SEOUL — Taeil, a member of the popular K-pop group NCT, has exited the band following allegations of sexual offenses, according to an announcement by SM Entertainment, the agency representing NCT. The departure marks a significant development for the artist who has been with the group since its early days.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision for Taeil to leave NCT came after allegations surfaced linking him to a criminal case involving a sexual crime. The agency stated that after reviewing the details of the allegations and consulting with Taeil, it concluded that he could no longer remain with the team due to the seriousness of the incident. Taeil is reportedly cooperating with the police in their investigation.

SM Entertainment also issued an apology regarding the situation, expressing regret over the incident associated with one of their artists. Taeil has been a prominent member of NCT since his debut in 2016 with the unit NCT U and has participated extensively in the activities of both NCT and its sub-unit NCT 127.