Omega X member Hwichan has been officially cleared of sexual assault allegations made against his former agency’s CEO. On December 17, his current agency, IPQ, announced that prosecutors decided not to indict him, citing insufficient evidence. The charge involved claims that Hwi-chan sexually assaulted former Spire Entertainment CEO Kang.
Background of the Allegations
The allegations first surfaced after a press conference held by Spire Entertainment on March 19, 2024. The agency claimed that on July 10, 2022, while Hwichan was being comforted before his military enlistment, he had sexually assaulted former CEO Kang.
At the time, Spire released CCTV footage to support their claim, but the clips were heavily edited, and the original recordings were never submitted to the authorities during the investigation.
From the beginning, the idol and IPQ requested the submission and verification of the original CCTV footage. The absence of unedited evidence played a key role in the prosecution’s decision not to indict.
Hwichan’s Experience and Legal Struggles
Over the past year and ten months, Hwichan, his fellow Omega X members, and their families faced significant personal and professional damage due to the allegations. IPQ stated,
Hwichan has endured long-term social stigma and severe mental distress due to allegations that were not true, and the harm even extended to the members of Omega X and their families.
Despite the non-indictment, former CEO Kang has continued to file objections and expand the case. IPQ has pledged to continue protecting his reputation through legal channels and has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
The 29-year-old K-pop star had previously faced abuse from his former CEO, including verbal harassment, physical assault, and sexual harassment. In 2023, he successfully obtained a court injunction to suspend his exclusive contract with Spire and subsequently moved to IPQ in July of the same year.
Why Hwichan Was Cleared
Prosecutors based their decision on the lack of verifiable evidence. The edited CCTV clips submitted were only a few seconds long and did not provide a clear or complete account of the alleged incident. The individual responsible for editing the footage failed to appear for questioning, and the original recordings were never reviewed.
Additionally, the court considered the established power dynamics between Hwichan and the former CEO. Given the history of abuse, any physical contact seen in the brief video clips could have occurred under pressure or coercion, which makes it difficult to classify as a criminal sexual offense. The Omega X member himself described the encounter as a moment of intense fear and humiliation.
Ongoing Legal Matters and Current Status
This ruling concludes the sexual assault case against Hwichan, allowing him to move forward with his career and personal life. He is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service through social service work and is expected to be discharged on April 3, 2026.
A separate investigation is ongoing against former CEO Kang. In May 2025, police referred her to prosecutors over allegations of indecent assault against seven Omega X members during a 2022 tour. She was also fined for physically assaulting member Jaehan in Los Angeles, a ruling she has appealed.
IPQ has emphasized, “The investigation confirmed that Hwichan did not commit any criminal acts. We hope that distorted claims and malicious accusations will no longer be repeated.”
