JUST B’s Bain Announces He Is Gay, Becoming the First Active Male Idol in K-POP History to Do So Publicly

Bain of JUST B (real name Song Byeon-hee) created a historic moment during the group’s “JUST ODD” world tour concert in Los Angeles last week. The 23-year-old idol declared onstage, “I am proud to be a gay person and a member of the LGBTQ+ community.” He made this announcement before performing a solo version of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” He added, “I am grateful to Queen Lady Gaga, who showed that being discriminated against can be beautiful. I dedicate this song to everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and those still exploring their identity.” The audience responded to his declaration with enthusiastic support. Bain came to this decision thanks to the love and support he received from fans during the tour. He said, “When I arrived in LA, I felt at home naturally, and I thought it was time to share my true self with my fans.” Immediately after the concert, news of his coming out spread rapidly around the world, with fans sending messages of celebration and encouragement through social media. Two years prior, Bain had only revealed his sexual orientation to fellow group members Geonu, Lim Jimin, Siwoo, DY, and Sangwoo, receiving immediate acceptance and support from them. However, doubt and fear still existed within the K-POP industry. He confessed, “Living as someone other than my true self felt like slowly fading away.” He added, “I was convinced that hiding myself was the price to protect my dreams, career, and loved ones, but it ultimately left deep wounds.” Even major figures in South Korea’s entertainment industry voiced support for his brave choice. Hongseokcheon, a renowned gay entertainer who came out 25 years ago in 2000, expressed his support for Bain in a media interview. Hongseokcheon said, “This is a refreshing shock and welcome news. It’s been 25 years, and I didn’t expect it to take this long.” He praised Bain’s courage, stating, “This is something worth celebrating, especially as a huge step forward for male idols.” He also offered advice, saying, “It is important to stay strong and resilient. Keep pursuing your dreams and don’t let negative voices shake you.” He further emphasized, “While the courage to come out is great, the courage to remain true to oneself afterward is even more crucial.” Bain’s coming out holds significant meaning for the K-POP industry. Among the over 1,000 active K-POP idols, he is the only one from a currently active group who has publicly declared he is gay. Due to South Korea’s conservative tendencies and the influence of religious groups, the country is dangerously behind in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, same-sex couples cannot adopt, Pride events are constantly disrupted, and sexual activity between men during military service carries prison sentences. There are also no anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ people. Bain said he realized his experience could offer comfort to others. He said, “It was truly moving to witness so many people connecting with my story, and I carry that with me every day.” He added, “I feel a strong responsibility to live honestly” and “I realized that while comforting others, I can also find comfort for myself.”