On November 7, 2022, SPIRE Entertainment announced the resignation of their CEO following the growing controversy concerning OMEGA X’s mistreatment and abuse.
Evidence of the group’s abuse under the hand of the now-resigned CEO first came to light on October 4, 2022, where a series of Tweets recounted a woman yelling at OMEGA X in public. Another fan supported this with more evidence on October 23, 2022, where it could be heard that the CEO was yelling at the members and hitting one of them.
After the posts had gone viral, the agency initially stated that they and the boy group have “resolved all their misunderstandings,” and the now former CEO denied all allegations made against them.
On November 6, 2022, OMEGA X opened their very own Instagram account not connected to SPIRE Entertainment and broke their silence over the matter. They first explained why it took them so long to finally speak up about what had happened to them, and later on thanked their fans for their never-ending support and talked about their plans for the future.
In response to OMEGA X’s statement, SPIRE Entertainment posted an official apology and announced the resignation of their CEO.
Their full statement in English is as follows:
“Hello, this is SPIRE Entertainment
First of all, we deeply apologize to all OMEGA X members, families, fans, and everyone whose feelings were hurt by an unfortunate event that has happened recently.
SPIRE Entertainment takes the full responsibility and announce that the CEO who’s responsible for this matter has resigned. We’d also like to apologize for not responding well and disappointing many fans with inadequate response to the situation.
We will take in all your advices [sic] and comments to do our best to prevent this kind of things from happening again and focus on providing a better environment for the members so that they can focus only on the artists’ activities. Please continuing supporting OMEGA X, and we promise to try our best to be back with better news.
Thank you.”
Xs, the fans of the boy group all rejoiced because of the news, and all felt relieved knowing that their abuser has been rightfully dealt with.
https://twitter.com/hangyecms/status/1589635531536621569?s=20&t=kwLikR51nDH-W2md81px2Q
Spire Entertainment announced the official resignation of CEO Kang, who abused Omega X, on their fancafe. #PROTECTOMEGAX pic.twitter.com/MTYLBF4JKI
— 에린 ♡ 휘찬 (@hwicetag) November 7, 2022
going against your company, using the tags, confirming the abuse and mistreatment you have gone thru takes alot of heart and bravery. omega x i am so proud of you. i cannot stress how proud of you i am. #PROTECTOMEGAX
— sunwoos full toothie supporter (@lovyousunwoo) November 6, 2022
We aren't finished yet. We don't know if Spire has talked to the members, if they've been properly apologized to, if they/their families have been reimbursed for the flights back to Korea. A small win is a win, but this isn't over yet. Keep fighting for Omega X. #PROTECTOMEGAX
— 에린 ♡ 휘찬 (@hwicetag) November 7, 2022
Omega X's new communication account where they posted their own statement regarding Spire's mistreatment has reached 60k followers 21 hours after opening.
That's over 2/3rds the following of the member's official account. #PROTECTOMEGAX pic.twitter.com/wZ0qq0wC8o
— 에린 ♡ 휘찬 (@hwicetag) November 7, 2022
we love you so much 🤍 #OMEGA_X #PROTECTOMEGAX pic.twitter.com/6HcqwNsnmf
— 제현 (@j6hyun) November 6, 2022
SPIRE Entertainment releases a statement regarding alleged physical and verbal abuse saying that CEO Kang has resigned and will take full responsibility. #PROTECTOMEGAX #OMEGAX pic.twitter.com/WGBus7qk55
— 제현 (@j6hyun) November 7, 2022
WE LOVE Jaehan 🐱
WE LOVE Hwichan 🐰
WE LOVE Sebin 🐺
WE LOVE Hangyeom 🐶
WE LOVE Taedong 🦮
WE LOVE Xen 🐤
WE LOVE Jehyun 🦊
WE LOVE Kevin 🐣
WE LOVE Junghoon 🐹
WE LOVE Hyuk 🐏
WE LOVE Yechan 🐨
☀ OMEGA X ARE LOVED ☀#AlwaysHereForOmegaX#오메가엑스와_늘_함께해요 pic.twitter.com/ZaIbcls0DS— rita🌙 (@hoonyversee) November 8, 2022
We get that Kang is not spire ceo anymore but have you lifted up sns ban? Why there's no update until now? Have you reimbursed their flight tix before? Have the boys received your apology? There's still a lot of things unclear here#AlwaysHereForOmegaX #오메가엑스와_늘_함께해요
— Sofiah🪷 (@01gyeomhoon) November 8, 2022
you must realize none of us are on your side here, @SPIRE_ENT. we do not trust you and we expect you to do right by Omega X. fire the chairman. apologize to the members. reimburse them financially. TREAT THEM BETTER. BE BETTER. #AlwaysHereForOmegaX #오메가엑스와_늘_함께해요
— sara ☀️ (@yechansbestie) November 8, 2022
forx is here to support you forever omega x. we are waiting to hear more from you. we want the best for you. keep being strong! we love you and believe you above spire and anyone! we stand with you and for you! #AlwaysHereForOmegaX #오메가엑스와_늘_함께해요
— kassidy #PROTECTOMEGAX (@bananakassii) November 8, 2022
OMEGA X truly deserve better. Imagine being subject to all those years of abuse, on top of the already grueling idol industry in South Korea. This marks a brand-new beginning for all the boys, and they’ll be sure to flourish all the more in the future.
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