Omega X: ‘Our Journey Is Unique in the Idol World’

Omega X has 11 members: Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Hangyeom, Taedong, Xen, Jehyun, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk, and Yechan. Having released Vamos, their first EP, and What’s Goin’ On, their first single album, coming hot on heels in 2021, Omega X has built an impressive discography, evolving and expanding over their career, and if success is the goal, aiming to become the last big thing in K-pop.

Nothing is “infinite” in the same way as Omega X. From their beginnings to iykyk, their third mini-album, the group speaks for the “X” in their name: “infinite possibilities.” Drawing inspiration from the norms common in K-pop, Omega X offers an idealized image and represents the essence of specialty, unity, and endurance.

As fulfilling as the run has been for them, the firsts never fade. “The most memorable moment for me was our first solo concert in Korea,” says Yechan. “It felt like a long-awaited moment for us as well as for our fans. It was exhilarating to finally present the result of our months of hard work and receive such enthusiastic cheers from our fans.” He stresses that the experience taught him “that we can’t predict the future, but with the support of our loving fans and the camaraderie of 11 members who treasure each other, we can face anything together.” 

Omega X was the members’ second shot in the K-pop industry, having either made appearances on reality TV auditions or had their debuts with other K-pop acts before forming Omega X. In sharing each member’s unique experience, they hope fans can connect with and better identify with their personalities and musical styles. However, given their varied backgrounds, it must’ve been tough to fit in with a large group like theirs; it must’ve been tricky to zero in when making music. “After our debuts, coming together as Omega X brought different perspectives and rehearsal styles,” Hangyeom explains, noting that aligning the 11 members’ thoughts and routines wasn’t easy. But spending time together and communicating led to a greater understanding between them. “Now, we have great teamwork and practice diligently together. Though it’s hard to stay focused on music production when we’re together, we have so much fun and are so happy that it feels like we’ve returned to our childhoods. But we buckle down when it’s time to focus and prepare for an amazing stage.”

So, it all comes down to what characterizes a band most of all: teamwork above everything. I reckon that is what it is—great teamwork that’s at the centerpiece of Omega X, bonded by a shared dream; you can feel it in their sound. It has the vibe of 11 distinct artists performing together and having a blast. “When I listen to good music, I often think about how it would sound if we performed it,” Junghoon states. He emphasizes “It’s important that the music not only sounds great but also matches our group’s color.” The interplay of talents within Omega X—their collaborative efforts and their dynamic synergy—reflects that essentially driving them to push boundaries and innovate. “When working with the members, we start with a good track and then each contributes various melodies, gradually refining them into a complete piece.”

Omega X’s music is a beautiful culmination of their past experiences, versatility in exploring different genres, and their signature strength and stage presence. From long trainee days to debuting with other teams and finally re-debuting as Omega X, Kevin says, “Our journey is unique in the idol world,” and that “ups and downs have made us stronger and more resilient. I believe our determination for our dream and refusal to give up, even in tough situations, are key strengths of our team.” A little more about that, more insights, the fundamentals of Omega X, their music, and the way they want to be remembered—I’ve covered them all in our conversation below.

A band’s journey to a sustainable career in K-pop isn’t easy, given how competitive it is. How have you been going about this?

Hyuk: Rather than competing with other teams, I would say that we focus on showcasing our music, performances, and energy. We talk a lot and support each other like family, which makes our activities enjoyable and helps us stay united.

In what ways has your music evolved?

Hwichan: We’ve been able to convey our diverse stories through our music, and with the members heavily involved in the album’s creation, we’ve enjoyed the process even more. When we truly enjoy our performance, the audience can also feel our energy, which I think has helped us show a more evolved side of ourselves.

Tell me more about iykyk, its uniqueness, and how it differs from your previous work.

Jaehan: Through the iykyk album, we wanted to show our never-give-up attitude. The album was also about keeping our promises to our fans. The album is special because the members contributed to composing, writing lyrics, and providing ideas, making it a true reflection of our determination, passion, and effort.

This one could be a little difficult, but which one of your songs best captures Omega X’s sound and character? Why so?

Sebin: When creating “Junk Food,” we put a lot of thought into which member’s voice suited which part and which choreography matched each member best. I think “Junk Food” really captures each member’s character perfectly.

We just had AAPI Month; as a part of the diaspora, what are your aspirations for the AAPI music community and yourself as AAPI artists?

Yechan: I hope more artists can connect and collaborate freely, with plenty of opportunities to perform in various places. In addition, we’ll also work hard to bring you new music. Even though there are many languages in the world, I hope music can help us comfort and understand each other, creating a more harmonious society.

I’d like to ask Hangyeom: How did Jazz for Two! happen? Any shooting anecdotes or memories that you’d like to share? Are there any other acting projects on the horizon?

Hangyeom: Just when I wanted to try acting, I came across the wonderful project Jazz for Two and decided to take on the challenge. There’s a funny moment from the shoot that didn’t make it into the drama; we were filming a playful scene with Tae-yi returning to school after a few days off, and my pants tore right then. I ended up doing an ad-lib with my torn pants! (laughs) I’m looking forward to taking on more roles in various projects, so please stay tuned.

Coming back to the group: usually with bands, their longevity is not always guaranteed. What’s your take on this?

Xen: Honestly, even among family and lifelong friends, conflicts are inevitable. Therefore, maintaining a relationship without any conflict, especially with people we’ve met after our values have been shaped, is naturally challenging. We’re all different individuals, after all. But the reason I’m confident in Omega X’s future is that we are united by a shared dream. We have fans who support us, people who love our music, and people who work tirelessly for us, which has kept us going and given us the courage to keep moving forward. We’ve faced many challenges, but they’ve only made us stronger. We’ve come this far because we trust, rely on, and support each other. The future is unpredictable, but with the bond 11 members share, I believe we can overcome anything.

Of course, as mentioned at our recent encore concert, some members will soon fulfill their mandatory military service as South Korean men, so we might not be able to perform as 11 for a while. However, that’s just temporary. Please continue to support Omega X in the future.

Where do you see yourself in the coming years? How do you want people to remember Omega X?

Taedong: In a few years, I believe Omega X will have grown even more and become even cooler. I hope we are remembered as a group that can provide solace and strength to others.

What new projects are you working on?

Jehyun: We’re working hard and preparing to see our fans and provide them with great music as well as activities in various fields. Please continue to give us your love and support. We’ll work hard to ensure that your wait is worth it, and we can’t wait to meet you all!

Your message to fans in India and anything else you’d like to share with us.

Jaehan: It’s a pleasure to share our news through the Rolling Stone India interview. Thank you for reading our interview all the way through. To all the For X in India, thank you for always being a source of strength for us. Let’s keep filling our days with laughter and happiness! I hope every day is new and exciting for all of us, and we’ll always be together. I promise!