In a stunning revelation that has rocked the K-Pop world, SM Entertainment has announced the removal of Tail, a long-time member of the hit group NCT, after he was accused of an unspecified sexual crime. This has fans and media alike buzzing—and not in a good way—as many express disbelief that such a popular member could be involved in such a serious crime.

Since 2015, Tail has been a mainstay in NCT, even before the group’s formation. He has taken on whatever role has been necessary — performer, vocalist, or dancer — since pre-debut and has been a beloved member within the fandom even before. Now, after an unfortunate motorcycle accident almost a year ago, which led to a prolonged hiatus for the performer, he is making headlines once again.

The situation is serious, according to the entertainment behemoth’s official statement. It is cooperating with police investigations in the matter of the still-unfolding story. In light of all the known and unknown facts, and with the benefit of hindsight, the statement made clear that while the 30-year-old in question had been previously celebrated, he is now to be part of the past tense, as the group made the decision to part ways with him.

The future now seems uncertain for NCT127, and the K-Pop universe is left to speculate what all this means for the group’s next chapter. Will their core dynamic remain unsullied? Will this latest turn of events lead to more silver linings for the resilient ensemble? Or might it leave the fandom less a close-knit family and more a fateful generation caught at the mercy of dismissive capriciousness?

As this developing narrative continues to progress, the music industry is faced with a provocative twist and will have to respond accordingly. Keep watching this space for periodic updates. We are likely to hear more from the industry soon on how it plans to address this situation.