As Pride Month 2025 involves a detailed, it’s change into extra clear than ever that LGBTQ+ people want the assist of their surrounding neighborhood greater than ever. When Ok-pop star Bain took the brave — and largely extraordinary — transfer of popping out within the midst of his boy band’s Los Angeles live performance, the 24-year-old was not solely cheered by the tons of of followers in attendance but in addition supported by his JUSTB bandmates, their file label Bluedot Leisure, U.S. touring companion The Ok-STAGE and, inside 24 hours, a number of different members of the Korean-entertainment world’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
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See social chatter movies, charts and information
See social chatter movies, charts and information
It’s almost a whole 180-degree change from 2000, when award-winning Korean actor Hong Seok-cheon publicly got here out, dealing with instant public backlash and shunning. Fired from his tv packages, dropped by promoting offers, and compelled into hiding as a consequence of stigmas of the time, Hong finally made his approach again into the business to change into an in-demand selection star and one of many few fashions of LGBTQ+ entertainers in South Korea. He was additionally one of many first folks to publicly congratulate Bain on his popping out. Ok-pop’s first LGBTQ+ boy band, LIONESSES, and solo singer AleXa additionally despatched their congrats.
Along with his bandmates at his facet, Bain spoke to Billboard concerning the historic evening, as did JUSTB’s Lim Jimin, Geonu, Siwoo and Sangwoo (sixth member DY was recovering from an appendicitis surgical procedure). In the course of the nighttime video name, it was evident that Bain is surrounded by a workforce that’s not solely captivated with working with him however strives to grasp him and make him know that he’s actually accepted, no matter who he loves.
As JUSTB have fun 4 years collectively at present, June 30, learn on for extra from the close-knit group reflecting on their impactful world tour, how queer artists and their allies navigate the Ok-pop business, in addition to their dedication to higher honesty of their music careers shifting ahead.
For somebody who’s part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, you may really feel very alone, and it’s so significantly better when you’ve assist and individuals who love you. Bain has shared the way it felt like he may breathe once more, however as a bunch, did you’re feeling a collective weight lifted that evening?
Geonu: I wish to say it was a “Day of Braveness.” It was a day of breaking the brand new daybreak for him and likewise for our workforce — it was such a day of legends.
Bain: Happening stage, nobody stated something specifically; everybody handled me simply as they at all times do. However I may really feel it even with out phrases, like, “Simply be your self,” “You are able to do it” — it was so highly effective. So, I felt calm and regular as I stepped on stage. The air, the look, the sensation I had in that second, I don’t suppose I’ll ever overlook it.
Lim Jimin: I used to be really taking a video of Bain backstage and I’ve seen his reveals and levels, however “That is the second,” [I thought]. I used to be speechless, you already know?
When speaking to followers later, I liked the way you all shared that you just had been happy with Bain; it’s actually particular to see the entire workforce supporting you and even your organization, Bluedot Leisure. Is it uncommon to seek out such assist within the business?
Bain: Truly, it’s form of actually uncommon. Our firm and my workforce members had been actually supportive of me. I got here out to my mother three years in the past after which to my members and the corporate about two years in the past. It’s been good, and I’m grateful for that. However earlier than that, nobody knew. I used to be actually scared that it will damage my profession. That concern was at all times there. So, after debut, I struggled with my sexual id, feeling like I used to be simply deceiving everybody, and it was a extremely robust time. However finally, I noticed I couldn’t hold pretending. I shared my reality and everybody accepted me sincerely. I’m grateful for that, and now I describe it as if my coronary heart beats a lot louder.
What was the significance of getting these open and trustworthy conversations within the group?
Geonu: I attempt to perceive folks. I feel the phrase perceive is a extremely, actually severe and deep phrase. It’s nearly unattainable to 100% perceive one other human being, however I at all times attempt to perceive folks and I like that. With Bain, he’s one of many closest folks in my life proper now. He’s one among our members, so I wished to grasp him.
Bain: Geonu was the primary particular person of my members that I opened as much as about my id. On the time, I used to be carrying a lot alone. I didn’t know find out how to say it — or if I even ought to — however I wanted somebody to listen to me. And he listened with out judgment, simply quietly accepted me, and that second felt like a small gentle in the dead of night room.
Does anybody have LGBTQ+ members of the family or different associates which have come out to you as properly?
Jimin: I don’t personally both, however I’ve recognized Bain for 9 years, and when he got here out, I didn’t even suppose in another way as a result of I knew him very properly.
Geonu: I even have an LGBTQ buddy, however no matter that, I simply wished to grasp and attempt to perceive as an individual. I feel that’s what the world wants proper now.
Jimin: JUSTB is like my household. I would not have to grasp him solely; I simply settle for him as he’s. In the course of the efficiency, proper after he sang on the stage, I began crying.
Geonu: I feel that’s the most effective reply; he’s received the higher reply! [Laughs] As a result of it’s not even about understanding, it’s simply accepting.
Talking of performances, Bain carried out Woman Gaga’s “Born This Approach” after his announcement, and on this tour, he additionally sang “Judas” and songs by Future’s Little one, Britney Spears, and the Pussycat Dolls. Do you’re feeling a connection to those feminine artists?
