The K-pop scene is no stranger to scandals, and OMEGA X, a promising boy band, is currently at the epicenter of one. Less than a year after their last controversy, the 11-member group is dealing with another one, putting their reputation and future at risk.
Seven months ago, OMEGA X parted ways with Spire Entertainment. Now, the latter is saying that the former conspired with their new agency, IPQ Entertainment, to pre-terminate their exclusive contract—a serious offense known as artist tampering. This information came to light when a K-pop YouTuber called In Ji-woong drew parallels between OMEGA X and another group, FIFTY FIFTY, who faced similar accusations.
원조 피프티 오메가X의 거짓말 밝힙니다
The word “tampering” comes from sports, where teams secretly persuade athletes from rival teams to join them. Though not illegal, the entertainment industry considers it a very foul thing to do. The FIFTY FIFTY case, where the “Cupid” hitmakers allegedly tried to sign with Warner Music Korea in secret, mirrors the accusations against OMEGA X.
The situation became escalated when In Ji-woong and journalist-turned-YouTuber Lee Jin-ho engaged in a public spat. While the former sided with Spire Entertainment and its ex-CEO Kang Seong-hee, the latter defended IPQ Entertainment and its CEO, Yoon Hye-young. Kang maintains she was unjustly portrayed as abusive, while Yoon counters that Kang’s violent tendencies towards OMEGA X were court-verified.
이진호 기자가 피프티 피프티는 까고 오메가x는 옹호하는 이유
OMEGA X and their tumultuous journey
OMEGA X’s journey has been quite tumultuous. The 11-member boy group, consisting of Hangyeom, Hyuk, Hwichan, Jaehan, Jehyun, Junghoon, Kevin, Sebin, Taedong, Xen, and Yechan, debuted under Spire Entertainment in June 2021. They moved to IPQ Entertainment after allegations surfaced of physical and sexual violence by Spire’s CEO. This switch was marked by a fan-released recording, capturing a heated altercation between member Jaehan and Spire’s Kang during their U.S. tour.
Adding another layer to this issue, some claim that OMEGA X members intentionally provoked Kang to capture her outbursts as evidence to justify their departure. Furthermore, there are allegations that they had been in discussions with IPQ Entertainment, previously known as Picturesque, before these controversies. Picturesque, known for producing erotic films, had produced a boys’ love drama featuring OMEGA X members Jaehan and Yechan. The drama’s postponement due to the members’ involvement in the controversy led IPQ to step in.
OMEGA X (오메가엑스) | 2nd Debut Anniversary Mini Fan-Meeting Behind Clip
The broader issue highlighted by this is the standard seven-year exclusive contracts that artists typically sign with their agencies. Established in 2009, following a dispute involving boy band TVXQ, these contracts are now seen as outdated and skewed in favor of artists. Industry insiders, like Lee Nam-kyung of the Korea Management Federation, are advocating for revisions to protect companies from situations like tampering.
Despite all the back-and-forth, both IPQ and Spire Entertainment want to resolve things as soon as possible. Meanwhile, OMEGA X will drop new material by year’s end. As fans await the band’s next move, the industry grapples with the implications of these events. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Despite this new controversy, the group remains committed to their fans and their work. They recently held a concert in Japan. Source: Twitter/@OmegaX_jp.