NCT’s Taeil prison sentence sparks viral K-Pop store backlash
NCT’s former member Taeil is facing heavy fallout after being sentenced for aggravated quasi-rape. Netherlands-based K-Pop store Hey!Hallyu went viral for its strict stance on Taeil’s albums. An employee shared a photo of the NCT album shelf featuring a sign that reads,
“Got Taeil? Let us know and we’ll fix it.”
Fans noticed that Taeil’s face was even covered with a sticker on one visible album.
“The sticker on his face lol”
— @ashpointmp3 on X
The post quickly gained over 100,000 likes. It’s been more than a year since SM Entertainment announced Taeil’s removal from NCT due to sex crimes. At the time, fans reacted by burning his merchandise.
Some call the policy minimal, but others praise K-Pop stores putting values before profits. Dozens of fans shared similar signs from local stores allowing customers to open NCT 127 albums in front of staff and swap photocards if they get Taeil’s.
“mine IJBOLLL”
— @yaoihaneum on X
“my local store lmaooo”
— @julievermore on X
“love my local kpop stores”
— @parklochu on X
“kpop store i went to recently did the same”
— @bjorkburgers on X
Taeil is currently appealing his sentence, which fell short of the seven-year term requested by prosecutors last month. Fans remain outraged. Some idols appear to share the sentiment—one fourth-gen star recently went viral for skipping Taeil’s parts in an NCT song.
