Main content

K-pop gets its first gay male idol

Bain, from the K-pop boyband JUST B, came out as gay on stage in Los Angeles.

The K-pop industry is known for being super strict and encouraging idols not to share details about their private lives, especially their relationships. For LGBTQ idols, there’s an added layer of pressure, where they can’t reveal or talk about their sexuality at all, due to the stigma associated with homosexuality in South Korea. The country is deeply divided over LGBTQ acceptance.

So what happens if you do mention your sexuality as a K-pop idol? ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Korean’s Juna Moon has been talking to Bain from the boyband JUST B, who came out as gay on stage during a show in Los Angeles earlier this year. We hear some of her interview with Bain, who talks about his fans’ reactions. And Juna explains why it’s so unusual for K-pop idols to disclose their sexual identity.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia-Ross Roy and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Jun 2025 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Jun 2025 17:50GMT
  • Sat 21 Jun 2025 02:50GMT

Podcast