NCT Taeyong’s Comeback Sparks Interest Connected to Former Member and Convicted Offender Taeil
Taeyong returned from military service but fans are talking about a major edit in NCT group photos.
The controversy started after Taeyong finished his Navy enlistment on December 14, 2025. He had been serving since April 14, 2024, and marked the first NCT member to complete service. His emotional reunion with his parents quickly went viral.
Source: @NCTsmtown
Taeyong immediately jumped back into schedules, including a New Year’s event in Thailand. He also held a welcome home live stream, chatting about future plans and his military experience.
However, attention soon shifted to a serious issue involving former member Taeil. In August 2024, Taeil was removed from NCT over an unspecified sex crime. Early this year, he was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated rape that occurred in June 2024.
Despite the crime, Taeil took part in some group events while Taeyong was enlisted, including a fan meeting attended by current members and Taeyong himself.
Source: Koreaboo
The drama deepened when a photo book covering the period of Taeyong’s enlistment was released. Comparing past group photos, fans noticed Taeil was edited out of one image where he originally appeared with the members during Taeyong’s service.
Fans praised the removal.
Fans took to social media praising Taeyong for using the edited photo, highlighting the clear break from the disgraced ex-member.
“HE USED THE EDITED PICS AND FUCK THAT PIECE OF SHIT ALWAYS”
— vid (@bluerredsky)
“he use the edited photo, THE KING THAT YOU ARE TAEYONG “
— k. (@kjyaaaaah)
“He used the pic that edited that man out “
— e ✦ (@ggonisaur)
Source: @nctsmtown127
Fans are watching closely as Taeyong rises back into activity while firmly distancing from Taeil’s scandal. The photo edit sends a loud message: no backing for a convicted sex offender in NCT.
NCT is in the spotlight again, but this time for holding their ground against serious controversy inside the group.
