The Trials of Omega X: A Complete Timeline
The group held a press conference today detailing the alleged physical, verbal and sexual assault at the hands of their label’s CEO and what they plan to do next. Here’s a summation of the entire situation
Omega X debuted in 2021 and is a project group comprising idols who initially debuted in other groups and/or have participated in K-pop survival shows. Photo: Promotional image
It’s been just a few weeks since the world first learned about the shocking allegations of abuse and assault against South Korean group Omega X by their label Spire Entertainment, and in a press conference earlier today, the band announced they have filed for termination of their contract with the agency and will be taking further legal action against Spire Entertainment’s ex-CEO, Kang Seonghee.
All 11 members of the group – Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Hangyeom, Taedong, Xen, Jehyun, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk and Yechan – were present at the press conference along with their legal representatives and took the opportunity to outline the harrowing abuse they had allegedly experienced. Omega X debuted in 2021 and is a project group comprising idols who initially debuted in other groups and/or have participated in K-pop survival shows. Most of their former groups have either disbanded or are currently inactive, so for the members of Omega X, this was a hard-won second shot at finding success in the Korean music industry.
News about the abuse first came to light on October 23rd, 2022, when a fan of Omega X posted an account of an incident they had allegedly witnessed after attending the group’s concert in Los Angeles. The fan explained they had been waiting for a food order to be delivered when they saw a woman (now assumed to be ex-CEO Kang) shouting at the group and seemingly physically assaulting them. The fan also posted an audio clip of the incident on Twitter, stating, “I saw the CEO of the kids company hitting the kids. My hands are really shaking, I don’t know what to do.”
In the clip, the woman in question raises her voice, saying, “Have you ever done that for me? When I was going through such a hard time, did he ever take care of me?” When a member allegedly collapsed at that point, she yelled, “I’ve collapsed before! Get up!”
As both the media and fans began to dig further, a separate Twitter thread from October 4th unveiled that this was not the first instance of abuse against the group; in the thread, a user claimed their mother had allegedly witnessed a female staff member (also assumed to be Kang) yelling at Omega X in public in Chile – at a hotel and then again at an airport. It was so bad that the Twitter user’s mother felt compelled to intervene and stop the woman from yelling at the members.
On October 24th, South Korean media outlet SBS News dropped an exposé on Spire Entertainment and Kang, releasing a series of video clips that showcase the former CEO’s unhinged behavior and abusive remarks. The clips from SBS feature Kang and Omega X at a parking lot in L.A. where she yells, “Do you think losers like you could be loved by people? Are you big? You didn’t come this far on your own.” When the group’s leader Jaehan collapsed to the ground, Kang berated him, saying, “Are you that exhausted? Kim Jaehan. If you’re always sick like this, stop being a singer.” In the clip, she also accuses him of ‘acting’ and directs the conversation around herself, asking the members if they have ever bothered helping her when she’s collapsed. A second video clip later recorded at the group’s hotel sees Kang grabbing Jaehan by his collar and pushing him to the floor as his fellow members attempt to shield him from her.
SBS News also shared a telephonic conversation they’d had with Kang where she denied all the allegations of abuse. “The person who posted the clip on social media, they’re more of an anti-fan against the company,” she claimed, adding, “I just asked them if they have ever helped me when I was having a hard time. An assault? No way.”
On the same day, Spire Entertainment released a statement claiming that the situation had been ‘resolved’ after speaking with Omega X. The statement, as translated by news outlet Soompi, reads:
“Hello.
This is Spire Entertainment, the agency of boy group Omega X.
First, we bow our heads in deep apology for having caused concern through this unpleasant news. Omega X wrapped up their first world tour “CONNECT : Don’t give up” with their LA concert in the United States on October 22 [local time]. The incident that has caused a controversy after being revealed on social media occurred after a meal that took place after the end of [Omega X’s] tour, which started on September 16 in Mexico’s Guadalajara and lasted over a month until their LA concert in the United States.
