Pop Base: NCT Member Fired For Sexual Crime Allegation, NSFW Deepfake Epidemic, & more

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TRIGGER WARNING: This week’s K-Pop newsletter mentions sex-related crimes and non-consensual deepfake pornography distribution. If you prefer to avoid these potentially triggering topics, please scroll down to the "The More You Know" section for light-hearted K-Pop news and music recommendations.

NCT's Taeil Removed From the Group Due to Sexual Offense Allegations

On August 28, NCT's label, SM Entertainment, released a statement:

"This is SM Entertainment.

We have recently learned that Taeil has been implicated in a criminal case involving a sexual offense.

Upon reviewing the facts, we recognized the gravity of the situation and determined that Taeil can no longer continue his activities with NCT. After discussions with Taeil, we decided on his departure from the group. Taeil is currently fully cooperating with the police investigation. We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

We deeply apologize for the concern and distress caused by our artist."

Although the details and timeline of Taeil's alleged crimes remain unclear, the Seoul Bangbae Police Station has confirmed that a police report was filed against the artist in June by an adult woman, referred to as "A," who currently wishes to remain anonymous.

SM Entertainment also stated that they were unaware of the police report or the ongoing investigation until very recently. Upon learning about it, they quickly decided to remove Taeil from the group. NCT's official account has unfollowed Taeil, and the label has suspended the activities of the entire group, including the solo activities of other members of the team.

2nd NTH Room Revelation and Deepfake Porn Epidemic in South Korea

Recently, the revelation of the second NTH Room has shocked not only South Korea but the entire world. The NTH Room, or Humiliation Room, is a type of South Korean Telegram channel where non-consensual, inappropriate, and often doctored images and videos of people — including classmates, colleagues, family members, and strangers — are shared for sexual gratification. While both genders are victims of deepfake porn, the majority of the deepfake content in the NTH Room and similar chatrooms involves women and even minor girls.

One of these chat rooms contained 220,000 members sharing images of anyone they could get their hands on, including their sisters, daughters, mothers, and other family members. Another similar group had doctored media of over 200 female K-pop idols.

Most K-pop labels have not yet made statements, however, JYP Entertainment has announced that it is preparing to take legal action against the perpetrators without any leniency. While this statement offers some hope for justice, it should be noted that there are currently no laws specifically addressing the distribution of non-consensual deepfake porn in South Korea or any other country.

As a K-Pop fan and decent human being, if you encounter any individual spreading non-consensual NSFW media of any idol or non-idol, please report it to the platform and, if possible, to the legal authorities.

Stay vigilant, and stay safe!

The More You Know:

• Netflix's recent hit thriller K-Drama "Mask Girl" star NANA has reportedly left her agency, Pledis Entertainment. The artist began working with Pledis Entertainment around 2009 when she debuted with the girl group "After School" and had been with the agency for 15 years, renewing her contract four times in the past. While the artist has not stated a reason for her departure, fans are speculating it could be related to the recent change in the label's CEO.

• The VMAs have announced nominations for four new categories for their 2024 award ceremony. While three categories — VMAs Most Iconic Performance, Best Trending Video, and Song of the Summer — only feature Western artists, NCT Dream, NewJeans, SEVENTEEN, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER have been nominated for the Best Group category.

  Note: Fan voting, consisting of multiple rounds, for the Best Group category, will begin on Tuesday, September 3, at 11 a.m. ET on MTV's Instagram story (@MTV) and will close on September 6 at 11 a.m. ET. Don’t forget to cast your vote!

• Kim Jaejoong, co-founder and CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) K-Pop label inKODE, the former member of TVXQ, the current member of JYJ, and one of the key figures behind the abolition of "slave contracts" in K-Pop, is producing a new girl group scheduled to debut under inKODE in October. According to Kim Jaejoong:

  “The group consists of members with skills, charisma, talent, and looks. With the guidance of experienced industry professionals, the group aims to attract global K-pop fans with its high quality and fresh appeal.”

  inKODE Fun Fact: Unlike most other labels, inKODE offers free lodging, meals, skincare, and more. Kim Jaejoong has also stated that instead of imposing restrictive diets on trainees, inKODE has hired dietitians to help them achieve their goal body through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise routine. It seems like the world is healing.

