It was against this backdrop that Bain took the stage Tuesday night for a special solo performance in Los Angeles. There, he dropped a surprise announcement that sent his rabid fan base into a frenzy. The 23-year-old, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, revealed to his fans that he is “proud to be part of the LGBT community.” This new threshold moment for Bain is a tremendous game changer. Perhaps more importantly, it exposes the larger K-pop environment, where coming out is not only uncommon, but practically unthinkable.
The concert, held in front of a sold out crowd, would set the stage for Bain’s emotional admission. With each song he sang that day, he highlighted his similarities and differences with the LGBT community around him, and sang a message of acceptance. In her closing remarks, Bain sent an inspirational message of solidarity. He added, “This is for everybody who’s in the LGBT community, or just figuring it out. He went on, “You are not forgotten, you are not invisible and you were born this way.”
Bain’s announcement is a big deal. He joins a small cohort of K-pop artists who have publicly come out, including Jiae from Wassup and Lara from Katseye. His announcement is especially notable given a 2022 Human Rights Watch report found the widespread discrimination that LGBT people in South Korea experience. His insights are all the more remarkable given this context. In an industry rife with high expectations and limited margins for error, Bain’s courage to be vulnerable has resonated with admirers and artists alike. What inspires us is the moral courage behind that act.
Fellow Just B member Siwoo was so moved by Bain’s performance that he began to cry on screen himself. As he noted, “I know how difficult it was for him, and that just made me want to cry even more.” His bandmate’s support is a true reflection of the warm brotherhood that runs deep in Just B. Aside from their initial membership bump, this half-dozen has been kicking since early 2021 with five EPs and a handful of singles.
After the concert ended, Bain raced to post a video on social media. During it, he shared how thankful he was for the incredible support from his fans and reflected on this new experience. This decision is a clear sign of his personal commitment to fighting for the rights of the LGBT community. It further promotes transparency in an area where many are afraid to even talk about publicly.
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