JUST B’s Bain made history as the first K-pop boy band member to come out as gay during a Los Angeles concert on April 22, 2025, joining KATSEYE’s Lara and former Wassup member Jiae in openly embracing their LGBTQ+ identities. His bold announcement, met with overwhelming support from fans and bandmates, marks a significant moment for queer visibility in the K-pop industry.
Bain’s Courageous Announcement
On April 22, 2025, during JUST B’s “JUST ODD” world tour stop at the Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, Bain, whose real name is Song Byeonghee, paused his solo performance to share a personal message.
Alright, before I start the next song, tonight I want to share something with you guys. I’m f**king proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
The crowd erupted in cheers, showing immediate support. Bain continued, dedicating his performance to the LGBTQ+ community.
As a gay person… shoutout to my queen, Lady Gaga, for showing me that being different is beautiful. To anyone out there who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community or is still figuring things out, this is for you. And this is also for everyone.
He then performed a remixed cover of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” waving a rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. His bandmates—Geonu, Lim Jimin, JM, DY, and Sangwoo—hugged him on stage, displaying their support.
A Historic First for K-Pop Boy Bands
Bain, born in 2001 in Daejeon, South Korea, is the first member of a K-pop boy band to publicly come out as gay. This moment is groundbreaking in an industry often described as conservative, where few idols openly discuss their sexual orientation due to potential backlash.
Before Bain, only a handful of K-pop idols had come out publicly. Lara Raj of KATSEYE, a global girl group under Hybe, announced she was queer in March 2025 on the fan platform Weverse, saying:
I knew I was half a fruitcake when I was like 8, so I really was wanting everybody. Honestly, probably before 8.
Jiae, formerly of the girl group Wassup, came out as bisexual in 2023 on the show “Attack on Sisters,” sharing her struggles with societal stigma in South Korea. She said:
I want to live an ordinary life. I love men and women. When I started dating my first girlfriend, I wanted to watch a queer movie. But in the comment section, there were so many negative comments.
Bain’s announcement stands out as the first from an active male idol in a boy band, a genre where public disclosures of this nature are rare.
Support from Fans and Bandmates
The response to Bain’s coming out was overwhelmingly positive. Fans at the concert cheered loudly, and social media platforms like X buzzed with support. One fan wrote:
i’m bout to cry thinking about my snapshot with bain. i was thanking him for showing his true self and being so inspiring. he listened so sweetly and then fixed my hair for me and gave me the biggest hug. i love him sm
Another shared:
genuinely can’t stop thinking about how happy i am to be a fan of just b like. the members showing their love and support to bain is so special and so meaningful for a lot of us. truly stanning the right group
During a livestream after the concert, Sangwoo and Geonu praised Bain.
JUST B’s official Instagram reposted Bain’s announcement with the hashtag #ProudOfBain, signaling the group’s solidarity.
Bain’s Instagram Message
The day after the concert, Bain posted on his personal Instagram, reinforcing his message:
I want to share something real with you. I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community — as a gay person. And my queen Lady Gaga showed me that being different is beautiful. To anyone out there who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community, or still figuring it out — this is for you. You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way.
The post included footage from the concert, showing Bain waving the rainbow flag and performing energetically. Fans flooded the comments with messages of love and pride.
Challenges in the K-Pop Industry
Coming out in K-pop is rare due to the industry’s conservative norms and societal attitudes in South Korea. Hong Seok-cheon, the first South Korean celebrity to come out in 2000, faced severe backlash, including being fired from television gigs. He shared:
At the time, coming out was a huge shock. Prejudice against sexual minorities was severe, so they desperately tried to block the article.
Other openly queer K-pop artists, like soloists Holland and Mrshll, have faced discrimination, while LIONESSES, K-pop’s first LGBTQ+ boy band, has spoken about industry challenges. Jiae also highlighted biphobia, noting:
There is a stigma in South Korea that bi-sexual women are just women who are out there to have fun but ultimately will end up marrying a man.
Bain’s announcement, made on a major world tour stage, is a bold step toward greater acceptance.
JUST B’s Journey
JUST B debuted on June 30, 2021, under Bluedot Entertainment with their EP “Just Burn,” featuring the single “Damage.” The six-member group—Bain, Geonu, Lim Jimin, JM, DY, and Sangwoo—has released five EPs and multiple singles, including the 2024 English track “Daddy’s Girl.” Their latest mini-album, “Just Odd,” dropped in March 2025, with tracks like “Kid,” “Bullet,” and “Doom x3.”
Bain, the main vocalist and lead dancer, has also competed in shows like “Under Nineteen” in 2018 and “Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survivor” in 2024. In 2024, JUST B joined ATBO to form The Crew One for Mnet’s “Road to Kingdom: Ace of Aces.”
Broader Context in K-Pop
Lara’s coming out in March 2025 was significant for KATSEYE, a global group formed through Hybe and Geffen Records’ “The Debut: Dream Academy.” She expressed initial fears about her sexuality impacting her debut but found support from fans.
I was really scared, and now I’m so grateful that people in my life, and you guys, too, have been so supportive, so I feel so proud of it and no shame at all.
The openness of Bain, Lara, and Jiae reflects a slow shift in K-pop, where queer visibility is growing despite challenges. Fans on X noted the significance:
The fact that it’s 2025 and we still only have THREE out gay idols says a lot… I hope that the other closeted queer idols out there know they’re loved.
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Current Updates
As of April 24, 2025, Bain continues to receive widespread support from fans and the K-pop community. Bluedot Entertainment has not issued a detailed statement, noting that Bain’s announcement is a personal matter. JUST B is ongoing with their “JUST ODD” world tour, with upcoming performances expected to draw even more attention following Bain’s historic moment.
CREDITS: The Korea Herald, Billboard
