The wave of sexual assault allegations and personal scandals involving K-pop male idols is delivering a crushing blow to public trust.
Moon Tae-il Sentenced for Aggravated Quasi-Rape
Former NCT member Moon Tae-il has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of aggravated quasi-rape, sparking widespread condemnation. On June 18, the Seoul Central District Court heard that Taeil, along with two acquaintances, allegedly raped an intoxicated foreign woman at an apartment in Bangbae-dong after meeting her in Itaewon around 2:30 AM.
Prosecutors emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, accusing the trio of choosing an unfamiliar location to prevent the victim from identifying the crime scene. They requested a 7-year prison term and a 10-year employment restriction for Taeil.
While Taeil’s legal team admitted the act occurred, they argued it wasn’t premeditated and appealed for leniency. Taeil cited mental trauma from a past car accident and financial hardship, expressing deep regret in court.
“I deeply regret and am sorry for the pain I caused the victim. I apologize to everyone disappointed in me.”
Taeil debuted with NCT U in 2016 and later joined NCT 127. Following the charges, SM Entertainment announced his removal from the group, citing the seriousness of the incident.
Joo Haknyeon Faces Prostitution Allegations
On the same day, Joo Haknyeon of THE BOYZ was removed from the group amid growing controversy over a scandal involving former AV actress Asuka Kirara. Reports claim the two met at a Tokyo bar on May 30 and were seen in photos hugging and appearing intimate.
Though no legal charges have been filed yet, a formal complaint was submitted via the Korean government’s civil petition portal, requesting an investigation into possible overseas prostitution and the agency’s involvement.
OneHundred, Haknyeon’s agency, acted swiftly, announcing the termination of his exclusive contract and issuing a public apology:
“Given the gravity of the matter and the difficulty of maintaining trust, this decision was inevitable to protect the group.”
Haknyeon denied all prostitution allegations via social media:
“While it’s true that I attended the gathering on May 30, I did not engage in any form of prostitution or illegal activity.”
Echoes of the Burning Sun Scandal
These incidents have reignited public concerns about repeated sexual misconduct among male idols, drawing parallels to the notorious 2019 Burning Sun Scandal.
Key figures from that scandal include:
- Seungri (Big Bang): 1.5 years for prostitution mediation and gambling.
- Jung Joon-young: 5 years for gang rape and illegal filming.
- Choi Jong-hoon (FT Island): 2.5 years for similar charges.
- Himchan (B.A.P): 3 years for sexual assault and illegal filming.
Despite such high-profile cases, the industry continues to struggle with toxic behaviors and accountability gaps, leaving many questioning how deep the problem runs.
As fresh scandals shake the already fragile trust in K-pop’s male idols, the industry faces renewed calls for transparency, reform, and stronger protection for victims. With both Taeil and Haknyeon’s cases under intense public scrutiny, fans and critics alike are demanding that agencies and authorities act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.
