[SHOWCASE] 'iykyk': Omega X is back with new music after a tumultuous year

Boy band Omega X held a showcase for their new album "iykyk," expressing their determination to overcome challenges and find happiness. The new EP features diverse genres. The lead track "Junk Food" is described as addictive and catchy.

Boy band Omega X performs its new song during a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul for its third EP ″iykyk″ on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

“Omega X will not give up. We will keep on pushing through this, and we ask for your support as we do so,” boy band Omega X member Xen said, tearing up as he answered questions from the press during a showcase held for the band’s new album Tuesday afternoon.

“This album, our third EP ‘iykyk,’ marks another beginning for Omega X,” he said. “It shows our urge to break free from all the dizzying messages that people throw at us and their judgmental gaze in order to find the subtle yet precious happiness in our life. This is the very embodiment of that journey for us.”

Omega X’s third EP is the band’s first new album in a year and five months, and the first new project since signing with its new agency IPQ Entertainment last May. The title “iykyk” is short for the phrase, “if you know, you know,” and embodies the band’s urge to weed out the malicious messages of the mass media that people are unwittingly exposed to, according to the band.

“'iykyk’ means that people who know the truth know it without having to explain much,” Jaehan said. “We’ve been known for very powerful performances. But we wanted to show that we can pull off diverse genres, from trendy hip-hop to emo pop and modern rock. All members participated in making the songs, so we hope people look forward to how much Omega X has grown.”

Boy band Omega X poses for photos during a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul for its third EP ″iykyk″ on Tuesday. [IPQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Five tracks are in the album, including the lead track “Junk Food” and B-side tracks “Louder,” “Touch,” “Hey!” and “Island.” Lead track “Junk Food” is a trap hip-hop song that’s just as addictive and catchy as junk food is in real life.

Members participated in making all of the songs, and all 11 members contributed to the last track “Island,” which is a compilation of the messages that Omega X constituents want to send to For X, the band’s fandom.

“The lead track ‘Junk Food’ is a hip-hop track about how you can become hooked on junk food with just one taste and you keep thinking about it,” Hangyeom said. “Our song is that very junk food. We hope you like it."

Tuesday was the first time in a year for the bandmates to stand in front of the press, since they last held a conference in November last year to address the abuse allegations against its previous agency, Spire Entertainment.

Boy band Omega X performs its new song ″Junk Food″ during a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul for its third EP ″iykyk″ on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Boy band Omega X performs its new song ″Junk Food″ during a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul for its third EP ″iykyk″ on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Members revealed that they had been assaulted — both physically and verbally — by Spire Entertainment’s CEO and his wife during their time as trainees and artists. Spire Entertainment agreed to terminate the members’ contracts with the agency in December.

“We were worried that we may not stand on stage as Omega X again, so this really does feel like a miracle for us,” Yechan said. “We'll show you just how grateful we are and how much we've prepared.”

The band plans to keep itself busy with new content for fans and a tour around the United States and the Latin Americas. Specific dates were not revealed during Tuesday’s showcase.

“We have been through a lot, but we believe that we were able to seize the moment when it came because we never gave up,” Hwichan said. “All 11 of us stuck together and kept our courage. If different people look at us and get a sense of hope, then that will make it feel so worthwhile.” To learn more about Omega X, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]