Is SM Entertainment To Blame For NCT Taeil’s Accident?

Fans and netizens are currently debating whether SM Entertainment has any blame for NCT Taeil‘s recent accident.

NCT’s Taeil | SM Entertainment

On August 15, SM Entertainment announced that Taeil would suspend all activities following an accident on his motorcycle, including his participation in the upcoming collective NCT concert, NCT NATION: To The World.

| Kwangya Club

Hello, we would like to inform you about NCT Taeil’s health and future schedule. On the morning of August 15, Taeil got into a car accident while riding his motorcycle home after his schedule. He was immediately taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment.

As a result of the examination, he was diagnosed with a fracture in his right thigh and received the opinion of the medical staff that he needed surgery. Currently, he is recovering and receiving the necessary treatment ahead of the surgery.

With this, he will suspend all schedules for the time being to concentrate on treatment and recovery. We ask for fans’ understanding that he will not be able to attend the NCT concert, ‘NCT NATION: To The World’, on August 26.

We sincerely apologize for causing concern to fans with the sudden news. We will put the artist’s health first and focus on Taeil’s recovery so that he can meet fans again soon. Thank you.

— SM Entertainment via Kwangya Club

The announcement mentions that the accident occurred early in the morning of the 15th, a detail that stuck out to many fans. As NCT prepare for their comeback, several members have mentioned long practices and late finishing times, which are too standard for any group.

Because of this, some have wondered if SM Entertainment is at all to blame for Taeil’s accident.

| SM Entertainment

Fans have shared their opinion that companies should be responsible for transporting their idols after schedules, especially those that end at odd hours. In SM’s case, one fan pointed out that even regular employees have support for designated driving listed as one of the perks on its career website.

the fact that sm didn't see an issue in letting their artist go home via motorcycle in the middle of the night after a 12 hour practice is baffling like.. a proper company would've sent a taxi bc they know that driving while tired wouldn't be safe. this could've been prevented

— eden berzatto (@astralcenter) August 15, 2023

this is on sm’s career website btw https://t.co/JxOpfev9gp pic.twitter.com/lyduncf6LK

— nat (@aquariancity) August 15, 2023

On the other hand, netizens have disagreed with blaming SM, as accidents can happen at any given time to anyone.

im sorry but car accident can happen to anyone stop blaming the company for everything https://t.co/aZ9bvIWRFC

— #1 (@seoryno) August 15, 2023

I HATE sm but this one is not on them. you can blame and protest sm for overworking them, I do that, but taeil is a 30 year old man, if he felt he was too tired he shouldn't have gotten behind the wheel, you have a responsability to yourself and others when you are driving https://t.co/AEA7X844Dq

— kyrie ☆ (@soobinswillow) August 15, 2023

Sm is a shitty agency yes but they aren’t to blame for him driving in the middle of the night exhausted when he could’ve asked for a taxi or a staff to drop him off. This situation is unfortunate but ur boss aren’t responsible for u after ur shift ended. Hope he recovers soon tho https://t.co/YxNgaDY1yU pic.twitter.com/LTAWnD1OLo

— dklin (@wtrmoments) August 15, 2023

Despite this, many still think that SM playing a more proactive role than has been portrayed would have prevented the accident from occurring, regardless of any other circumstances.

why tf did sm even let taeil drive on his own after what seems to be a tiring schedule that finished early morning

— (@forliuyangyang) August 15, 2023

so many things to process including the fact that taeil rides a motorbike to & from home between work schedule which makes you wonder how long was he working for & that does no one in sm check on their idols after schedule!?

— dani (@_nessetaeil) August 15, 2023

Over the last year, fans of SM Entertainment groups have criticized the company for its alleged mismanagement and overworking of groups, including NCT, likely leading to debates like these.

What do you think?