Bain (Song Byeon-hee), a 23-year-old member of the K-pop group JUST B, made a powerful statement at their recent concert in Los Angeles, announcing, “I’m fucking proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community as a gay person.” His declaration was met with a loud and supportive response from the audience. “At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come out, but the desire to be loved for who I truly am became the strongest feeling in my life,” Bain explained in an interview with Dazed. “Coming out is something you should do when your emotions are most sincere and when you have the courage to speak from the heart. I felt that this was the right time.”
Since his announcement, Bain has gained significant media attention, with outlets like the BBC and NBC covering his story. His coming out is groundbreaking, considering the South Korean K-pop industry’s history. While K-pop is known for its extravagant costumes, gender-blurring visuals, and practices like ‘fan service,’ where idols often engage in platonic physical affection onstage, the reality of LGBTQ+ acceptance in South Korea is starkly different. Bain’s coming out is particularly significant as he is the first openly gay member of an active K-pop boy group. The last similar event occurred in 2016, when two members of the lesser-known group D.I.P revealed their relationship. Bain is now the only openly gay idol in a K-pop group out of over 1,000 active idols.
South Korea’s conservative values, influenced by strong religious groups, make LGBTQ+ issues a sensitive topic. The country does not recognize same-sex marriage, same-sex couples cannot adopt, and Pride events face consistent opposition. Military service is also a difficult issue, as same-sex relations between men can result in prison sentences. There is no anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, and while public attitudes have shifted somewhat, identifying as LGBTQ+ still carries significant personal and professional risks.
K-pop’s growing popularity in countries with more LGBTQ+ acceptance has led to widespread criticism of the industry’s lack of representation. Some groups, such as OnlyOneOf and QODES, have adopted same-sex attraction as part of their concepts, but for LGBTQ+ idols, coming out remains a rare and dangerous decision. In K-pop, even a hint of heterosexual dating can negatively impact an idol’s career, making it harder for those who are openly LGBTQ+ to thrive.
Artists like solo pop singer Holland, who tells queer love stories through his music, have been vocal about the discrimination they face. Other idols have only come out after leaving their groups, such as Jiae of Wassup, who revealed she was bisexual after the group disbanded. Jo Kwon of 2AM waited until 2020 to embrace a genderless image. Transgender model Choi Hanbit’s career in the industry was cut short after her debut in 2016. Similar stories include Maman, who was reportedly ousted from her agency after coming out as a lesbian, and KilliAN, a trainee at JYP who was allegedly removed from the company for being gay.
Despite the challenges, some progress is being made. In 2020, trot singer Kwon Do-woon came out as gay, hoping to pave the way for other LGBTQ+ idols. Actor and presenter Hong Seok-cheon, who came out in 2000, has worked tirelessly to destigmatize being LGBTQ+ in South Korea and even supported Bain with a heartfelt letter after his announcement.
Although South Korea’s LGBTQ+ rights movement is slow-moving, there have been positive signs, such as a landmark ruling granting same-sex couples access to the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples. Hong Seok-cheon’s successful return to entertainment after a period of exile is another example of progress, showing that even in a conservative society, change is possible.
For Bain, who is just four years into his career, his decision to come out is a historic and courageous step for the future of K-pop. In his emotional speech, Bain told the audience, “To anyone out there who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community, or still figuring it out – this is for you. You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way.”
Bain’s bold move marks a significant milestone not only for K-pop but for LGBTQ+ visibility in South Korea’s entertainment industry, inspiring idols and fans alike to embrace authenticity and love without fear.
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