TL;DR
- BAIN is the first openly gay male idol in K-pop.
- He came out during a concert in LA in 2025.
- Reflects on his journey and newfound authenticity.
- Discusses the silence around queer artists in media.
- Hopes for more visibility for LGBTQ voices.
In a world where K-pop idols are often shrouded in mystery, BAIN of the group JUST B has burst onto the scene with a dazzling revelation: he’s the first openly gay male idol in an active K-pop group. Talk about serving looks and truth! 🌈
Last year, during a concert in Los Angeles, BAIN took the stage and made history. In front of a roaring crowd, he declared, “I am proud to be part of the LGBTQ community,” before launching into a powerful rendition of Lady Gaga’s anthem, “Born This Way.” If that’s not a moment, we don’t know what is!
Now, one year later, BAIN is reflecting on how his life has transformed since that monumental night. In a candid interview with Pop Base, he shared, “Last year, I walked onto the stage carrying a secret, heavier than I ever wanted anyone to know. This year, I walked onto the stage carrying only myself.” Honey, that’s the glow-up we all need!
At just 24 years old, BAIN has learned to embrace his true self, shedding the weight of societal expectations. “When you spend so much of your life editing your own existence to make other people comfortable, you start to forget what your real voice sounds like. But on this tour, I heard it clearly for the first time. Not the careful version. Just me,” he explained, and we’re here for it!
But it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunshine. BAIN also opened up about the challenges queer artists face in the industry. After coming out, he was approached for an interview by a Korean broadcaster, which was filmed but, as far as he knows, never aired. “Sometimes society celebrates queer courage in theory, but becomes quieter when that courage asks for real space,” he noted. Preach, BAIN!
Despite the hurdles, he remains optimistic. “I don’t say that with resentment, rather with hope, because recognizing the silence is often the first step toward changing it.” And isn’t that the truth? Here’s to more visibility and more voices in the K-pop industry!
As BAIN continues to break barriers, he’s not just a K-pop idol; he’s a beacon of hope for countless fans around the world, proving that being true to oneself is the ultimate form of rebellion. So, let’s keep cheering him on as he paves the way for future queer idols in the vibrant world of K-pop!
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