NCT Flea Market Under Fire After Convicted Ex-Member Taeil's Stage Clothing Spotted for Sale
A fan's post exposing a black jacket worn by convicted sex offender Taeil at an NCT anniversary charity flea market has racked up millions of views.
Convicted ex-member's jacket found at NCT charity event
A black jacket confirmed to be the same item former NCT member Taeil (문태일) wore in the group's music videos and stage performances turned up for sale at an NCT flea market held to mark the brand's 10th anniversary, with all proceeds designated for donation.
On September 6, a user identified as A posted photos from the event under the title "NCT Flea Market Public Disclosure." She wrote: "The brand was expensive so I gave up looking for it and just bought it, but why are they selling clothes of a sexual assault criminal who left the group?"
The post has since recorded millions of views. A added: "What fan wants to buy a criminal's clothes? No matter how much it's a flea market, does it make sense to sell a criminal's clothes?" She stated she would formally lodge a complaint with SM Entertainment.
Taeil's conviction and removal from NCT
Taeil was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison for aggravated quasi-rape (특수준강간) against a foreign woman under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. He also completed 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and received a 5-year employment restriction from institutions related to children, youth, and people with disabilities.
The legal process moved quickly. Police booked him in June 2024, conducted their first summons investigation in August 2024, and Seoul Banbae Police Station transferred him to prosecutors without detention in September 2024. Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted him on the same charges without detention in March 2025. SM Entertainment said at the time that "the matter is very serious" and removed him from the team immediately.
Fan backlash directed at SM Entertainment
Online criticism of the agency spread alongside A's post. Netizens wrote that the situation was "unthinkable when thinking of the victim." SM "should have disposed of all his belongings" after removing him from the group. Selling a convicted person's items at a donation-purpose event "is deceptive."
SM Entertainment has not issued a public response as of the time of reporting.
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