'Proud to be gay': K-pop star on coming out to the world

Bain, a member of the K-pop boy band Just B, made headlines when he came out as gay during a concert in Los Angeles. Wearing a fur coat and sunglasses, Bain paused the show to tell his fans, 'I'm proud to be part of the LGBTQ community. ' The audience cheered loudly as he sang Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way. ' In an interview, Bain said he was not nervous about coming out, but wanted to sound cool and confident.

Coming out as gay is a big deal in South Korea, especially for celebrities. The entertainment industry is very strict, and even talking about having a girlfriend or boyfriend can cause problems. Some people in the industry warned Bain that coming out could be risky and that he might lose fans. But Bain believed that society is changing and that he might gain more support than he would lose. He wanted to be true to himself and help others feel less alone.

Bain, whose real name is Song Byeonghee, realized he was gay when he was about 12 years old. He kept it a secret for many years, thinking it was not allowed. South Korea is a modern country, but many people still have traditional views. Powerful churches often say that being gay is wrong, and same-sex marriage is not legal. Bain first told his mother about his sexuality three years ago. She was sad at first and hoped he would change, but she told him she loved and supported him.

After coming out to his family, Bain also told his band members and company. They encouraged him to share his story with the world. When Just B went on a world tour, Bain decided to come out on stage during their last US concert. Since then, he has become a symbol for the LGBTQ community in Korea, giving many interviews and inspiring fans. Bain says he feels more confident and happy now, but he also wishes his sexuality was not such a big deal. He hopes that one day, people will just see him for who he is, not just as a gay idol.

In the past, very few Korean celebrities have come out as LGBTQ. The first was actor Hong Seok-Cheon in 2000, who lost many jobs because of it. Since then, attitudes have slowly changed. A 2019 survey showed that 44 percent of Koreans now accept homosexuality, up from 25 percent in 2002. Still, only a few stars have come out, and some have struggled to find work. Bain's announcement has been celebrated by fans and the LGBTQ community, both in Korea and around the world. Many people say he has given them hope and courage.

However, there are still challenges. South Korea has seen a rise in conservative beliefs, especially among young men who want to keep traditional gender roles. The government and churches encourage people to marry and have children to raise the birth rate. In K-pop, even straight couples hide their relationships to protect their image. Some experts say that if a more famous idol came out, the reaction could be much bigger.

Bain knows that change will take time, but he is proud of his decision. He says that if even one person feels stronger because of his story, it is worth it. After coming out, some fans told him they were also gay or lesbian and thanked him for his courage. Bain hopes that more people will feel safe to be themselves in the future. His story is an important step for K-pop and for South Korea.