Update, on July 10, 2025:
Moon Taeil, former member of K-pop unit NCT, has been sentenced to prison for rape.
As The Korea Herald reports, Taeil and two others, identified by their surnames, Hong and Lee, were each found guilty of “special quasi-rape” by the Seoul Central District Court on July 10, 2025, and sentenced to three years and six months in prison. The trio had previously admitted to the charges in June, with prosecutors initially seeking a seven-year sentence for each.
As noted by Korea JoongAng Daily, Taeil and his two co-defendants received a reduced sentence, as they were first-time offenders and had been shown leniency by the survivor.
In its ruling, the court reportedly said: “The crime is of grave nature, as the defendants sexually assaulted the victim at the defendant Lee’s house by exploiting the fact that she was under the influence and incapable of resistance. We can only assume that the victim, who is a female foreigner, is deeply traumatized. However, considering that the defendants are first-time offenders, have acknowledged their crimes, and have reached a settlement with the victim, who does not wish for punishment, the defendants are granted leniency with a weaker sentence.”
Following the sentencing, Taeil and the other two men were immediately taken into custody. Each of them was also reportedly ordered to carry out a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program.
Previously, on June 18, 2025:
Moon Taeil, former member of K-pop group NCT, admitted to rape charges Wednesday during a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court. He is now facing time in prison.
Back in August 2024, NCT’s parent company, SM Entertainment, announced that Taeil had exited NCT, which he had been an active member of since 2016, after being “accused in a criminal case related to a sexual offense.” SM later terminated Taeil’s contract altogether in October as the investigation continued.
Korea JoongAng Daily reports that Taeil, along with two co-defendants — identified by their surnames, Lee and Hong — admitted to rape charges on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, following a February 2025 indictment.
During Wednesday’s hearing the three admitted to charges that they raped a “heavily intoxicated woman," identified as a Chinese national tourist, in Seoul on June 13, 2024, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. Prosecutors are seeking a seven-year prison sentence for each. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2025.
In a statement addressing the court, Taeil reportedly said: “I most deeply regret and feel sorry for the harm I caused the victim. I also apologize to everyone who was disappointed in me. If given leniency, I will consider it my last chance in life and do my best to contribute to society in any way I can,” according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For more resources on sexual assault, visit SafeBae; the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN); End Rape on Campus; Know Your IX; and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
