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NCT’s Jeno unintentionally mentions Taeil during livestream after his group exit due to sexual crime scandal: ‘we became closer…’
NCT's Jeno recently mentioned Taeil during a livestream accidentally following his departure from the group. Read on for more details.
Trigger Warning: The following article contains mentions of sexual assault
Taeil, formerly a member of NCT, was announced to be departing from the group due to sexual crime accusations, as stated in an official announcement by SM Entertainment. Following this, all official NCT accounts, including those of the members, unfollowed him on social media and ceased acknowledging his presence on any public platform. However, Jeno recently made an unintentional mention of him for the first time since the incident.
On February 7, 2025, Jeno held a live stream on Weverse to connect with his fans and well-wishers. While discussing It’s Awkward But It’s Okay (AWSAZ), a show designed to pair NCT members who aren’t particularly close, Jeno responded to a fan’s comment about taking an AWSAZ photo with Jisung. This led him to recall his own participation in 2020, when he was paired with Taeil.
However, mid-sentence, he suddenly paused, seemingly realizing the weight of mentioning Taeil’s name. Quickly covering his mouth, he carefully reworded his statement, saying, “Taeil and I—oops. The member whom I took the AWSAZ picture with… I don’t know if I could say that we became closer friends just because we posed for that picture together. Let’s move on!”
His reaction sparked divided opinions among fans. Some empathized with the difficult situation the members are in, while others speculated about the internal response to Taeil’s departure. Many pointed out Jeno’s visible unease, interpreting it as a sign that SM Entertainment may have strongly advised the members to avoid discussing the topic.
On August 28, 2024, SM Entertainment issued an official statement regarding Taeil, revealing that he had been charged in a criminal case related to sexual offenses. After gathering the facts and acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the company determined that Taeil could no longer remain a part of the group.
Following discussions with Taeil, he decided to leave NCT. He is currently under investigation for quasi-rape, accused of assaulting an intoxicated woman alongside two associates. According to reports, the alleged victim is a foreign national. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from seven years to life.
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