K-pop singer exits boy band following allegations of sexual misconduct.

 South Korean singer Taeil has left the K-pop band NCT following accusations of an unspecified sexual crime, according to an announcement from his label on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's agency, SM Entertainment, issued a statement on X, stating that the NCT member will be departing from the group after being "accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime."

The label did not disclose details of the alleged crime but acknowledged the gravity of the situation and decided that Taeil, whose legal name is Moon Tae-il, could no longer "continue his activities with the team." Taeil has not publicly addressed the allegations.

SM Entertainment also mentioned that Taeil is fully cooperating with the police investigation. "We will provide further statements as the investigation progresses," the statement read. The statement was posted in Korean and translated by the Associated Press.

According to South Korean media, the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul has announced that it is investigating Taeil in connection with a sexual crime. The BBC was unable to obtain a comment from the police.

Taeil was a member of NCT, or Neo Culture Technology, a globally renowned South Korean boy band that debuted in 2016. The group currently consists of over two dozen members who are divided into several subunits, including NCT 127, NCT Dream, and NCT Wish. Taeil was most recently active in NCT 127.

On August 15 of last year, Taeil was involved in a motorcycle accident in downtown Seoul. Following the accident, he temporarily paused his activities to focus on his treatment and recovery.

NCT is known for its experimental music that spans a variety of genres and has gained international recognition, with some of their releases charting on Billboard lists. K-pop, which originated in South Korea, is a blend of pop, R&B, and hip-hop, and has become a global phenomenon, particularly after the success of the boy band BTS in the late 2010s.