Boy band Omega X to hold press conference to address controversy with its agency

K-pop

Published: 14 Nov. 2022, 14:43 Updated: 16 Nov. 2022, 16:25

Boy band Omega X to hold press conference to address controversy with its agency

Boy band Omega X [NEWS1]

Boy band Omega X will hold a press conference on Wednesday to address the recent controversy with its agency Spire Entertainment.

According to an audio file circulating the internet, Omega X members were victims to its entertainment agency's mistreatment and possibly physical abuse.

"The band will hold a press conference to explain the current situation and its direction in the future," said the law firm representing Omega X in a statement Monday. "We will discuss in more detail at the press conference."

The allegations first surfaced among fans on Twitter when a person claiming to be a fan of the boy band recorded and uploaded an audio file of an alleged altercation between the band members and the agency.

The file features a female voice, initially presumed to be the head of Spire Entertainment, who yells in Korean, “Who do you think you are?” and “You, stand up.” She was later revealed to be Kang Seong-hee, the wife of CEO Hwang Seong-woo.

A male voice also says, "We're one step away from collapsing." There is thud, followed by someone crying.

The person who uploaded the file also claims he or she witnessed the incident, and added that a female employee of Spire pushed and struck the members.

The agency issued a statement on Oct. 24, explaining that the situation did become "emotional" and people "raised voices" as members were talking about the things they’ve been upset about to the agency staff. However, it said that "all misunderstandings were resolved" and they "ended the conversation by agreeing to be more considerate toward each other and to proceed forward."

The agency did not address the allegations regarding physical altercations.

But when the controversy continued, Spire announced on Omega X's official website on Nov. 7 that the CEO of the agency had voluntarily resigned.

“We deeply feel all the responsibilities for this incident,” the agency stated. “The head of our firm, who caused disgrace during the boy band’s tour, resigned voluntarily.”

Omega X debuted under Spire in June 2021 and has released songs such as “Vamos” (2021), “Love Me Like” (2022) and “Play Dumb” (2022).

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]