The world is becoming more open and more accepting of all forms of race, gender, and sexuality. Still, in South Korea, being LGBTQ+ can be a cause of ridicule and can be seen negatively. These K-pop idols, however, have proudly shown their support for the community and are helping others become more accepting of different people.
1. BTS Suga
All of the BTS members have openly supported LGBTQ+ rights, and Suga has been especially vocal. During an interview with Billboard, as they talked about RM liking the song "Same Love" by Macklemore and the LGBTQ+ community, Suga proudly stated, "There's nothing wrong [with being LGBTQ+]. Everyone is equal." In 2014, Suga stated in a Japanese interview that dating was "not limited to a girl" and that gender does not matter.
2. Sunmi
During a concert in Amsterdam back in 2019, Sunmi was videoed saying, "Yeah, I have many different sides of me, like dorky and LGBT... LGBT Queen." Throughout the concert, Sunmi proudly spoke about identity. While some people though Sunmi was coming out as part of the LGBT community, Sunmi took to Twitter to explain that she supports LGBT but was not part of the community, she was just an ally.
She said, "Yeah, I support LGBT but don't get me wrong guys." During that tour, Sunmi constantly mentioned the LGBTQ+ community in passing, as her tour had coincided with Pride Month.
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3. LOONA Yves
During an interview with MTV News, LOONA talked about their large LGBTQ+ fan base. There, Yves revealed that she was aware of how fans interpreted her solo song "New" and Chuu's solo song "Heart Attack" as having LGBTQ+ elements.
She said, "When the song was being written and the video was being filmed, we did not see it like that. For us, it was a story about yearning, but we are so thankful that it was translated that way." She went on to say that LOONA wants to go beyond gender, race, and nationality.
4. TWICE
TWICE has shown their support for the LGBTQ+ community in numerous ways. Back in 2019, members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Mina, and Chaeyoung performed a unit stage at their "TWICELIGHTS in Seoul" concert. They sang Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and proudly sang the lines: "No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, I'm on the right track baby, I was born to survive."
Member Chaeyoung has said that she illegally downloaded the movie "Carol", a 2015 lesbian-centered film. Sana said in a V Live that families can have two mothers and that not all families have a mom and dad. Lastly, TWICE as a whole has recommended the lesbian anime "Yuri Yuri."
5. SHINee Jonghyun
Jonghyun previously changed his profile picture on his Twitter account to a handwritten letter of a transgender student from Sungkonghoe University. At the time, there was a "Annyeong Protest", which highlights the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in South Korea.
It was later revealed by the student, Kang Eun Ha, that Jonghyun had reached out to her to inform her that he would be using the letter as his profile picture and asked if it was alright, because he did not want to put unwanted attention onto her.
He then went on to say, “I support you. As a celebrity, as a minority of a different type in front of the public, I also feel disappointment towards the world that does not accept our differences. Of course, I can't compare that to what you feel.”
6. MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO as a group has openly supported the LGBTQ+ movement, saying that they love and care for people from every race, sexuality, religion, and gender. The group was all seen wearing "rainbowmomo" pins, which come from the first-ever queer K-Fandom community. Proceeds from the pins go to queer projects every year. The group was also pictured with Harisu, a transgender singer, model, actress, and the second person in South Korea to legally change their sex.
7. EXID LE
In 2019, LE was spotted going to a gay bar with her friends twice in one month. On one occasion, she went to celebrate her friend's birthday. Her friend is a drag queen. Another one of her friends, who happens to be a transgender woman, shared a video of LE dancing to EXID's song "I Love You" at a gay club called Trunk Seoul. Additionally, LE has a tattoo that reads, "Deny me and be doomed". The quote comes from the LGBT music "Hedwig and the Angry Inch".
ALSO READ: Top 5 K-pop Music Videos To Showcase The LGBTQ+ Pride Month
8. Girls' Generation Tiffany
In September 2018, Tiffany penned a love letter to the LGBT community. Her letter thanks the community for giving so much love, beauty, inspiration, and light to the world, and tells them that they inspire so many people with their strength. She went on to say that the LGBTQ+ community and their themes of self-love, unconditional love, acceptance, and freedom of expression are things that inspire her and give her courage. In the end, she sends them words of encouragement, saying "I stand by you and celebrate you not only on this day but every day."
For her song "Over My Skin", Tiffany stated she purposely did not mention a man in her song so that women with different preferences can relate to the song.
9. Ladies Code Ashley
During an episode of "Arirang Radio", Ladies Code Ashley gave advice to a lesbian viewer who was too nervous to come to her family. She said that she hopes the viewer gains to courage to come out to her family and that she hopes her family will love and accept their daughter.
During a radio show called "Sound K", a host pointed out the song she was singing about had she/her pronouns. Ashley insisted on singing the original version, saying, "I could be singing about a girl too, you know."
10. Dreamcatcher Yoohyeon
During Dreamcatcher's tour in Brazil back in 2017, Yoohyeon and Jiu were asked if they believed in all kinds of love and if they support the LGBTQ+ community, and both girls answered yes. During a photo shoot for the group's first concert, Yoohyeon was seen wearing a transgender symbol pin. Lastly, during an interview, Yoohyeon revealed that she lives hardworking people. The interviewer then said that she likes hardworking men and Yoohyeon created them by saying, "No, hardworking person, anyone."
Know any other idols who support the LGBTQ+ community? Share them in the comments below!
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