/pO0ki0tpqx

— kevin.com 🔋 (@computercart) October 2, 2023

SM Entertainment has not released any statement about the deleted photo.

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