K-Pop Idol Bain Makes History with Bold Coming Out Statement

During a recent concert, K-Pop idol Bain publicly came out as a proud member of the LGBTQ community, a bold move in South Korea's conservative entertainment sector. His declaration has sparked conversations about acceptance and representation, as well as the challenges still faced by LGBTQ individuals in the country.

Bain was halfway through his band's Los Angeles concert on a crisp April night when the music stopped. In an oversized fur coat and black sunglasses, the 24-year-old K-pop star told thousands of fans: "Before I start the next song - I want to share something with you guys." A brief pause and then: "I'm proud to be part of the LGBTQ community!" The crowd erupted in applause and screams as Bain broke into Lady Gaga's pride anthem: "Just put your paws up, 'Cause you were born this way, baby." In that moment, as he came out to the world, he tells the BBC in an interview at his studio in Seoul - rather, he had been trying to "sound cool."

A handful of K-pop artists have come out as gay in recent years - but none as publicly as Bain. Even in 2025, that is a bold move in South Korea's entertainment industry, where stars are held to impossible standards. Admitting to even a heterosexual relationship is scandalous. "There were some people in the industry who knew [I was thinking of coming out] and warned me against it, saying it would be a risk," Bain says. "And of course I thought about the risk - that we might lose fans. But then I thought, society is changing… I might gain more than I might lose."

That's the big question: has he thrown open the door to change in an industry that has become global but remains deeply rooted in a conservative South Korea? Bain, whose real name is Song Byeonghee, says he was in secondary school, about 12 years old, when he realized he was gay. Shortly afterwards, he decided to become a K-pop trainee but kept his sexuality secret - he felt like being gay was "not allowed."

"It wasn't 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 just pretend and keep going." Wealthy, modern South Korea is still traditional in many ways. Powerful yet conservative churches often see homosexuality as a disability or sin, and same-sex marriage is not legally recognized. In 2021, Bain made his debut as part of a six-member boyband, Just B. They have released several albums and have taken part in reality shows, earning a dedicated audience.

But through it all, the years of hiding a part of himself took a toll on Bain. "I was so overwhelmed, I thought maybe I can't be an idol at all. I felt I'd been hiding so much. I decided to talk to 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.' That's when she knew."

Her reaction was difficult for him. "Honestly, she didn't like it - not at first. She said she thought I could overcome it, that maybe I'd someday like women. She felt sad... that I'd now face bad reactions from others. But [she] 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, grateful she said she loves me." Then his team members and company began encouraging him to take the leap - and tell the world. Earlier this year, the band began a world tour, and on the last stop of their US tour, Bain decided to come out on stage.

Since then, the band has been thrust into the spotlight - with Bain giving countless interviews as he quickly became the new face of the Korean LGBTQ community. "I feel like I've changed a lot since coming out. I feel more confident. When I meet someone new, I show who I am immediately," he says. "But I also feel sad that my identity is such a big deal now." Over time, he hopes, people will stop saying "oh, he's gay, but rather, oh, that's just who he is."

The taboos in K-pop are evident, as South Korean actor Hong Seok-Cheon came out as gay in 2000, marking a significant but risky shift in representation where he faced backlash and career consequences. Attitudes have changed since then, but only a handful of celebrities have come out. Bain's announcement, however, has been celebrated by both fans and South Korea's LGBTQ community. "When someone like an idol comes out, it gives people like me a sense that we are not alone," says a 26-year-old Korean transgender woman who wishes to remain anonymous.

Online, many comments have been overwhelmingly supportive, with fans expressing encouragement and relief thanks to Bain's bravery. International reactions also highlight the courage it takes to defy societal norms in South Korea. Bain's decision reflects broader conversations about LGBTQ rights in a country where conservative views still dominate, especially against a backdrop of rapidly shifting global perspectives.

While Bain's impact signifies progress, full acceptance remains a slow process within a conservative industry, as traditional beliefs influence public perception and fan dynamics. Critics note that while Bain's coming out is significant, societal change in the K-pop landscape may unfold more gradually, emphasizing the complicated balance between personal identity and market expectations. Bain, nonetheless, remains hopeful about his influence within the community, stating: "I've spent so long pretending… I realized that because I came out, others felt safe to do so too."