Omega X terminates contract with Spire Entertainment following abuse allegations

Members of Omega X speak during a press conference at the Seoul Bar Association's Human Rights Room in southern Seoul on Wednesday. [HALEY YANG]

Boy band Omega X announced the termination of its exclusive contract with Spire Entertainment during a press conference held at the Seoul Bar Association’s Human Rights Room in southern Seoul on Wednesday.

Allegations first surfaced in October when a fan claimed they witnessed the members being verbally and physically abused by the wife of the agency's then-head after a concert.

The band members during the press conference alleged that the wife of the former head of Spire Entertainment, Kang Seong-hee, forced members to drink alcohol and sexually harassed them.

"Members have been suffering from anxiety and some are going through medical treatment," said Jaehan.

They also claimed that Kang would threaten them to "grovel." They said they felt pressured to remain in the group because they felt it was their last chance to make it in the entertainment industry.

Kang's husband, Hwang Sung-woo, stepped down from his role as head of Spire Entertainment last week.

"Something unimaginable happened in 2022," said No Jong-eon, an attorney from LawFirm S representing Omega X. "We have told the agency that we will be terminating [the members'] exclusive contract, which will lose its legal effect starting today. We will press charges and demand compensation."

"We hope that these young men's courage rings an alarm bell to the wrongs that have been ailing this society and helps others overcome any mistreatment," No added.

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 LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]