K-Pop Industry Breaking Down Barriers to Inclusion: Trans Idols Cherry and Deaf Group Big Ocean Leading the Way

Idols in the K-pop industry who have disclosed their LGBTQ+ identities or have disabilities are driving historic changes. On July 19, K-pop singer Cherry declared during an Instagram live session, “This isn’t a hobby—it’s my life. I am transgender.” Cherry gained popularity as a member of the group ZWIBER, but she explained that she could not reveal everything from the start due to the unconventional nature of her life. She becomes the first K-pop idol to openly acknowledge her transgender identity. Cocona, a member of XG, revealed her transmasculine and non-binary identity on her 20th birthday and disclosed that she had undergone breast reconstruction surgery. In an Instagram post, she wrote, “As I step into this new chapter, I want to share something I’ve carried in my heart for a long time. I am AFAB, transmasculine, and non-binary. I had breast surgery earlier this year.” She added, “Accepting and embracing myself was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But as I slowly started to do so, I was able to open new doors,” and continued, “Now I can finally say that someone inside me is perfectly fine.”

The expansion of inclusion in the K-pop industry is also evident through the emergence of idol groups with disabilities. The American daily The New York Times provided a detailed report on Big Ocean, the first K-pop group of deaf idols. Composed of three deaf members—Chanyeol, PJ, and Jisuk—Big Ocean made its debut on April 20 of last year, Disability Day, by remaking H.O.T.’s hit song “Light.” Big Ocean’s music is created using deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and their choreography is synchronized with vibration watch-based metronomes. After releasing their debut single, they drew attention both domestically and internationally by performing on television for the first time using Korean Sign Language. Subsequently, they released singles with English lyrics and American Sign Language, and in September of last year, they were named Billboard’s New Artist of the Month. In May of this year, they were included in Forbes’ list of “30 Under 30 Influential Asians,” and they began their first U.S. tour at the end of this month. In particular, Big Ocean’s fandom, called “Pado,” is learning sign language and even creating tutorials for it. The New York Times highlighted this influence, stating that Big Ocean’s emergence and rise are the result of significant progress made by Korea’s deaf community since Korean Sign Language was designated as an official language in 2016. The newspaper noted, “Institutional changes helped shift cultural perspectives, leading to the inclusion of deaf artists like Big Ocean,” and added, “Big Ocean has raised awareness about deaf culture in Korea and around the world.” Member Jisuk said, “When fans respond in sign language at concerts, it is one of the strongest forms of connection.”