At the time, having completed the tour, the Omega X members and the agency were talking about how hard they had respectively worked up until then, in order to make plans for the future. In the process, they wound up airing their grievances against one another, and as they became worked up due to their emotions, they began raising their voices. The conversation continued even after the meal, but by continuing their discussions, the members and the agency have currently resolved all their misunderstandings, and they ended the conversation by saying that they wanted to move forward while being considerate [to] each other.
The past month, during which Omega X and the agency went on tour, and during which we personally met and communicated with the fans who love us, was a deeply meaningful time that can never be replaced. Everyone worked hard together with the same goal in order to keep our promise to our fans, and we bow our heads in apology for ending it on a bad note.
Once again, our agency would like to take this opportunity to thank the fans who give this much love to Omega X. Just as their group’s name bears the meaning, ‘From the first time we meet our fans to the final moment in which we achieve our dreams, we will realize a wide array of values,’ our agency will protect the values created by Omega X and their fans up until the very end.
Once again, we apologize for having given you cause for concern.”
Fans were immediately suspicious about the sincerity of Spire Entertainment’s claims of resolution and their concerns were proven right when SBS News released a new article on October 24th, reporting that Omega X’s tickets back to South Korea had been cancelled by the label, leaving the members stranded in the U.S. after the last date of their tour. SBS then reported on October 25th that Omega X had to reportedly pay for their flight tickets back to Korea out of their own pockets with help from their parents. Spire Entertainment denied allegations that they had done so to spite the group, with Kang stating, “We were discussing cancellation three days ago because the seats on the plane where the members would board could be mixed with fans.”
On November 6th, Omega X created an Instagram account independent from Spire Entertainment and released their own statement on the situation. Prior to this, they had remained silent since the allegations first arose in October and had made no posts on any of their official accounts on the situation. The new Instagram account seems to be managed by the 11 members and, under a photo of all their hands together, the band finally stated:
“Hello.
We created this small space for communication because we wanted to thank the fans who love us and the people who are cheering us on, and we also wanted to directly inform you of the current situation with our own mouths, as the parties involved in this incident.
Under pressure from Spire Entertainment, we—the members of [Omega X]—previously signed an agreement that ‘if we upload posts to social media without consulting the company, we will have to take both civil and criminal legal responsibility.’ Therefore, we ask for your understanding in regards to the fact that even though we wanted to resume communicating with our fans as soon as possible, we had to be cautious until we had figured out our position on Spire Entertainment.
Although there were happy times after we began our group activities together, we also had to endure painful times as well. Additionally, when our suffering recently became known to the world, we were worried that everything we’ve accomplished up until now would evaporate and go up in smoke. However, we have now decided to put our fears behind us and muster courage together.
Our group was a second opportunity for our eleven members, who gathered together after rising from difficult times of despair and refusing to give up on our dreams.
The only thing that gave us the strength not to give up on our dreams and to take on a new challenge was the fans who wait for us, believe in us, and cheer us on. Thanks to our fans, we were able to endure the past two years. There were days when we received such unwarranted treatment from our agency that it made us want to cry, but our only source of strength that made it possible for us to endure it all was remembering the cheers of our fans and reading their messages of support over and over as we tried to fall asleep.
Just as we have up until now, we plan to continue to chase our dreams up until the very end. We will stand before our fans once again with good music and performances. Our eleven members, who all have the same goal, and our fans, who share our dream, are the most precious things in the world to us, and we never want to lose them again.
As many people worried and waited for us, we apologize for the delay in providing this update. Thank you for reading our sincere feelings, which we mustered up the courage to share, up until the very end.
Thank you.
Sincerely, OX”
The band did not name any particular individuals in their statement and promised they will return with new music together.
On November 7th, Spire Entertainment responded to Omega X’s statement by apologizing and revealing that the ‘CEO responsible for this matter’ had resigned. However, they did not mention Kang’s name or the names of any other staff possibly responsible for the abuse:
“Hello, this is Spire Entertainment.
First of all, we deeply apologize to all Omega X members, families, fans, and everyone whose feelings were hurt by an unfortunate event that has happened recently.
