In brief
In a landmark moment for K-pop, Bain, a member of the group Just B, has publicly come out as proud to be part of the LGBT community. This rare announcement took place during a solo performance at a concert in Los Angeles, where the 23-year-old artist, born Song Byeong-hee, expressed his support for others navigating their identities.
The crowd responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, cheering loudly as Bain spoke about representation and love. In a heartfelt message shared via social media post after the concert, he declared, "To anyone out there who's part of the LGBT community, or still figuring it out - this is for you guys. You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way." Following his speech, he performed a rendition of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," whom he lovingly called "my queen."Support for Bain poured in from both fellow bandmates and fans alike. Siwoo, a band member, shared his emotional reaction, stating, "I know how hard it was for him, and that made me want to cry more." Fans expressed their pride and love in comments on Bain's social media, with one writing, "We love you so much and are so proud of you for being yourself."Just B, which was formed in 2021, has released five EPs and a variety of singles, rapidly gaining popularity in the ever-competitive K-pop landscape. Coming out in South Korea’s entertainment industry remains a significant challenge, given the societal pressures and taboos surrounding homosexuality, despite its legal status. Bain's announcement comes on the heels of other notable revelations within the K-pop scene, including the recent coming out of Lara, an Indian-American member of the girl group Katseye, in September. This moment may represent a larger shift towards greater acceptance and visibility within the K-pop industry, which has historically seen limited public disclosures of LGBTQ identities.