• The actor Jisoo is back!!! Recently, BLACKPINK's Jisoo's label, Blissoo, has stated that the artist has been offered the lead role in "Monthly Boyfriend" and is currently considering the offer. The idol and actress has finished filming the web-novel-based drama "Omniscient Reader," co-starring Lee Min Ho and Ahn Hyo Seop, and is awaiting the release of the zombie genre Coupang Play series "Influenza."

• This week it was reported that Min Heejin, the creative director and mastermind behind NewJeans, is no longer the CEO of ADOR. While HYBE has not commented on this matter, Min Heejin's side claims that the board unilaterally decided to dismiss the CEO against Min's wishes, which they see as a serious violation of the shareholders' agreement. Min Heejin is currently evaluating her options and has not yet made a decision. Despite not being the CEO anymore, she will remain the producer and continue to provide the music Bunnies love.

Our Favorite Songs From Last Week

Jaehyun blew our minds a few weeks ago with his two pre-release tracks, "Roses" and "Dandelion," and we're happy to report that his debut album "J" does not disappoint. The title track, co-written by Jaehyun, "Smoke" carries all the elements that made us fall in love with the pre-release tracks: Jaehyun's powerful vocals, exceptional music production, and that signature indie-chill vibe. There's also an English version of the song, which is equally beautiful and a bit easier to understand if you're not fluent in English.

EXO's Chanyeol also dropped his first solo album last week. Given that he's the rapper of the group, we were expecting "Black Out" to lean heavily into rap and hip-hop. However, the 6-track album is surprisingly chill, with Chanyeol doing more singing than rapping.

The title track, "Black Out," is undoubtedly the standout. It’s a breakup song with rather pessimistic and depressing lyrics: "I'm falling into a deep abyss / Please hold me just one more time / I'm falling apart." Although Chanyeol didn't participate in writing the lyrics, he did an excellent job conveying the emotions of a breakup.

Le Sserafim also made a comeback last week with their album "Crazy," and there couldn't be a more fitting title. The album is indeed crazy, confident, and THE moment. Although the title track doesn't have much lyrical depth or meaning, it still sounds like a song destined to be a hit in dance clubs. The same can be said about the rest of the B-sides, especially "1-800-HOT-N-FUN," which makes you want to move your body and dance until you're out of breath.

Finally, the song we were looking forward to the most — Fiftyfifty's "Starry Night." With almost all new members except Keena, we were curious to see if their music would resemble the older group's style and live up to the legacy of "Cupid." The consensus is that while "Starry Night" might not be the next "Cupid," it’s definitely Fiftyfifty. The song sounds fresh, somehow nostalgic, and feels like it was written with a pink glitter pen.

This Week's Comeback Schedule

Sunday, September 1, 2024

• YOUNHA: 7th Album "GROWTH THEORY"

Monday, September 2, 2024

• DAY6: 9th Mini Album "Band Aid"

• BOYNEXTDOOR: Pre-release "Dangerous"

• Loossemble: 3rd Mini Album "TTYL"

• LEECHANGSUB: Pre-Release "1991"

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

• ONEW (SHINee): 3rd EP "FLOW"

• MADEIN: Debut EP "상승"

• Choi Suhwan (WATERFIRE): Track "I'm Fine"

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

• ONEWE: Digital Single "Off Road"

• YERIN (GFRIEND): 3rd Mini Album "Rewrite"

Thursday, September 5, 2024

• L5ST: Debut Single "ONLY ONE"

Friday, September 6, 2024

• BAEKHYUN (EXO): 4th Mini Album "Hello, World"

• xikers: 4th Mini Album "HOUSE OF TRICKY: WATCH OUT"

• TZUYU (TWICE): 1st Mini album "abouTZU"

• CHANYEOL (EXO): 1st Mini Album "Black Out"

— Javeria Yousuf

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