SM’s NCT 10th Anniversary Flea Market Accidentally Sells Clothing Belonging To Former Member Taeil, Convicted Sex Offender
SM Entertainment’s celebratory flea market for NCT’s 10th anniversary has turned into a major controversy after clothing belonging to former member Taeil, who was expelled from the group and had his contract terminated following a gang rape conviction, was found among the items sold to fans.
On September 6th, SM held the “NCT Flea Market,” selling members’ past stage outfits and personal items to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NCT brand’s launch. It was meant to be a meaningful event allowing artists and fans to look back on the past decade together. However, the significance of the event was shattered almost immediately by an angry social media exposé from a fan.
Taeil, the owner of the outfit in question, is not a member who left the group over a simple slip of the tongue or a minor privacy controversy. He is a serious offender who was indicted in 2024 alongside two acquaintances on charges of gang-raping an intoxicated foreign woman, and was handed a final sentence of three years and six months in prison last December. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and barred him from working at institutions related to children, teenagers, and people with disabilities for five years.
Due to the severity and gravity of the crime, SM immediately expelled him from NCT and terminated his exclusive contract as soon as the case came to light, cutting ties with him entirely. He is a figure who should leave no trace in the group’s storied history, and who inflicted deep trauma on fans.
Despite this permanent expulsion, the public was shocked to learn that items still carrying traces of the convicted offender were displayed for sale at a flea market table under the title “10th Anniversary.”
As the controversy spread uncontrollably, SM belatedly confirmed the reports to StarNews on September 7th, admitting, “It is true that Taeil’s clothing was put up for sale.”
One fan voiced their outrage in a personal social media post on the morning of September 6th titled “Exposing the NCT Flea Market,” writing, “I gave up looking because the brand was expensive and just bought it, but how could they sell clothing worn by a rapist who was kicked out of the group? What fan would want to buy a criminal’s clothes? I’m going to formally file a complaint with SM.” The post directly called out SM’s mishandling of the event, noting that even with such a massive collection of the members’ past stage outfits, the company apparently failed to carry out even the most basic inspection of the items.
The fan, who said they paid a not-insignificant 150,000 won for the item, presented clear evidence by uploading the outfit they purchased side by side with a past photo of Taeil actually wearing it. They further shared their frustration, saying, “I barely managed to get an apology and a refund after arguing. I bought this one piece and ended up buying a 10,000-won pair of glasses during my turn, and I never got compensated for that either.”
Source: (A)