Spire Entertainment takes the full responsibility and announce that the CEO who’s responsible for this matter has resigned. We’d also like to apologize for not responding well and disappointing many fans with inadequate response to the situation.
We will take in all your advices and comments to do our best to prevent this kind of things from happening again and focus on providing a better environment for the members so that they can focus only on the artists’ activities. Please continue supporting Omega X, and we promise to try our best to be back with better news.
Thank you.”
This was not to be the end of the matter; on November 11th, SBS News released more evidence of assault and mistreatment they found in the form of video clips and text messages. The evidence outlined more unhinged behavior, emotional blackmail, and ego trips from Kang where she would allegedly harass the members outside of working hours and force members diagnosed with Covid-19 to perform onstage at concerts during the tour. Group chat screenshots obtained by SBS News shows Hwang Seongwoo – Kang’s husband and chairman of Spire Entertainment – had also reportedly forced the members to hide their positive Covid tests and perform. At the time of the concert, Spire had released a statement to inform audiences that members Jehyun, Kevin, Hyuk and Yechan would not be performing in Santiago due to ‘health concerns,’ but did not disclose they were infected with Covid. In a video clip, leader Jaehan can be heard voicing his discomfort at hiding the truth, but Kang silences him by threatening to cancel the entire tour. According to SBS, the label did not respond to their reporters’ questions and calls regarding this incident.
Finally, on November 14th, Omega X released a statement that they would be holding a press conference on November 16th to explain the ongoing situation and the abuse they have faced in their own words.
In the press conference, which took place today at the Seoul Bar Association, Jaehan stated, “The reason why we couldn’t help but endure and keep quiet about all of this until now was because we were afraid that our last chance [in the music industry] would disappear if we didn’t. For the sake of our fans who trusted us, supported us, and waited for us, we had to endure. As the eldest member and the leader, seeing the members struggling and getting exhausted, I was afraid and worried that our dreams would collapse. I wanted to protect Omega X.”
The group’s attorney, Noh Jongeon, said, “We have told the agency that we will be terminating [Omega X’s] exclusive contract, which will lose its legal effect starting today,” adding, “We will press charges and demand compensation.” Noh also said, “We hope that these young men’s courage rings an alarming bell to the wrongs that have been ailing this society and help others overcome any mistreatment.”
The members said that Kang’s abuse also included frequent sexual harassment as she would touch them inappropriately on their faces and thighs. Jaehan claimed, “CEO Kang Seonghee used to call us after our training, force us to drink and sexually harass us by making sexual remarks or touching our thighs and faces.” He added, “She would threaten us that we should ‘grovel’ if we wanted to remain as Omega X and that she would either kill us or kill herself if we didn’t.”
The members further revealed that if they didn’t attend these ‘drinking sessions,’ they would not be allowed to release music. Member Sebin confirmed, “They said there would be no next album if we refused to attend drinking gatherings.” The members also shared they are currently receiving treatment for the trauma and anxiety they experienced at Spire and at the hands of Kang. Member Hangyeom said, “I was always scared about when she may call. I am currently going through medical treatment, but the sound of the phone vibrating or ringing gives me the same sense of anxiety all over again.”
Member Yechan further described the experiences of being gaslighted and dismissed, and the members’ urge to protect each other in the wake of all the abuse. “We felt like fools when we realized that we were being gaslighted,” he stated. “When the older members were called for drinks, I wanted to tag along and help. We got in the habit of just laughing it over with jokes or trying to forget it.” Several of the members broke down in tears while recalling these experiences.
Omega X revealed they had not received any apology from Spire Entertainment in the wake of the controversy and had instead been threatened further. “After the L.A. incident, we feel we have yet to receive a sincere apology,” stated member Junghoon. “Instead [the CEO] brought up our military duties and threatened us with a falsified statement of accounts. I felt that it was impossible to speak [to them].”
