Bain, a member of the K-pop boy band Just B, has publicly come out.
The 23-year-old opened up about his sexuality during a concert in Los Angeles—a rare move in the high-pressure Korean music industry, where artists are often extremely cautious about revealing their private lives.
“I’m proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community as a gay man,” Bain said during his solo performance. Videos shared on social media showed the crowd erupting in loud cheers.
“To everyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, or still seeking to understand it, this is for you. You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way,” he added.
According to Korean media outlet News1, Bain is the first male K-pop star to publicly come out. Following Tuesday’s concert, Bain’s bandmate Siwoo posted a supportive message on a fan platform: “I was watching from backstage and cried too. I cried even more because I knew how hard it was for him.”