Moon Tae-il, the former NCT 127 singer known professionally as Taeil, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for his involvement in the gang rape of an intoxicated Chinese tourist in Seoul. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, July 10, with the 31-year-old immediately taken into custody alongside two accomplices, identified only as Lee and Hong, who received identical sentences.
The case stems from a June 2024 incident in Seoul’s Itaewon district, where Taeil and his accomplices met the victim at a bar. According to court documents, the woman became heavily intoxicated while drinking with the men before they transported her via taxi to Lee’s residence. There, all three defendants sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Prosecutors had sought seven-year prison terms for each defendant, but the judge reduced the sentences, citing their lack of prior criminal records while still characterizing the crime as “exceptionally severe.” The court additionally ordered all three men to complete 40 hours of sexual violence rehabilitation programs.
Under South Korean law, the charges carried enhanced penalties as the crime met two aggravating factors: being classified as “aggravated rape” due to multiple perpetrators and “quasi rape” because the victim was incapacitated and unable to resist. All three defendants had pleaded guilty to the charges in June 2025.
Taeil’s career trajectory came to an abrupt halt following the allegations. He had been a foundational member of SM Entertainment’s NCT project, debuting in 2016 with NCT U before joining the permanent subunit NCT 127. The group gained international recognition for their experimental musical style and multiple Billboard chart entries. His departure from NCT in August 2024 coincided with the initial emergence of the allegations, though specific details remained undisclosed at the time. SM Entertainment subsequently terminated his contract.
The sentencing marks one of the highest-profile convictions in South Korea’s entertainment industry since the 2019 Burning Sun scandal, reigniting discussions about accountability and the prevalence of sexual violence in nightlife districts frequented by celebrities. Women’s rights organizations have criticized the reduced sentences, arguing they fail to reflect the severity of the crime. Legal experts note the case may influence how future sexual assault cases involving public figures are prosecuted, particularly those occurring in entertainment-heavy areas like Itaewon.
Neither SM Entertainment nor NCT’s management has issued additional statements following the verdict. The victim’s current condition and whereabouts remain undisclosed due to privacy protections under South Korean law.
Hye Rin Choi is a writer and entrepreneur from Seoul, South Korea. She breathes Korean culture and history. She’s passionate and committed to helping people learn more about her fascinating country.