Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week features an interview with Omega X. Also, if you love reading Fan Chant, don’t forget to subscribe to my companion newsletter to get it delivered right to your inbox!
For anyone looking for a good underdog story, look no further than Omega X, an 11-member K-pop act who recently returned with an EP titled iykyk. From the start, Omega X’s story has been one of resilience — the members of the group were formed from acts that had previously disbanded. Omega X was their second chance at K-pop success.
This time last this year, though, social media was flooded with a slew of deeply upsetting stories involving the members of the band experiencing alleged abuse and harassment, all of which came to a head when a video circulated showing a representative of their management company in a physical altercation with a distressed member. Following this moment, Omega X were left in America, and claim that they were required to use personal funds and money from their parents to make their way back to South Korea. Spire Entertainment’s then-CEO, Kang Seong-hee, quickly resigned.
This sparked a legal battle for the members, who have since successfully extricated themselves from their contracts with Spire Entertainment and have made the decision to move forward together. It’s an admirable story from a group whose members ranged from 21 to 27 years old at the time these grim details were first uncovered, especially in a moment when renewed energy has appeared in the conversation around the treatment of K-pop idols and the much-needed protections for these young artists.
It’s a joy to confirm that the music these guys are working on is also really fun. All the members are involved with the group’s creative process, and their latest single, “JUNK FOOD,” is a particularly happy release, considering the road Omega X walked to reach this point. Watch the music video for the release below, and read on for an interview with the members.
