Korean Vocalist Moon Taeil Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Rape: All About The Case
Last Updated:
Prosecutors demanded a seven-year prison sentence for each of the accused.
Former NCT member Moon Tae-il, popularly known as Taeil, has pleaded guilty to charges of 'aggravated' rape. During the first trial on June 18, the K-pop star and two other accused admitted to the crime.
Prosecutors in the case have demanded a seven-year prison sentence for each of the accused.
Here's a complete timeline of the events leading up to Taeil's indictment and the ongoing investigation.
August 28, 2024 | SM Entertainment announced that Taeil had been embroiled in a criminal case involving sexual crimes, shocking fans. It also confirmed his exclusion from all NCT activities, effective immediately.
In a statement, the agency said, 'We have recently confirmed that Taeil has been implicated in a criminal case related to sexual crimes. While looking into the situation, we recognized that the issue is very serious, and we have decided that Taeil could no longer continue team activities. We have discussed this matter with Taeil and it has been decided he will be removed from the group."
SM엔터테인먼트입니다. pic.twitter.com/28XapiFuOk — SMTOWN (@SMTOWNGLOBAL) August 28, 2024
He joined NCT in 2016 when the boy band made its debut. He was the band's main vocalist. Following the revelation of his involvement in the case, Taeil made his Instagram account private in September.
October 7, 2024 | A new wave of outrage erupted when Chosun Ilbo reported that the K-pop star was being probed for aggravated rape, a charge known in South Korea as a special quasi-rape. According to the reports, Taeil and two non-celebrity individuals raped an intoxicated female, who was apparently a foreigner, after meeting her at a bar.
February 28, 2025, | As per the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Taeil and his two accomplices were officially charged with aggravated rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The prosecution said the trio sexually assaulted the woman of foreign descent in June 2024.
June 18, 2025, | The first trial took place on June 18, 2025, over a year after the tragedy occurred. Legal records revealed incriminating details about the night. Taeil and the victim met in a bar in Itaewon at approximately 2:33 a.m. on June 13, 2024. Taeil and his two companions forced the woman into a taxi, which eventually arrived at one of the defendant's homes in Seoul's Bangbae neighbourhood. The trio then sexually assaulted the unconscious and heavily drunk victim between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m.
Prosecutors claimed that the crime was a pre-planned one. Text messages were obtained in which they discussed a certain foreign woman. Later, they even discussed changing the GPS settings in the taxi to conceal the crime's location. It took police nearly two months to investigate the CCTV evidence and track the defendants.
In court, his legal team pleaded for leniency: 'Taeil submitted a statement of self-surrender to the police. He also went through the difficult process of reaching an agreement with the victim, who is Chinese, and even received a letter from the victim stating she did not want further punishment levied." No official verdict has been given by the court as yet.
First Published:
June 18, 2025, 18:29 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Former THE BOYZ member Ju Haknyeon denies prostitution claims after hotel meeting with pornstar Kirara Asuka sparks scandal
K-pop idol Ju Haknyeon has issued an emotional apology to fans after a scandal involving his meeting with former Japanese adult film star Kirara Asuka. His statement comes hours after he was officially kicked out of his group, THE BOYZ. Speaking directly to his supporters, he acknowledged being present at a Tokyo hotel on May 30 but firmly denied involvement in prostitution or any illegal activity. He expressed regret for the distress caused and emphasised that he never intended to break the trust fans placed in him. Ju Haknyeon apologises over Kirara Asuka controversy after THE BOYZ departure Ju Haknyeon has finally broken his silence. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram after days of speculation and media firestorms, the former THE BOYZ member said he was sorry for letting fans down. As translated by Koreaboo, you can read his letter below: "On May 30, 2025, I had been present at a gathering with alcohol involved around dawn, along with my acquaintances. It was true that I was there, but it is totally untrue that I participated in either illegal actions or prostitution as suggested by articles and rumours. I am deeply reflecting over my actions and want to offer my sincerest apologies to those who were shocked." Hello, this is Ju Haknyeon. First of all, I apologize to all the fans who were shocked by the article about me. I am also deeply sorry for causing any inconvenience due to the unfortunate incident. On May 30, 2025, I was with someone at a hotel, and while I was indeed there,+ One Hundred terminates Ju Haknyeon's contract For fans, the shock wasn't just about the rumours; it was about how fast everything unravelled. Just days after the photos surfaced, Haknyeon's label, One Hundred, announced that he would be taking a hiatus. But soon, it became clear that this was no short break. On June 18, the agency confirmed that Haknyeon was officially out of THE BOYZ. His contract was terminated. "We recently took action to suspend Ju Haknyeon's activities as soon as we were informed that he was involved in a controversial incident in order to take time to thoroughly investigate and verify the facts. As a result of our investigation, we have recognised the severity of the issue and have taken it seriously. We have realised that it has become difficult to maintain our trust in him as an artist. Due to this, after sufficient discussions with the members of THE BOYZ, we have decided that Ju Haknyeon will be withdrawing from the group and that his exclusive contract will be terminated. We kindly ask for your understanding that this decision was an inevitable decision made to protect the members of THE BOYZ and the group as a whole. We are informing you that as of today, Ju Haknyeon will no longer be part of THE BOYZ and will cease all activities with the group." Kirara Asuka and a trail of rumours This isn't Kirara Asuka's first brush with controversy. Before this, she was rumoured to be involved with a J-pop idol and accused of cheating on her boyfriend, Japanese YouTuber Ryu Hirokawa. The gossip surrounding her and Haknyeon only added fuel to an already burning fire. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Pink Villa
