"We will always be there" — Fans react to NCT's Doyoung breaking down during his 'Dear Youth' Tokyo concert amid Taeil's ongoing case

On September 7, 2024, NCT's Doyoung held his first solo concert "2024 DOYOUNG CONCERT [Dear Youth,]" in Tokyo, Japan. During the event, the K-pop idol got emotional and started crying in the middle of his performance. Fans also became emotional seeing the idol break down on stage, resulting in the clip going viral online.

Regaining his composure, Doyoung informed his supporters that they were free to discontinue being NCT fans if they so choose. Adding that he will always wait for them to return.

"Everyone if perhaps, you want to rest from being a fan, it’s okay to rest. i’ll always be here so you can go back any time," he said.

Fans took to social media to the artist. The idol's statement stemmed from the ongoing investigation of his former bandmate, Moon Taeil, who has been charged with s*xual assault.

One fan wrote,

"Doyoung you worked so hard to be where you are today. You deserve all the love your hardwork will always be deserving as long as you continue singing we will always be there."

Others expressed their pride in being an NCT fan and stated that the NCT idol should take some time off from his schedule amidst the ongoing investigation of his former band member, Moon Taeil.

"This is too much for me, thank you for saying this doyoungie. Hugs to the neos and czennies, please if you wanna take a rest,it’s okay please...take your time and," one fan wrote.

"Tired of seeing NCT members like this, god please take all their pain away triple it and give it to taeil," another fan added.

"I hope no one ever again says the members are so nonchalant abt everything going on when they’re taking it the hardest," one fan said.

Others expressed their anger at Moon Taeil for his alleged criminal misconduct and blamed him for inconveniencing the NCT members.

"ANYONE WHO EVER MADE HIM FEEL SADNESS SHOULD COUNT THEIR DAYS," one fan wrote.

"Doie, it's OK to not be OK bub. let it out. I guess these are mixed emotions... that after all that has happened, there are still people who love them. Yes, doyoung. We are still here. We still love you. They are really the ones who have been hit the hardest," another fan stated.

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Doyoung unfollows Moon Taeil on Instagram amid the latter's ongoing s*xual assault investigation

On August 28, 2024, SM Entertainment announced via their official X account that they have removed Moon Taeil from NCT and its sub-unit NCT-127. According to the translation provided by Koreaboo, SM Entertainment said,

"We have recently confirmed that Taeil has been implicated in a criminal case related to s*x crime. While looking into the situation, we recognized that the issue is very serious, and we have decided that Taeil could no longer continue team activities. We have discussed this matter with Taeil and it has been decided he will be removed from the group."

Following the announcement, NCT members such as Doyoung, Mark, Jungwoo, Haechan, Johnny, and Winwin (who is part of both NCT and WayV) unfollowed Taeil on Instagram. The official accounts of NCT and NCT 127 also unfollowed the 30-year-old K-pop idol, who is implicated in the s*xual assault case.

Both Doyoung and Taeyong also deleted several pictures which featured Taeil from their respective Instagram accounts. Furthermore, DearU Bubble, a fan community service app for artists and fandoms, also terminated Taeil's services and account from their platform on August 29, 2024.

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Currently, authorities are investigating the case of Moon Taeil, who was charged with s*xual assault in June 2024.