A Month Full Of Pride: Ways K-Pop Idols Have Shown Their Support For The LGBTQIA+ Community

Maria Toombs

Photo Credits: holland_vvv, _mariahwasa, jenaissante, ateez_official_

Summer is here, marking the arrival of June and the much-anticipated celebration: Pride Month!

While loving and expressing oneself knows no bounds, June radiates with sunshine and invites everyone to embrace their true selves, regardless of their identity.

In the K-pop industry, fans and idols unite to celebrate diversity and support each other's journeys. Idols, in particular, have used their platforms to champion LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

Here's a glimpse into how K-pop idols have shown solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, along with empowering songs to uplift and inspire you during this season of self-expression:​

Holland

Debuting in 2018 with the release of single “Neverland”, Go Tae-Seob, famously known as Holland also became one of the first openly gay K-pop idols in the industry.

Constantly expressing his love for the community knows no boundaries as he shows love and self expression and all it is encompasses in songs like “Nar_C”, “NUMBER BOY” and “I’m Not Afraid”. 

It also goes to mention featured actor in the “NUMBER BOY” music video, Kim Ji Woong from Zerobaseone, holds an immense sense of pride after starting his acting career starring in two BL’s (Boy-Love) series titled “Kissable Lips” and “Roommates of Poongduck 304”. Stating proudly on the Boy’s Planet survival stage that the series were indeed BL’s, he made his dreams come true and debuted as the oldest member in the fifth-generation group. 

Wheein (Mamamoo)

With the release of single “Goodbye” in 2019, Mamamoo member Jung Whee-in incorporated yearning and heartbreak through the life of two women in her music video.

In her “soar” Making Prologue #2 video, she discussed her thought process for this heartbreaking ballad and expressed how she believes various forms of love exist in the world. 

Voicing that “love is such a natural and obvious emotion” and “just like how everything has different shapes, love also has various shapes but they’re all the same, they’re all the same love” 

Yunjin (Le Sserafim) 

Always vocal about how love is unconditional and always sending out support to queer artists, Huh Yunjin from girl group Le Sserafim has shown support for the LGBTQ+ community ever since she’s debuted. 

Seen reading “Ashes and Foam” a fantasy/queer romance story that also addresses the issues women face in today’s society, posting on Le Sserrafim’s shared X account during pride month a throwback picture saying “I love you. Unconditionally”, amongst other comments on Weverse and in fan calls are some of the many things Yunjin has done to show support. 

Hongjoong (ATEEZ)

Leader of the eight-member boy group ATEEZ, Kim Hongjoong has stated many times that he wishes to create a clothing brand that is not only inclusive of all genders but also all body types.  

“Usually we go to shop and there is a mans side and a womans side, but I don’t want to make that, I think it will be with no gender,” Hongjoong said about his dream for a fashion brand in YouTube video “A K-pop Group Styled Me For A Week Feat. Ateez”. 

In the same video when asked about their styles member Park Seonghwa also stated that he likes a genderless and sleek type of look, as he always expresses just how fluid his fashion sense is. 

As many other K-pop idols show support for the LGBTQ+ community allowing K-pop to become this safe space for a lot of queer people in the world here are some songs to keep you motivated and love your true self this pride month: 

Omega X - Stay With Me (Jazz For Two Soundtrack) 

Also appearing in a BL drama member Hangyeom made his acting debut and all members of Omega X appeared on the soundtrack for this upbeat ballad “Stay With Me” about seeing the stars and staying with your loved one. 

Members Jaehan and Yechan also played lovers in BL drama A Shoulder to Cry On last year. 

“Stay with me as we are right now, my love 
Wake me up in the morning of my days 
Stay with me here, my love 
Will you quickly hold my hand?”

Hwasa (Mamamoo) - I Love My Body

Released on September 6th, 2023, Hwasa created the perfect “love yourself” anthem with “I Love My Body”. Listening to this song you can get some encouragement to love every part of yourself no matter how you look. 

“Whether I lost weight ot not, what’s it to you? 
It’s no longer good to see you 
Pointless greetings for who 
‘Cause my body’s more than that”

LOOSSEMBLE - Girl’s Night

Releasing their second mini-album “One Of A Kind” with title track “Girl’s Night” you get an empowering anthem about breaking free from what society expects of you, while also learning to fully embrace yourself in the process. 

“Show me everything, your real world inside the 
drawer of your heart
Fear doesn’t suit you”

OnlyOneOf - skinz 

Listen to what it means to be in your true skinz with this grunge take on being yourself despite what others think. 

“Face off, show me what’s behind the mask, under skin” sign along to skinz as you show the true you this June. 

Also, read this message under their music video for the track for another shot of dOpamine;

“It doesn’t matter who you are.
It doesn’t matter whether you are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, male, or female.
I’m saying that your mere skin doesn’t matter.
All that matters is you.”

Have a happy and safe pride!

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