OMEGA X’s HWICHAN, 29, has been cleared of allegations that he forcibly touched the former CEO of his previous agency. On Dec. 10, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office declined to indict him, citing insufficient evidence.
In its decision, prosecutors noted that the CCTV provided by the accuser consisted only of edited clips―6, 9, and 11 seconds long―rather than the full original footage. They said the brief clips alone were not enough to conclude that HWICHAN committed a forcible act. Investigators requested the unedited video, but the accuser did not comply, and the employee who said they edited the footage repeatedly failed to appear despite multiple summonses.
Prosecutors also referenced a court injunction involving OMEGA X and a ruling from the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, stating that the accuser had subjected group members to severe verbal abuse, leaving them psychologically intimidated. Given that context, they said the behavior seen on CCTV could have occurred at the accuser’s urging or under pressure, making it difficult to deem the act a sexual offense.
Appearing on JTBC’s current affairs program ‘Crime Chief’ on Dec. 16, HWICHAN said he felt branded a criminal as early as the police investigation stage. “It was devastating―I thought my life was over,” he said. Describing the day in question, he added, “When we were alone, the profanity and threats continued. I refused, but physical contact was forced on me. I was terrified and humiliated and ran out of the room.”
He also claimed the person called herself “mom,” pressured him to show affection, and repeatedly asked, “Do you want to quit being a celebrity?” adding, “Honestly, it was disgusting.”
Earlier, the former CEO publicly released edited CCTV clips claiming HWICHAN had assaulted her, sparking a public firestorm. After the non-indictment, she told ‘Crime Chief’ that the case “is not over,” saying she is gathering additional evidence and plans to file an objection.
HWICHAN and his current agency are carefully considering potential legal action for false accusation.
In a related matter, the former CEO was fined 500,000 won in July at the first trial for assaulting OMEGA X member JAEHAN after the group’s Los Angeles tour stop in October 2022; she has appealed, saying it was “discipline.” Separately, Seoul Hyehwa Police concluded that allegations of workplace power-based indecent conduct by the former CEO against some members during overseas tour travel were substantiated and referred that case to prosecutors with a recommendation to indict.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)