On June 18, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Agreement Division 26, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-kyung, held the first trial for Moon Tae-il, better known as Taeil, a former member of the popular South Korean idol group NCT. Taeil, along with two co-defendants identified as Mr. Lee and Mr. Hong, faced charges under the Act on Punishment of Sexual Crimes for special quasi-rape, a grave accusation involving the sexual assault of a foreign female tourist. The prosecution requested a seven-year prison sentence for each of the three defendants, emphasizing the severity and reprehensibility of the crime.
The charges stem from an incident in June 2024, when Taeil and his two associates allegedly sexually assaulted a Chinese woman who was intoxicated and unable to resist. According to the prosecution, the defendants met the victim at a bar in Seoul’s Itaewon district around 2:33 a.m. on June 13, 2024. After the victim became heavily intoxicated, Taeil and Mr. Lee took her by taxi to Mr. Lee’s residence in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, where the assault took place. Mr. Hong and Taeil then arrived separately using a designated driver, and all three are accused of participating in the crime.
Following the assault, the defendants reportedly moved the victim to a different location away from the residence and arranged for her to be taken away by taxi. The prosecution highlighted messages exchanged between the defendants, including one from Mr. Hong instructing Mr. Lee to "go out and get a taxi, tell them to go to a different address," suggesting a deliberate attempt to confuse the victim and obstruct police investigation. The prosecution underscored that the victim’s foreign nationality was exploited to prevent her from recalling the crime scene and to hinder law enforcement efforts.
The case drew significant public attention due to Taeil’s celebrity status. Taeil debuted in 2016 as part of NCT’s first unit, NCT U, and was also an active member of the sub-group NCT 127. However, following the allegations and subsequent investigation, SM Entertainment, his agency at the time, terminated his contract in October 2024, stating that the gravity of the situation made it impossible for him to continue group activities.
During the June 18 trial, Taeil and his co-defendants admitted to the charges. When asked by the judge whether he acknowledged all allegations, Taeil answered succinctly, "Yes." His legal representatives noted that a settlement was reached with the victim, who expressed no desire for punishment from investigative authorities. Taeil’s defense team further pleaded for leniency, emphasizing his remorse and efforts to rehabilitate. They highlighted that Taeil has been participating in sexual offender prevention education programs and receiving psychological counseling, vowing never to repeat such conduct.
In a poignant final statement, Taeil expressed deep regret and apologized to all those disappointed by his actions. "I am sorry to those I disappointed," he said, adding, "If given leniency, I will treat this as my last chance in life and strive to live in a way that contributes to society." His lawyer also painted a picture of personal hardship, revealing that Taeil grew up in a single-parent household with a younger sibling. The incident’s fallout forced his mother to resign from her job, and Taeil has since been helping out at an acquaintance’s restaurant to support his family.
The prosecution, however, maintained a stern stance. They described the crime as "very serious" with "extremely poor culpability," noting the defendants’ efforts to mislead the victim and obstruct justice. They disputed the defense’s claims that the assault was an unplanned, accidental act occurring during a night of drinking. Instead, the prosecution pointed to chat logs where the defendants pinpointed the address and invited the victim to their location, arguing this showed premeditation. They also criticized the defendants’ so-called voluntary statements, suggesting these were submitted only after extensive police investigation and were not true acts of surrender as defined by law.
Evidence submitted during the trial included genetic testing results from the victim’s body, linking the DNA of all three defendants, as well as CCTV footage capturing events around the time of the crime. The court was also informed that the police conducted thorough investigations, including tracking CCTV and seizing mobile phones, before identifying and apprehending the suspects.
The defendants’ acknowledgment of guilt contrasts with the prosecution’s insistence on the case’s severity. The law under which they are charged—special quasi-rape—applies when two or more individuals commit sexual assault on a person in a state of unconsciousness or inability to resist, carrying a minimum sentence of seven years or potentially life imprisonment.
The trial concluded with the court setting the sentencing date for July 10, 2025, at 2 p.m. The outcome is awaited with keen public interest, given the high-profile nature of the case and its serious implications for the entertainment industry and society’s handling of sexual crimes.
This case also highlights broader issues around the treatment of foreign victims in South Korea, the responsibilities of celebrities as public figures, and the justice system’s approach to sexual offenses involving intoxication and group assault. Taeil’s fall from grace—from a celebrated idol to a defendant facing severe criminal charges—serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions.
As the sentencing date approaches, the public and media continue to watch closely, reflecting on the balance between accountability, punishment, and rehabilitation in cases involving sexual violence.
