Ok-pop group Simply B’s member Bain has revealed to followers he’s “proud to be a part of the LGBT group” – a uncommon transfer in an trade identified for its tight management over artists’ behaviour, the place stars usually hold particulars of their their private lives personal, significantly relationships.
The star, 23, is now amongst solely a handful of Ok-pop artists who’ve come out publicly.
Bain made the announcement in entrance of followers whereas performing a solo at a live performance in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.
The second was met with loud cheers from the group, in line with movies circulating on social media.
“To anybody on the market who’s a part of the LGBT group, or nonetheless figuring it out – that is for you guys,” Bain, whose actual identify is Track Byeong-hee, mentioned in a video posted on his social media after the live performance.
“You’re seen, you’re cherished, and also you have been born this fashion,” he added, earlier than launching right into a efficiency of Born This Means by pop icon Girl Gaga, whom he known as “my queen”.
His bandmates welcomed the announcement. Simply B member Siwoo mentioned he cried whereas watching Bain’s efficiency. “I understand how onerous it was for him, and that made me wish to cry extra,” he mentioned, in line with Korean media outlet News1.
The band’s followers have proven their help as effectively. “We love you a lot and are so pleased with you for being your self,” reads a top-liked remark below his Instagram submit.
“You’re so cherished. So proud to be your fan. Be pleased with who you’re,” one other fan wrote.
Shaped in 2021, Simply B is a six-member act that has launched 5 EPs and a number of singles.
Popping out stays extraordinarily uncommon in South Korea’s highly-pressurised leisure trade. Whereas homosexuality shouldn’t be unlawful within the nation, it stays taboo, and same-sex marriage shouldn’t be legally recognised.
A 2022 Human Rights Watch report described discrimination in opposition to LGBT individuals in South Korea as “pervasive”.
Bain shouldn’t be the primary Ok-pop star to return out. Simply final month, Lara, an Indian-American member of the lady group Katseye, got here out as queer on a Ok-pop fan group platform. In 2020, Jiae from the now-disbanded lady group Wassup introduced on Instagram that she is bisexual.
