Celebrity Hong Suk Chun recently shared his enthusiastic support for Bain, a member of Just B, who publicly came out as a LGBTQ community member. This news marks a significant milestone in the Korean entertainment industry, as it has been 25 years since Hong's own coming out revelation.
Speaking with Xportnews in a phone interview, Hong Suk Chun expressed his surprise and emotions upon hearing about Bain's coming out. He found it to be both a pleasant surprise and a long-awaited update, noting that he did not anticipate it taking this long for another male celebrity to follow his footsteps.
During Just B's World Tour 'JUST ODD' concert in Los Angeles on the 22nd, Bain bravely announced his identity, stating, "I am proud to be a member of the LGBTQ community," using the term LGBTG, which includes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.
This is the first time in 25 years that a male celebrity in Korea has openly come out since Hong Suk Chun's landmark disclosure in 2000. While there have been other instances of LGBTQ confessions in K-pop, including Jiae from Wassup in 2021 and KATSEYE's Lara earlier this year, Bain's decision to come out as a male idol is groundbreaking.
Hong Suk Chun commended Bain's courage, emphasizing the significance of his actions. He acknowledged the challenges male idols face in making such revelations and expressed hope that this would pave the way for more openness within the industry.
Reflecting on the lengthy gap since his own coming out, Hong expressed astonishment at the slow progress. He believed that more individuals, both in entertainment and society, would have shared their truths by now.
Although Hong Suk Chun has not met Bain personally, he empathized with the young idol's journey to this decision and stressed the importance of remaining true to oneself amidst potential challenges. Despite anticipating opposition due to Bain's career in entertainment, Hong emphasized the importance of resilience and dedication to one's dreams.
As Hong Suk Chun's public coming out anniversary is commemorated, Bain's revelation as a male K-pop idol is celebrated as a significant moment in the industry. Hong's enduring support for Bain amidst the historic moment is lauded, underscoring the courage displayed by both individuals.