The K-pop star who came out to the world on stage

Bain was halfway through the concert in Los Angeles in his desire in clear April when the music stopped.

In excessive fur coats and black sunglasses, a 24-year-old K-pop star said thousands of fans: “Before I start the next song – I want to share something with you.”

Short pause and then: “I am [expletive] Proud to be part of the LGBTK community! “

The crowd broke out in applause and screams like Bain broke into Dadi Gaga Pride Anthem: “Just put your paws, because you were born like this, honey.”

At that moment, as he went out to the world, he was not nervous, he tells the BBC in an interview in his seoul studio – he preferred to “sound great”.

Q-pop artists came out like a gay in recent years – but none are as public as Bain.

Even 2025. It is a brave move in the entertainment industry of South Korea, where stars are stored in impossible standards. Recognition even heterosexual relationships is scandalous.

“There were some people in the industry they knew [I was thinking of coming out] And he warned me against it, saying it would be a risk, “Bain says.” And of course I was thinking about the risk – so we could lose fans.

“But then I thought society changes … I can get more than I could lose.”

That’s a big question: Did he throw her door to change in the industry that became global, but remains deeply rooted in conservative South Korea?

Bain, whose real name is Bienghee songs, he says he was in high school, about 12 years old, when he realized it was gay.

Shortly afterwards, he decided to become an apprentice of K-Pop, but kept his sexuality secret – he felt like gay was “not allowed.”

“There was something I questioned … I just thought I had no choice,” he says. “There was no one else [around me that was gay]. I thought I could only pretend and move on. “

The rich, modern South Korea is still traditional in several ways. Mighty though conservative churches often see homosexuality as a disability or Sin. And same-sex marriage is not legally recognized.

In 2021. year, Bain debuted as part of six-meter bils, only B. They let several albums and participated in reality show, earn a dedicated audience.

But through all that, a year hiding part of himself took the toll on Bain.

“I was so flooded, I thought maybe I couldn’t be an idol at all. I felt that I’d hide so much. I decided to talk to my mom.”

That was about three years ago. His mother was the first person in his family to find out, “We talked for an hour and I finally said,” I like men more than women. “Then she knew.”

Her reaction was heavy. “Honestly, she didn’t like it at first. She said she thought I could overcome him, to be able to deal with. I was feeling to face bad reactions of others. But [she] He said, “You’re my son, so I love you, I support you, I love you.” It was mixed. I was sad, but in the end she said she told him to love me. ”

Then the members and the company his team began encouraging to take the jump – and tell the world.

Earlier this year, the band started the world tour and at the last stopping of his American tour, Bain decided to go out on stage.

Since then, the band pushed in the spotlight – with Bain, giving countless interviews while quickly became a new face of the Korean LGBTK community.

“I feel like I’ve come out since I’ve been feeling more confident. When I meet someone new, I show who I’m right away,” he says. “But I also feel sad that my identity now is such a big deal.”

Over time, people will stop talking “Oh, gay, but rather, oh, it’s just who he is.”

When the South Korean actor Hong Seok-Cheon came out like Gay 2000. years, the representation of the LGBTK really entered the main course of the country.

He was the first Korean celebrity that opens about his sexuality – and that came at the price. It was discarded with TV shows and advertisements.

Attitudes surely change since. SUV research from 2019. It has shown that the number of people who accepted homosexualness increased to 44% of 25% in 2002. years.

Still, just a few other famous celebrities. In 2018, the Netherlands became the first country open gay K-pop insert and, 2020. Jiae, a former member of the girl group, came out as bisexual. They both said that he thought it was hard to sign with the label of records as a result.

However, Bain’s announcement celebrated both fans and LGBTK communities of South Korea.

“When someone comes out like an idol, it gives people like me feeling that we are not alone,” says 26-year-olds of transgender women, who does not want to be appointed.

“Brings comfort … I think I think, maybe I’m fine the way I am.”

And online, most comments were positive. One gay fan in YouTube comment wrote it encouraged by Bain, after felt “so much despair” over “flaws of hatred” and discrimination.

“But thanks to Bain, I found the courage to keep going.”

International fans are especially cheered by: “After the initial shock, I started crying,” Lia said, K-Pop from the USA identified as a lesbian.

“Knowing that Korea still has little repression against LGBTK people, courage and the courage he displayed by exit …[was] A wonderful. “

The cultural footprint of South Korea is growing globally, and it led fans everywhere with their perspectives and beliefs. They can reshape the K-Pop industry.

But it will take time. And that is visible in the comment range in response to Bain’s announcement – disapproval of apathy.

For this, the country saw the rise of right-handed, often chased anti-feminist certificates in young men, which seem to oppose any challenge to traditional gender roles.

And these roles remain strong in South Korea. The government and church champion of conventional family values, encouraging young people to marry and have children so that they can reinforce the birth rate, the lowest in the world.

In view of all that, it may not be a surprise that homosexuality is still taboo, even in the global industry like K-POP.

This is a world where even flat couples do not talk about their private lives, Critic Lim Hee-Yun says.

“K-Pop spent almost 25 years avoiding the topic of sexuality [altogether]. Even heterosexual relationships are hidden to protect fans fans. “

Bain, he adds, “He caused that silence in a symbolically and powerful way. I believe he means a big moment”.

But she believes that fans may react very different – “Maybe it’s explosive” – ​​if a global boy’s member appeared as gay.

“Bay’s case was significant, but his group is not as familiar [so] It did not cause so much in the country, “said Mr. Lim.

Bain surely helped raise awareness, he agrees. “It’s a slow process, but we see more public figures who speak or content created around these LGBTK problems.”

But every immediate change in the K-pop or entertainment industry is unlikely that it is unlikely.

“It’s not just a socially question – it’s a matter of market. Male idols usually have much bigger women’s fanbaz … [and] If you find out if your favorite is idol gay, it can break the illusion that one day you could be the subject of his affection, “he says.

“So if they do [come out] They risk feeling the foundation, their fandom is built. “

Bain, however, says his decision would be worth if even “one person in K-Pop arrives for strength or interest”.

“I spent so long pretending … I realized it was because I came out, and others felt and safe.”

The day he came out, he remembers, a few fans approached him, saying that gay or lesbian, how they talk about their own identity.

“They thanked me and I thought I was supposed to do it before.”