Junghoon’s statement backs up a previous report by SBS News that alleged Spire Entertainment had demanded each member of Omega X pay between ₩300 to ₩400 million (between ₹1.8 crores to ₹2.4 crores) as a ‘settlement’ for the debt they owe the label. At the press conference, Noh revealed that Spire had falsified documents to come up with these numbers.
Regarding immediate action, Omega X’s attorneys shared that the band will be pressing charges against the former CEO for threatening, assaulting and exploiting the members. The focus is currently on nullifying Omega X’s exclusive contract with Spire Entertainment, and the lawyers confirmed they have filed for a seizure of contract and will demand monetary compensation from Spire for damages later.
According to a November 14th report by TopStarNews, Omega X have also filed copyright claims for their group name in Korean (‘오메가엑스’) and English (‘OMEGA X’), their fandom name – ‘FOR X’ – and the term ‘PROTECT OMEGA X’ that was created by their global fandom to bring attention to the band’s situation. As of now, the band plans to stay together and hopefully continue making music and promoting as Omega X after the legal proceedings end.
Various K-pop fandoms, journalists, influencers and artists have rallied behind Omega X to show their support for the group. Most recently, fourth-generation boy band Just B showed their solidarity by postponing their comeback press conference – which was scheduled to take place at the same time as Omega X’s press conference today – by a few hours.
Update, December 7th, 2022
Omega X attended the first trial in the case against their label Spire Entertainment at the 21st Civil Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court. The 11 members–Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Hangyeom, Taedong, Jen, Jehyeon, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk and Yechan– filed for an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts with Spire Entertainment. The group cited various reasons for the suspension of the contract including verbal, physical and sexual abuse, gaslighting, no monetary compensation and a lack of trust between the group and label.
Both Omega X’s team of lawyers and Spire Entertainment’s lawyers argued each incident one by one, presenting their clients’ respective sides of the story and evidence to back up their claims. Regarding the allegations of sexual abuse in particular, Omega X lawyers stated, “We plan to sue after the injunction lawsuit is over. Criminal cases are a part that takes more time, so we will prepare and proceed.”
The hearing concluded with a closing statement from member Hangyeom. “The 11 of us are a team with the intention of trying to do well again after failing once,” he said. “That’s why we were so desperate, and even if we were treated unfairly, we wanted to succeed even if we had to endure it. It hurts my heart so much that things had to turn out like this. We hope that this will not happen to artists and trainees in the industry in the future. We will continue to try to make good music and bring good performances.”
Update, January 11th, 2023
After fighting a battle that lasted nearly two months, Omega X have announced their victory in the case with the suspension of their exclusive contracts with Spire Entertainment.
SBS News – the Korean news platform that brought the entire case to light last year – reported today that the 21st Civil Affairs Department of the Seoul Eastern District Court had ruled in favor of Omega X and filed the injunction to suspend the 11 members’ contracts with Spire Entertainment. The court explained that the judgment was made after they determined that it would not be possible to maintain trust between the label and the members after everything that had transpired.
The court also took into consideration the abuse Omega X had faced from Spire Entertainment’s former CEO Kang Seonghee, and acknowledged that the relationship between the group and the CEO was “irreparable.” Kang was named as the main perpetrator in the instances of physical, verbal and sexual abuse, as well as “violating the members’ personal rights” when she cancelled the group’s flight tickets back home to Seoul after the conclusion of their U.S. tour – leaving the members stranded overseas.
The band also posted the announcement of the contract suspension on Instagram to notify their fandom, For X, stating:
“Hello, this is Omega X.
We have won the injunction against the agency today to suspend the validity of our exclusive contract with them.
Thanks to all of your support that you extended to us which gave us bravery, we were able to achieve this result.
Thank you for your concern and support all this time.
We love all the For X so much, thank you.
We will repay you with better music and great performances.
Thank you.”
For a more detailed look into the results of the group’s case against Spire Entertainment, the court’s stance on the matter, statements from the members, and what all of this means for Omega X’s future, take a look at our latest report on the story.
This is a developing story and may be subject to changes as more updates roll in.