Bain: I’ve at all times felt a deep connection to sturdy feminine artists. Rising up, singers like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and even Hwasa actually gave me power. Their music spoke about confidence, ache, and freedom —issues I used to be attempting to grasp inside myself. So, after I was battling my id, their songs made me really feel seen, even when they didn’t know if I existed. Watching them on stage so unapologetically gave me braveness. Performing their songs wasn’t nearly paying tribute. It was my approach of claiming thanks.
What are the present experiences for younger individuals who wanna be concerned in Ok-pop however can also be LGBTQ+ or questioning? Is the music business extra open-minded? Do you see others struggling?
Geonu: That’s a great query. I need to say that the world is quickly altering, it truly is, day-to-day. It’s so quick that we typically can’t even meet up with the brand new tendencies or what’s occurring. I’d like to inform our younger era to not be afraid of getting extra self-confidence and making strikes. When you suppose it’s proper, then it’s proper. Simply do your factor, say it out loud, and make the strikes that you just suppose are proper.
Jimin: Additionally, displaying yourselves is sort of like artwork to us. I feel it’s essential to not be ashamed of your different sides. Exhibiting up as what you’re is most necessary.
Bain: Additionally, for younger LGBTQ+ individuals who need to be in Ok-pop, there are nonetheless challenges, and I felt them too as a result of it may be scary and there aren’t many individuals to look as much as. However each time somebody shares their story, it helps others really feel much less alone. I hope anybody with this dream is aware of they don’t have to cover who they’re, and I hope the business continues to maneuver towards a spot the place folks can merely be themselves. And simply usually talking, I do have some fellow artist associates who really don’t discuss their sexuality, so I don’t find out about them, however I simply hope they will be at liberty to speak about it to me. If my expertise may help even a little bit, I’m at all times open to listening. So, welcome!
That’s an awesome angle, particularly since these conditions can typically seem unfavourable. However Bain appeared so cool on stage, carrying his sun shades and large jacket; everybody was completely happy and cheering. Did being in Hollywood or Los Angeles encourage you in any approach?
Bain: If there was any motive, it was simply that I wished to share my true story with our followers. However there was no motive I got here out in LA. I used to be on tour, I obtained quite a lot of assist from my followers and since LA was our final cease on the North American tour, it simply naturally got here out of me… it was form of half spontaneous and half ready, a bit. As a result of I used to be desirous about it and feeling like I used to be gaining braveness and vitality. So, I made a decision to indicate up as myself and say my reality.
Have others reached out to you? I noticed that Hong Seok-cheon shared his congrats in an interview. Have you ever been capable of speak with him?
Bain: Sure, after I noticed Hong Seok-cheon article, I really reached out to him personally with a DM. He’s somebody I appeared as much as for a very long time as a result of when he got here out in Korea particularly, it took a lot braveness. So, his phrases imply rather a lot to me. I hope to hold that very same braveness ahead and be somebody others also can look to, similar to I’ve appeared to him.
You wrapped JUSTB’s JUST ODD World Tour, and even that title appears like a dedication to embracing id. You all had been closely concerned in creating your March EP, JUST ODD. What did you need to say at this second, and may you categorical yourselves freely within the Ok-pop world?
Jimin: Initially, isn’t “Simply Odd” about, like, being simply odd? It’s not an odd factor and I really like that.
Geonu: And no matter different teams, we’ve got had a fairly lengthy journey on this business and we’ve discovered rather a lot. We felt that it’s the precise time to make the music from our personal concepts, tales and intestine emotions. So, we’re making our new music and writing songs like this. And I feel individuals are beginning to settle for that being totally different is just not one thing to cover; it’s one thing to have fun. So, I assume the Ok-pop business is altering, slowly however certainly. It’s nonetheless not straightforward, however I do really feel like there’s more room to be extra open?
Sangwoo: “Bullet” has a message for everybody on the planet. It’s not concerning the chaos and the problems; it’s about wanting a extra peaceable world. So, I wrote elements of the primary and second verses. I wished the second to precise what I’m feeling extra naturally and add extra of my feelings to that verse.
Geonu: Charli xcx impressed “CHEST.” She’s the one who introduced that vibe and hyperpop to the mainstream. So, in spite of everything that, “CHEST” got here out being impressed in that approach.
Do you guys have upcoming plans for brand spanking new music?
Geonu: Nicely, we had a bunch of actually thrilling schedules in Monterrey. We met our ONLY B right here, so we had been specializing in that. However we’re planning for the second half of 2025; with all of the occasions, extra reveals and music. We additionally actually need to launch a brand new album.
Jimin: For the following album, we need to present much more progress from the elements of us that made JUST ODD. We’ve to work tremendous laborious to make an excellent higher album.
I feel the one factor left to the touch on is in case you have an up to date ultimate kind now, Bain?
Bain: [Group laughs] Nicely, it’s very typical to say, however a humorous particular person, somebody who I can have good interactions with, that’s very typical…however I’ll let you already know, I like tall folks. [Laughs]
And any last phrases to followers?
Geonu: So, to all of the ONLY B’s on the planet, and even those that are usually not an ONLY B but, we’re making strikes — true, trustworthy strikes. We’re working laborious on our true tales, refining our new branding, and sharing our true, genuine values. So, please stick along with us by means of this. You received’t remorse it.