OMEGA X' label IPQ revealed the alleged truth behind the sexual assault CCTV footage involving member Hwichan and former Spire Entertainment CEO Kang Seong Hee.

Yesterday, OMEGA X' former agency Spire Entertainment released CCTV footage taken on July 11, 2022 of a man alleged to be OMEGA X' Hwichan sexually assaulting Kang Seong Hee. IPQ then denied the allegations, stating it was Kang Seong Hee who was the perpetrator of sexual misconduct along with verbal abuse, physical violence, harassment, and forced drinking. The label further claimed it was also Kang Seong Hee who forced Hwichan to make physical contact with her.

On March 20 KST, IPQ released an official statement refuting the sexual assault allegations and released damning text messages. According to the label, the drinking party revealed in the CCTV footage was not for the members enlisting in the military as claimed by current Spire Entertainment CEO Hwang Sung Woo, who is Kang Seong Hee's husband, but was a forced meeting by the executives of the label. Though Spire Entertainment claimed Hwichan had expressed his worries about enlistment on July 11, 2022 and wanted to delay his enlistment date, the issue date for his military enlistment warrant was August 1, 2022. According to IPQ, the drinking party was to console Kang Seong Hee, who was allegedly upset the OMEGA X members didn't understand her efforts to increase album sales. A text message chain also reveals CEO Hwang Sung Woo woke up the members who were sleeping in the dorm to make them drink. 

Member 1: Sebin is sleeping
Member 2: Okay
Member 3: What about CEO Kang?
Member 2: We're by GS convenience store
Member 1: CEO Kang is talking to Hwichan right now
Member 4: CEO Kang is talking to Hwichan at the label
Member 1: Oh no haha
Member 5: The Chairman is saying he'll wake everyone up to make them drink?
Member 1: Ah. Go to sleep, everyone. I'll go by myself today. 

IPQ also stated the forced drinking parties were frequent, and the members suffered verbal abuse, physical assault, gaslighting, demands for affection and physical contact, and coercion from the senior executives. The members are said to have suffered extreme psychological stress over the years, and because of the fear of retaliation from their label in the form of album activities or restrictions on promotions, they complied with Kang Seong Hee's demands. Furthermore, Hwang Sung Woo is said to have forced the members to drink at 2AM on July 11, 2022 despite them sleeping and continued to force them to drink at the dorm. When Hwichan and Kang Seong Hee were then alone together at the label building, she demanded physical contact from him, and he followed her demands due to the fear of verbal abuse or physical assault. According to IPQ, there is no sign of refusal from Kang Seong Hee or force on the part of Hwichan in the CCTV footage.

On the same night, Kang Seong Hee also took a photo of Hwichan, who fell asleep drunk, and sent it to their manager. She then stated she would personally take him to the dorm, which IPQ alleges is at odds to her story of being a victim of sexual assault. Even after Hwichan fell asleep, Kang Seong Hee is said to have continued to yell at him to wake up and demand physical contact from him. As Hwichan felt ashamed due to the inappropriate physical contact he had with a label executive similar in age to his own parents, he fled to the first floor and tripped, sustaining injuries. Kang Seong Hee then came towards him and behaved strangely, stepping on his head and dancing in front of him, which caused him to run to the restroom in fear. The former CEO continued to follow him and shout after him, and the incident is said to have continued past 5AM. Worried about Hwichan, his manager and member Kevin reportedly came to the label at 5:45AM when they found Kang Seong Hee taking a photo of herself in the lobby and Hwichan hiding in a locked bathroom. 

IPQ further stated it's false the members plotted together because they felt their future promotions were up in the air following the incident on July 11, 2022. The label alleged the abuse by Kang Seong Hee and Hwang Sung Woo towards the OMEGA X members was prolonged and continued, and it was not fabricated as an excuse to cancel their exclusive contracts with Spire Entertainment. 

IPQ also confirmed the assault case against member Jaehan at a Los Angeles hotel in October of 2022 is being forwarded to prosecution. In conclusion, IPQ asked Spire Entertainment to provide more evidence and release complete CCTV footage from July 11 and the day after with no edits. The label stated, "We express deep concern for the unjust situation faced by the OMEGA X members, and we'll make every effort to protect the rights and honor of our artists, including member Hwichan, through all legal means," adding, "We hope for a speedy resolution to the unjust suffering the members endured. The members endured abnormal behavior under Spire Entertainment for 2 years and refused to give up on their dreams. We're confident the truth will eventually be revealed."

As previously reported, OMEGA X claimed to be the victims of physical and sexual abuse as well as forced drinking by Kang Seong Hee, and they filed a lawsuit to end their exclusive contract, winning the case in January of last year. Following the allegations of sexual assault, OMEGA X gave an update on their legal proceedings against Spire Entertainment and stated an investigation found an "assault had taken place. As a result, Kang Seong Hee will be prosecuted."