4 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Why is Weak Hero Class 1 actor Shin Seung Ho exempted from military service? Agency reveals
Shin Seung Ho, the skilled South Korean actor, has revealed a previously unknown injury, thereby also confirming his exemption from military service. As all able-bodied men need to enlist for national duty after the age of 18, Shin Seung Ho's military hiatus was an expected happening for the fans. However, a new report by TenAsia on June 18 revealed how the actor has been exempted from service. His agency confirmed an ACL as the cause behind his change in military plans. KINGKONG by Starship's response to Shin Seung Ho's military exemption According to another update from Sports Chosun revealed why Shin Seung Ho has not announced his military enlistment despite turning 30 this year. They shared, 'Shin Seung Ho underwent surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament or an ACL while performing personal schedules in 2021, and was subsequently exempted from military service.' The initial report claimed that while the injury happened in the middle of a drama production schedule, Shin Seung Ho was able to wrap his filming successfully due to the kind consideration of the staff members on set. He is said to have undergone surgery to repair his ACL, and took the physical exam determining his military grade. As a result of the examination, he was deemed unfit for active service and was granted an exception, exempting him from it. The K-dramas in question could have been D.P., which shot him to fame or Alchemy of Souls, which remains one of Shin Seung Ho's most talked about roles so far alongside Weak Hero Class 1. The shows released in 2021 and 2022, respectively, match the alleged timeline of events. Meanwhile, born on November 11, 1995, the actor was planning a career in football, which is said to have passed without any major injuries. He then moved to modeling with his 6'1' frame, gaining praise. When he finally moved to acting in 2018, Shin Seung Ho earned the long-overdue flowers for his work.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Before The Boyz's Ju Haknyeon, Kirara Asuka was linked to another idol — accused of cheating on boyfriend Ryu Hirokawa
After THE BOYZ's Ju Haknyeon was officially removed from the group following a late-night rendezvous with retired Japanese pornstar Kirara Asuka, the internet hasn't stopped talking. What began as a tabloid scoop from Tokyo quickly turned into a major point of discussion among fans, with new information surfacing online. Ju's agency, One Hundred Label, terminated his contract, citing the seriousness of the incident, and many fans began questioning Asuka's involvement. But this isn't the first time her name has been linked to a male idol. An earlier controversy has now come back into focus. Kirara Asuka and Hey! Say! JUMP's Inoo Kei's forgotten scandal resurfaces Before Ju Haknyeon, there was Inoo Kei. A past report from Japanese media outlet Shukan Josei, now getting renewed attention, linked Asuka to Hey! Say! JUMP's Inoo Kei nearly a decade ago. The two were reportedly seen together in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Eyewitnesses claimed they looked like a couple and were spotted getting cosy in the jacuzzi. At the time, Johnny & Associates quickly issued a statement saying they had only met once at a friend's dinner party and their meeting in Singapore was purely coincidental. Asuka's agency echoed the same, while she remained silent. Fans had their doubts then, and with the latest scandal, those doubts have resurfaced. What about her boyfriend? Questions around YouTuber Ryu Hirokawa Many also remember Asuka's more recent relationship with Japanese YouTuber Ryu Hirokawa, also known as Hilock. The pair went public in 2024 after appearing together at a cosplay fashion event in Osaka. They dressed as characters from the anime Fairy Musketeers Little Red Riding Hood, fulfilling Ryu's dream of walking the runway. Ryu, who revealed his intellectual disability in 2021, received support for his openness and growing influence on social media. But now, people are wondering if they had broken up before Asuka's meeting with Ju Haknyeon. Since no official breakup was ever announced, fans are left to connect the dots. More about Ju Haknyeon's controversy Ju Haknyeon's scandal began making waves after he was reportedly seen spending a late night out with retired Japanese adult film actress Kirara Asuka in Tokyo's Roppongi district on May 29, 2025. According to witnesses, the two appeared quite close, sharing drinks, laughing, and even cosying up to each other at the bar. Photos from the night showed Asuka resting her chin on Ju's shoulder, which only added fuel to the fire. As speculation grew, his agency acted quickly, first announcing a hiatus and then officially terminating his contract on June 18, citing the seriousness of the situation and broken trust within the group. While Ju Haknyeon's departure from THE BOYZ has made headlines, Kirara Asuka has yet to comment on the scandal. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
