“Now they are silent” — Fans question K-Media’s alleged double standards in BTS’ Suga’s and former NCT member Taeil’s photo line coverage

South Korean media outlet Edaily reported that former NCT member, Moon Taeil's case was forwarded for prosecution without detainment on September 13, 2024. Seoul Bangbae Police Station reported that a complaint against the K-pop idol was lodged on June 13, 2024, when a female victim accused him of s*xual assault.

For the unversed, prosecution without detainment also means "prosecution without custody." It refers to the release of the accused from custody prior to their trial. Currently, netizens were stunned to learn that the idol was arrested in June 2024 and the Korean media has not covered this news since. They compared it with BTS' Suga's DUI incident, where he was severely scrutinized by the media.

Suga had an accident in front of his house when he fell off his electric scooter, which had no engine and a top speed of 30 km/h, similar to a bicycle's speed. However, Korean media like JTBC aired false footage of him which led him to face a severe public backlash. Media also gathered outside the police station and held an unethical photo line.

Meanwhile, despite Taeil's ongoing case of s*xually assaulting a female, the lack of coverage of the case from Korean media baffled the public. For the uninitiated, the news of Taeil's s*x crime hit the news on August 28, 2024, when his agency, SM Entertainment announced his removal from the group NCT.

Netizens questioned the absence of a photo line during the former NCT member's investigation and the dearth of articles regarding the investigation. Notably, a photo line is an allegedly unethical and humiliating practice where the media forces the accused to go through a public trial. This practice only exists in South Korea.

Netizens and BTS fans expressed their disappointment towards Korean media for allegedly curtailing Taeil's s*x crime while allegedly defaming BTS' Suga for tripping from his foldable electric scooter/kickboard on August 6 on the charges of drunk driving.

"He went through so much harassment and now they're silent," one X user wrote regarding Suga.

Netizens were baffled to see the difference in news coverage of a reported s*x offender and a DUI incident.

"It's not about the gravity of what you did for kmedia, it's just pure BTS hate," one netizen stated.

"The way they’re treating a man who fell of his scooter in front of his house worst than a man who SA an underage person is beyond comprehension," another netizen pointed out.

"You're telling me all this and he not ONCE had to stand in a photo line, that he was investigated on the 28th and not one single reporter was there for that," another netizen expressed shock.

Several BTS fans expressed their rage and disappointment towards Korean media and highlighted how they allegedly treated Suga worse than an s*x offender.

"Hybe, PLEASE MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC SHOW NOW WHEN BTS COME BACK. ARMYS will support and promote. They don't deserve having BTS physically back on their channels and our views," one netizen said.

"He was arrested in June. Not a single article or report abt his arrest. He then released an album, promoted it and did concerts. A CRIMINAL WHO WAS ARRESTED & PROBABLY OUT ON BAIL WAS ACTIVE IN THE INDUSTRY. BUT U GOTTA BLACKLIST SOMEONE WHO WAS JUST FINED FOR RIDDING A KICKBACK," one netizen retorted.

"K-media going after RM because he went to *checks notes* a fancafe on his birthday meanwhile………. where is all the outrage for this??" another netizen expressed shock.

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More about former NCT member Moon Taeil's ongoing s*x crime investigation

Moon Taeil (30) was a member of the K-pop group NCT and its sub-unit, NCT 127 under SM Entertainment. The company announced on August 28, 2024, his removal from the group and halted his activities on the allegations of a s*x crime. They wrote,

"As we were assessing the facts related to the matter, we recognized the severity of the situation and determined that Taeil could no longer continue his activities with the team (NCT). After discussing with Taeil, we have decided on his departure from the group. Taeil is currently cooperating fully with the police investigation."

The Seoul Bangbae Police has determined that information on the case, which is now being referred to as a "sexual crime," would not be made public prior to an indictment. To protect the safety of the victim, an adult lady, this process is being followed.

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In other news, BTS' Suga is currently serving in the South Korean military since September 2023. He will return in June 2025.