K-pop’s Bain breaks taboos as ‘first’ openly gay idol: ‘not an easy path’

Bain, a member of boy band Just B, has become the first South Korean K-pop idol to publicly come out as gay, a landmark move that challenges deep-rooted taboos in the country’s entertainment industry – and, as he told This Week in Asia in an exclusive interview, one that came after intense personal struggle. “I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community,” the 23-year-old, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, declared during a packed concert in Los Angeles on April 22, before dedicating a cover of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way to “anyone still figuring it out”. Waving a rainbow flag as the crowd erupted into cheers, Bain added: “You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way.” The moment sent shock waves across the K-pop world, with fans flooding social media platforms with messages of admiration and solidarity. “Wow! Hats off to Bain. People like him make K-pop even more wonderful. I love you,” wrote one fan on social media. “I admire your courage. I support you and I hope you shine even brighter!” wrote another. Members of Bain’s band also showed support. “I want to send my applause to Bain. I was also in tears, watching from backstage,” said Siwoo, Just B’s sub vocalist. Bain’s announcement was immediately hailed as historic, but activists stressed that he stood on the shoulders of earlier trailblazers. Singer and actress Harisu gained fame in the early 2000s as the country’s first openly transgender entertainer. When television personality Hong Seok-cheon came out as gay in 2000, he faced a severe backlash. Lara Rajagopalan, an Indian-American member of the multinational K-pop girl group Katseye, publicly identified as queer earlier this year, marking another milestone for LGBTQ representation in the industry. A long-time LGBTQ activist and educator, who wished to be identified only by the pen name Ruin, said it was important to avoid framing Bain’s coming out as unprecedented. “Treating this as a ‘first’ risks erasing the countless artists – transgender, bisexual, asexual – who have already come out and faced discrimination,” Ruin said. “This creates a narrative where queer presence must always start from zero, when in fact it’s been consistently built through decades of activism and survival.” ‘Truly special’ moment Regardless of how his announcement is framed in the wider discourse, Bain said the experience of coming out on stage – and being met with a roar of support – was deeply personal and affirming. In his interview with This Week in Asia, he described the moment as “truly special”, recalling how the crowd’s reaction helped quiet the anxieties he had carried in the lead-up to the show. “The fans’ cheers gave me great reassurance,” he said. But he stressed that the decision was not easy. In the days leading up to the concert, he wrestled with fear – not only for himself, but for his group and their talent agency. “I had a dinner conversation with our staff and members the night before the performance. Even in the waiting room, I kept asking for their advice,” he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BAIN (@6a1n__) South Korea’s entertainment industry has long espoused conservative values, at least on the surface, but the positive attention paid in recent months to celebrities like transgender television personality Poongja and gay social media influencer Kim Ddol-ddol embracing their identities reveals a shifting landscape. “Previously, coming out was seen as career suicide for a singer,” music critic and columnist Kim Zak-ka said. “The traditional strategy was based on building an image that was lovable for all. Even being in a [straight] relationship could be met with backlash. But the fan base – and the business model – have evolved.” In my music, my performances and my life, I will show my true self South Korean K-pop idol Bain Partly, Kim said this was thanks to the global expansion of K-pop fandoms, many of which have championed minority rights by supporting movements such as Black Lives Matter, opening the door for idols to be more candid about their identities. “Nowadays, embracing one’s sexuality can even be seen as a way to strengthen the bond between artists and their fans abroad.” But, for Bain, the decision was personal, not strategic. “I believe revealing my true self to fans who genuinely love me is a form of respect,” he said. “I no longer want to live by anyone’s expectations but my own. In my music, my performances and my life, I will show my true self.” ‘Not an easy path’ Pastor Lee Dong-hwan, a long-time LGBTQ rights activist, lauded Bain’s decision as “courageous”. “Other celebrities who came out in the past, like TV personality Hong Seok-cheon, suffered a lot of hate and discrimination. That is why Bain’s decision is very courageous,” the pastor said. It is difficult for public icons like Bain to reveal their sexual identities as the discussion surrounding LGBTQ rights in South Korea focuses strongly on traditional values – tending to either over-sexualise the issue or avoid it all together, according to Lee. South Korea remains deeply divided over LGBTQ acceptance. As of 2024, 50 per cent of South Koreans opposed same-sex marriage, according to a Korea Research survey. The survey also showed that 31 per cent of the population identified as Christian – a factor that Lee said would influence the discussion. “As a pastor, I think conservative Christian values are affecting the discourse. They treat sexual minorities as sinners and those that need to be cleansed,” he said. Lee also identified South Korea’s neo-Confucian culture as hindering open discussion. “It is true South Korea’s society is accepting Bain more than it accepted celebrities who came out 20 or 30 years ago. However, I am still saddened to see malicious comments that arise online when discussing Bain coming out.” Some comments on posts about Bain’s coming out were negative. “How annoyed other members would be. He only thinks of himself,” read a comment on social media, which included profanity. However, Bain said these comments did not bother him. “Being a queer artist is not an easy path … I wish for an environment where [artists] can accept their true identities and express themselves freely,” he told This Week in Asia. “I want to express who I am honestly through my music, performances and on stage. If my story can empower others, that will be the greatest meaning for me.” Bain said he wanted to inspire other artists and South Korea’s LGBTQ youth to embrace their identities. “To the LGBTQ+ youth who are listening to my story and finding courage, I want to say, ‘you are never alone’,” he said. “It may take some time, but eventually, your authenticity will bring about great change … There will come a day when you can proudly share your story.” Lee said Bain’s coming out had already had an effect, offering solace to any young LGBTQ South Koreans who may feel alone in their journey. “When public figures speak of sexual minority issues, or when they come out, people in that community find comfort,” the pastor said. “Bain’s courage in coming out will give much support to young South Koreans struggling with their identity in a phase in their life where they experience a lot of confusion and lack of information.”

K-pop’s Bain breaks taboos as ‘first’ openly gay idol: ‘not an easy path’

South Korea remains deeply divided over LGBTQ acceptance, with 50 per cent opposing same-sex marriage, according to a survey last year