On December 17, 2025, a significant legal chapter concluded for the K-pop group OMEGA X as member Hwichan was officially cleared of sexual assault allegations made by his former agency, SPIRE Entertainment.
The ruling marks a major victory for the idol and his current management, IPQ, following a turbulent year of legal battles and public scrutiny.
The Prosecution’s Ruling: A Non-Indictment Decision
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office officially issued a non-indictment ruling regarding the criminal complaint filed against Hwichan.
According to the official statement released by OMEGA X’s current agency, IPQ, the prosecution found Hwichan “not guilty” due to a lack of evidence.
The investigation, which lasted several months, concluded that the claims brought forward by SPIRE Entertainment could not be substantiated.
This decision effectively ends the criminal proceedings that had been hanging over Hwichan’s career, providing him with a full legal clearance of the charges.
Origins of the Conflict: Retaliation and CCTV Controversy
The allegations first surfaced in March 2024, when SPIRE Entertainment held a highly publicized press conference.
During the event, the former agency accused Hwichan of indecently assaulting the company’s then-CEO (who is also the wife of the agency’s chairman).
To support their claims, SPIRE released a snippet of CCTV footage showing an interaction between the CEO and Hwichan in an office setting.
However, the narrative presented by SPIRE was immediately contested by IPQ and Hwichan.
OMEGA X’s Hwichan (Credit: Pinterest)
They argued that the footage was taken out of context and was part of a broader “smear campaign” designed to damage the reputation of the OMEGA X members.
IPQ asserted that the allegations were a retaliatory move by SPIRE Entertainment after the members successfully won a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contracts following revelations of physical and verbal abuse by the same CEO.
Transparency Issues and the Search for Truth
Throughout the investigation, a recurring point of contention was the transparency of the evidence.
IPQ and Hwichan’s legal team repeatedly petitioned investigative authorities to obtain the full, unedited CCTV footage from the night in question.
They argued that the full video would prove that Hwichan was actually a victim of coercion and pressure rather than an aggressor.
According to IPQ’s recent statement, despite their repeated requests, the “original” and “complete” footage was never fully provided for review by the accusers.
The prosecution’s final decision to drop the charges suggests that the evidence provided by SPIRE was insufficient to meet the legal threshold for a crime.
Moving Forward: A Fresh Start for OMEGA X
The clearing of Hwichan’s name is seen as a pivotal moment for OMEGA X. Since late 2022, the group has been embroiled in a high-profile struggle for independence, alleging that they were subjected to a toxic and abusive environment at SPIRE Entertainment.
With this legal hurdle now cleared, Hwichan and his bandmates are expected to focus entirely on their musical activities under IPQ.
Fans (FOR X) have expressed overwhelming support on social media, celebrating the ruling as a vindication of the members’ courage to speak out against their former management.
IPQ has signaled that they will continue to take a firm stance against any further attempts to defame their artists, prioritizing the protection and mental well-being of the OMEGA X members as they move forward in their careers.
On December 17, 2025, the K-pop industry was met with the somber news that the boy group ATBO has officially disbanded.
Their agency, IST Entertainment, released a comprehensive statement confirming that the management contracts for the members have been terminated, bringing the group’s three-year journey to an abrupt conclusion.
The Official Announcement from IST Entertainment
The announcement came as a shock to many fans, as IST Entertainment confirmed that after deep and long-standing discussions with the members, they had mutually agreed to end group activities.
The agency expressed its gratitude to the fans who have supported ATBO since their inception, stating that the decision was made with the future paths of each individual member in mind.
ATBO (Credit: Pinterest)
While the statement did not go into granular detail regarding the specific “why” behind the timing, it emphasized a natural conclusion to their current management structure.
The agency asked fans for their continued warm interest and encouragement for the members as they embark on new beginnings outside of the group format.
A Journey from Survival Show to Debut
ATBO (which stands for “At the Beginning of Originality”) first rose to prominence through the survival reality show THE ORIGIN – A, B, Or What?. They officially debuted in July 2022 with their first mini-album The Beginning : 開花.
The group was originally introduced as a seven-member lineup. However, their path was not without challenges.
In 2024, the group transitioned to a six-member lineup following the departure of member Seok Rakwon due to health-related reasons.
Despite these changes, the remaining members—Oh Junseok, Ryu Junmin, Bae Hyunjun, Jeong Seunghwan, Kim Yeonkyu, and Won Bin—continued to promote and connect with their global fanbase, known as BOAT.
Emotional Farewells: Ryu Junmin’s Letter to Fans
Following the news, member Ryu Junmin took to his personal Instagram to share a heartfelt, handwritten letter with the fans.
In his message, he expressed profound gratitude for the memories created over the past few years. He acknowledged the sadness of the news but promised to carry the love received from BOATs into his future endeavors.
The letter served as a personal touchpoint for fans who were grieving the sudden news, reinforcing the strong bond the members shared with their community until the very end.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Though their time as ATBO has concluded, the members leave behind a discography that showcased their versatility and performance power.
From their debut title track “Monochrome (Color)” to their more recent participation in projects like Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE, the group proved their talent on multiple stages.
As the members prepare to pursue individual careers—whether in music, acting, or other areas of entertainment—the industry remains hopeful for their success.
For now, the K-pop community bids farewell to ATBO, a group that truly lived up to its name by bringing a sense of “originality” to the fourth generation of K-pop.
