Omega X “Allegations of molesting female CEO? Hwichan was forced”

The agency IPQ stated on March 20th, “The CCTV footage from the drinking gathering was not held to alleviate the concerns of members who were facing military enlistment, but rather a gathering arranged by the high-ranking executives within the agency, as usual. We wish to inform you about the frequent demands for drinking gatherings by high-ranking executives, along with verbal and physical abuse, gaslighting, demands for skinship and expressions of affection, and coercive attitudes towards the members.“

On the previous day, Spire Ent, the former agency of Omega X, held a press conference at the Seongam Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Present at the scene were Spire’s CEO Hwang Sung-woo and lawyer Kim Tae-woo (from the law firm Jeha). The central figure of the incident, former CEO Kang, did not attend.

In 2022, Omega X shocked the public when they revealed that they had been subjected to habitual verbal abuse, physical violence and even sexual harassment by Kang, who was the CEO at the time. Following this revelation, Omega X won the preliminary injunction in the lawsuit for suspension of the exclusive contract, and subsequently signed an exclusive contract with their new agency IPQ.

Regarding this, CEO Hwang stated, “Omega X members claimed they were sexually harassed by former CEO Kang and proceeded with a criminal complaint. CCTV footage confirming the truth of this has been found. On the day of the gathering, which coincided with the issuing of military enlistment warrants for some members, they engaged in conversations related to enlistment while drinking.”

CEO Hwang explained, “CEO Kang was working late into the night preparing for tours in the US and Japan. She discovered the members’ excessive drinking and attempted to organize the gathering. Hwichan then requested a conversation, saying, ‘Since middle school, I’ve been striving to become a celebrity, and it’s distressing to have to go to the military. Please help me postpone it.’“

CEO Hwang continued, “CEO Kang responded ‘Let’s find a solution’ and was consoling him when suddenly Hwichan forcibly sexually harassed her. CEO Kang pushed him away with her hands and tried to calm the situation, but Hwichan persisted, forcibly removing CEO Kang’s upper garment and initiating physical contact.“

CEO Hwang claimed, “Feeling threatened, CEO Kang calmly handled the situation to avoid further provocation and ensured stability.” Additionally, Spire Ent released CCTV footage showing Hwichan touching CEO Kang’s chest and lifting her upper garment, but no evidence of CEO Kang resisting was found.

Responding to Spire’s claims, IPQ stated, “The drinking gathering that started on the evening of July 10th was not to listen to the members’ concerns, but rather a forced gathering to comfort former CEO Kang Seong-hee, who felt resentful for not being understood for her efforts to sell albums after release. During the drinking gathering that lasted until the early hours of July 11th, CEO Hwang displayed an attitude of trying to wake up the members sleeping at the accommodation to drink.”

Regarding the background of the drinking gathering, they emphasized, “In fact, Hwichan’s military enlistment warrant was issued on August 1st, not in July when the incident occurred. There was no warrant issued on the day of the gathering. This disproves the claim that the gathering was held to alleviate concerns about the military enlistment warrant.”

According to the evidence released by IPQ, Hwichan’s enlistment warrant was issued in August, not July when the incident took place.

IPQ stated, “Former CEO Kang and CEO Hwang forced the members to attend drinking gatherings multiple times during the contract period. Due to years of gaslighting and coercive attitudes, the members were under severe mental stress. They feared retaliation if they did not comply with former CEO Kang Seong-hee’s excessive demands for affection and skinship or if they did not show submissive attitudes, which could lead to exclusion from album activities or restrictions on styling and activities.”

Regarding the situation in the CCTV, they said, “Although the gathering was explained as being held to listen to Hwichan’s concerns about military enlistment, it does not make sense for Hwichan, who had not received a conscription notice, to express concerns about enlistment. Furthermore, according to the statements of members and the former manager who were present, the demand for a private conversation with Hwichan was made by former CEO Kang.”

Additionally, IPQ released evidence such as KakaoTalk messages from former CEO Kang to the members and photos of Hwichan taken by former CEO Kang.

Addressing the allegations of forced indecent act, they said, “After other members and staff left, former CEO Kang Seong-hee demanded excessive affection and skinship from Hwichan, who was left alone, and because there were no other witnesses, Hwichan felt pressured to comply due to fears of verbal abuse, threats and retaliation. The term ‘forced indecent act’ used by Spire Ent does not apply. The CCTV footage does not show evidence of Hwichan’s actions being coercive, and there is no indication that the other party expressed refusal.“

They continued, “After being subjected to repeated gaslighting for a long time, Hwichan, feeling pressure and fear from having to show excessive physical affection to a company CEO of similar age to his parents, fled to the first floor of the company building. During this process, Hwichan fell heavily on the stairs, unable to get up due to injury, and former CEO Kang approached him, stepped on his head and performed strange actions such as dancing in front of him.”

Lastly, IPQ pointed out “Based solely on the CCTV footage released, it is impossible to accept Spire’s claims, and not correcting them despite the lack of complete proof is an act more detrimental than anything to a celebrity continuing their professional activities under the gaze of countless viewers” and requested the release of CCTV footage from the day of the incident and the following day without editing, as well as all other materials that could provide a comprehensive context of the incident, such as footage from the conference room and corridor on the second floor as well as the entire first floor.