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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Seoul High Court upholds ex-NCT member Taeil's prison sentence for rape

Seoul High Court upholds ex-NCT member Taeil's prison sentence for rape

Published Oct 17, 2025 03:12 pm
Former NCT member Taeil (Instagram)
Former NCT member Taeil (Instagram)

The Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal of Taeil, former member of K-pop boy band NCT, and upheld his prison sentence of three and a half years for aggravated rape. 

On Oct. 17, the Seoul High Court held a hearing about the appeal filed by Taeil and two accomplices, and the prosecution. 

Last July 10, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Taeil and two accomplices surnamed Lee and Hong to three and a half years in prison. The three were taken into custody after the sentencing. 

The court also ordered them to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program and barred them from working at any institution related to children, adolescents, or the disabled for five years.

Former NCT member Taeil (Instagram)
Former NCT member Taeil (Instagram)

The three were indicted for sexually assaulting an intoxicated female Chinese tourist at Lee’s residence in Bangbae, Seocho, Seoul on June 13 last year. They faced aggravated rape charges under the Korean law Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. 

Article 4 (aggravated rape) of the law states that “a person who commits a crime prescribed in Article 297 [rape] of the Criminal Act, carrying any weapon or other dangerous object or jointly with any other persons, shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for an indefinite term or for at least seven years,” according to the  Korea Legislation Research Institute.  

Taeil and the two others filed appeals, citing the unfairness of the sentencing. The prosecution also filed an appeal, aiming for the three to be sentenced to seven years in prison. 

"The appeals of both the defendant and the prosecution are dismissed,” the Seoul High Court ruled on Oct. 17, Korean media reported. 

During the first hearing of the appeal trial last month, the prosecution said they should be sentenced to seven years in prison. 

"The crime is serious and its nature is heinous. Even if the victim agreed, considering the circumstances, the first trial is excessively lenient,” according to the prosecution. 

Taeil’s side emphasized that an agreement was reached with the victim. 

"I will live the rest of my life atonement. I will never commit a crime again. I will live honestly, never forgetting the weight of the law. I once again apologize for the harm I caused," Taeil previously told the court.

On Aug. 28 last year, SM Entertainment, NCT’s agency, announced Taeil’s expulsion from the group. 

“We have recently learned that Taeil has been accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime. While assessing the facts, we recognized the gravity of the matter and decided that he could no longer continue his team activities. After discussing it with Taeil, we decided to have him leave the team. Taeil is currently cooperating faithfully with the police investigation, and we will provide additional information as the investigation progresses. We deeply apologize for the controversy caused by our artist,” it said.

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