Latest news with #SongByeong-hee
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 'I admire your courage. I support you and I hope you shine even brighter!' wrote another.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
K-Pop Star Shocks Fans With Emotional On-Stage Confession About His Sexuality
Another barrier just got shattered, and the world is cheering! Bain, a member of the K-pop boy group Just B, bravely came out as gay during an emotional solo moment at the band's final concert stop in Los Angeles this week. The 23-year-old star, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, made the announcement during a powerful performance at the Vermont Hollywood Hall as part of Just B's "Just Odd World" Tour. "Tonight, I'm gonna share something with you guys," Bain said, with footage of the heart-stopping moment quickly circulating across Instagram and TikTok. "I'm f-cking proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+, as a gay person. And shout out to my queen , showing me that being different is beautiful." Bain then kept the love flowing with a heartfelt dedication to fans still finding their way: "Anyone out there who is part of the LGBTQ+, or still figuring it out, this is for you guys, and also this is for everyone: You're seen, you're loved and you are born this way." Fans erupted into cheers and tears as Bain belted out Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," the ultimate pride anthem, in a moment that instantly went viral and sent shockwaves of support throughout the fandom. According to Daily Mail, his Just B bandmate Siwoo revealed just how emotional the moment truly was, telling News1, "I know how hard it was for him, and that made me want to cry more." After the video went viral, fans of the K-pop group flooded the comments section, showing their support for Bain. "I'm so proud of you, kiddo," one Instagram user wrote. "Always love yourself because WE LOVE YOU!!!!" "BAIN I LOVE YOU!!! SO MUCH!!!" another said. "I AM SO PROUD AND HONORED TO BE YOUR FAN!!!" "Your crown is here," a third wrote. Someone else chimed in, " It was so great seeing all the love and support you and the rest of the members showed him last night. Glad I was able to witness it." Another fan commented, "You are an inspiration for so many people, Bain. You are seen and loved beyond words!!!! I'm so proud of you and wish nothing but the best for you. Never stop being you." Just B, formed by Bluedot Entertainment in 2021, has been steadily making a name for themselves with five EPs and 11 singles. But Bain's bold declaration may mark a cultural shift bigger than any chart-topping hit. While homosexuality is legal in South Korea, the country doesn't recognize same-sex marriage, and stigmas persist, especially among older generations. Still, public attitudes are changing, with a Pew Research Center study noting a jump in acceptance from 25% in 2002 to 44% in 2019. In the notoriously private world of K-pop, where artists often face strict "no dating" clauses, Bain's coming out represents a groundbreaking moment for visibility in the industry. He's joining a growing list of K-pop stars living openly and authentically. Just last month, Katseye member Lara Raj came out, joking, "I knew I was half a fruitcake when I was like eight." In 2020, former WA$$UP star Jiae announced she was bisexual and dating a woman, while Holland, credited as "the first openly gay K-pop idol," made history in 2018 with his viral debut single Neverland. But being out in the K-pop world isn't without risks. Holland revealed in 2022 that he was assaulted on the streets of Seoul for being gay, tweeting, "Now I have a scar on my face and I'm going to the hospital soon." Still, signs of progress are undeniable. When Lara Raj came out this spring, a major K-pop agency official told the Korea Herald, "Public perception on sexual minorities in Korea has improved a lot... but it's still a big change." As for Bain, the moment was nothing short of iconic and judging by the love pouring in from fans worldwide, he's just getting started.
Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
‘Lady Gaga says different is beautiful': K-Pop star Bain comes out as gay
A K-Pop boy band member has come out as gay, making a rare declaration in a country where prejudice and conservative social attitudes make it difficult for performers to be open about their sexuality. Song Byeong-hee of the South Korean group Just B, usually known by his stage name, Bain, made the announcement during a concert in Los Angeles on Tuesday, to excited cheers from members of the audience. 'Tonight, I want to share something with you,' he said. 'I'm f***ing proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community, as a gay person. Shout out to my queen Lady Gaga who showed me that being different is beautiful.' 'To everyone out there who's part of LGBTQ or still figuring it out, this is for
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
K-pop singer Bain of Just B comes out during US concert
"To anyone out there who's part of the LGBT community, or still figuring it out - this is for you guys," Bain, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, said in a video posted on his social media after the concert. "You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way," he added, before launching into a performance of Born This Way by pop icon Lady Gaga, whom he referred to as "my queen". His bandmates welcomed the announcement. Just B member Siwoo said he cried while watching Bain's performance. "I know how hard it was for him, and that made me want to cry more," he said, according to Korean media outlet News1. The band's fans have shown their support as well. "We love you so much and are so proud of you for being yourself," reads a top-liked comment under his Instagram post. "You are so loved. So proud to be your fan. Be proud of who you are," another fan wrote. Formed in 2021, Just B is a six-member act that has released five EPs and multiple singles. Coming out remains extremely rare in South Korea's highly-pressurised entertainment industry. While homosexuality is not illegal in the country, it remains taboo, and same-sex marriage is not legally recognised. A 2022 Human Rights Watch report described discrimination against LGBT people in South Korea as "pervasive". Bain is not the first K-pop star to come out. Just last month, Lara, an Indian-American member of the girl group Katseye, came out as queer on a K-pop fan community platform. In 2020, Jiae from the now-disbanded girl group Wassup announced on Instagram that she is bisexual.
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
K-pop star comes out on stage during final stop on Just B world tour
K-pop star Bain of Just B came out as gay during the final stop on their world tour in Los Angeles. The 23-year-old Korean singer described himself as 'proud to be part of the LGBT community ', which was met with cheers by adoring fans. It was a bold admission for someone in an industry which is known to tightly control artists' public profiles and keep personal lives under wraps. Bain, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, praised Lady Gaga before launching into her gay pop anthem Born This Way. He was supported by his bandmates with Just B's Siwoo telling Korean media that he cried watching Bain's performance.
