K-Pop Artist Bain Felt Like He Could Breathe Again After Coming Out

K-pop artist Bain of Just B is ready to live his true and authentic self.

During a concert with his group last week in Los Angeles, Bain, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, came out to his fans.

“Tonight, I want to share something with you,” he said before his solo performance of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” “I’m fucking proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, as a gay person. Shout out to my queen Lady Gaga, who showed me that being different is beautiful. To everyone out there who’s part of LGBTQ+ or still figuring it out, this is for you guys. And, also, this is for everyone. You’re seen. You’re loved. And, you are born this way.”

The crowd erupted in cheers in full support of the 23-year-old singer after his announcement. He didn’t plan to come out during the North American leg of their Just Odd World Tour. However, it happened as he started receiving support and love from the fans throughout their tour.

“When we arrived in LA, it just felt natural – like it was the right time to share my true self with them,” Bain said in an email. “Their love gave me the courage to take that step.”

Immediately following his performance, news of his coming out went viral, with support from fans worldwide. Many sent him words of encouragement and congratulations on social media, some creating videos to express how much it meant to see an active artist living their truth.

Bain is honored and touched by all the love he’s received from the fans. He says he can’t fully put into words how much he appreciates the kindness people have shown him, feeling a “strong sense of responsibility to continue living honestly.”

“Seeing so many people resonate with my story has been incredibly moving, and it’s something I carry close to my heart every day,” says Bain. “It’s made me realize that sharing who I am can be a source of comfort, not just for myself, but for others too.”

For the artist, who began his musical journey as a contestant of 2018’s K-pop reality survival show, Under Nineteen, competing against 56 other contestants for a spot in a new K-pop idol group. While he did not make it into the final group, many entertainment companies noticed his talent and recruited him as a member of Bluedot Entertainment’s group, Just B. They debuted in 2021 with the release of their first mini-album, Just Burn.

Throughout that time, Bain never revealed his sexuality, which he found difficult and almost suffocating. There were times when he questioned his self-worth.

“Pretending to be someone I wasn’t, day after day, felt like I was slowly fading away,” he admits. “I convinced myself it was necessary — that hiding a part of myself was the price I had to pay to protect my dreams, my career, and the people I care about. But in the end, it left deep scars.”

Bain had only told his fellow members – Geonu, Lim Jimin, Siwoo, DY, and Sangwoo – the truth only two years ago, and received immediate acceptance and support from them. Yet, in an industry like K-pop, Bain had many doubts about coming out, fearing the group would lose fans and opportunities, as well as his career. It wasn’t until his team and company encouraged him to be genuine with himself after they’d seen him suffer in silence for many years.

“Before the announcement, I had already discussed it with them and with our company,” he reveals. “I asked them for their advice and thoughts, and everyone was incredibly supportive. Having their understanding and encouragement made it possible for me to take this step with confidence. In the end, I realized that being true to myself was the most important thing – not just for me, but for the authenticity of our team as well.”

On their official fan forum, Siwoo, knowing the hardship and pain Bain had faced holding this secret, expressed his love and support for his teammate, telling the fans, “Byeong-hee was amazing today. I applaud his courage. I was watching backstage, and it brought me to tears.”

Bain’s performance of Lady Gaga’s 2011 gay anthem “Born This Way” was very freeing for him, as the song and artist had made a significant impact on his life. Through Gaga’s words, he felt inspired to embrace his real self, even in the face of pressure or expectation.

“She’s shown me that vulnerability is strength, and that art is about being real, even when it’s difficult,” he says. “I am deeply grateful to her for inspiring me to be unapologetically myself and for showing me the power of authenticity.”

His message to the crowd was intended for everyone, including future artists who may struggle with their identity, and that they should not have to hide who they are to succeed.

“I will show that being true to yourself is not a barrier to success but rather a way to create art that’s authentic and meaningful,” he explains. “I hope that by sharing my story, other artists will feel empowered to do the same, knowing that they are not alone and that their unique qualities have the power to make a real impact on the world.”

While homosexuality is not illegal in South Korea, there is still a prejudice against those in the LGBTQ+ community due to the country’s conservative upbringing. Though times have changed, it’s still very rare for public figures in Korea, especially active K-pop idols, to be openly gay.

Korean broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon faced discrimination when he first came out 25 years ago, losing friends and his career. After being forced out of the entertainment industry, he found success as a restaurateur and in several businesses. As the industry and audience became more open and accepting, he began acting again and hosting several talk shows, including his popular show, Jewel Box.

In an interview with Korean media, Hong celebrated Bain’s coming out and sent an open invitation for the singer to come on Jewel Box. “First of all, it’s something to celebrate. I’ve never met [Bain], but I sympathized with what worries and thoughts I came out with and how hard it must have been to make that decision. It takes courage to come out, but in fact, it takes more courage to endure it.”

Although Bain has received a lot of love, he has also encountered some negative comments, leaving him a sense of guilt and sadness. But he doesn’t let that get him down. He is thankful for his fans as they’ve been his driving force behind everything he does. And, as an artist, he’s “committed to continuing to create great music and present the best version of myself.”

“Coming out wasn’t about being brave — it was about survival,” Bain says. “I just needed to breathe again. And thankfully, that moment finally came. Now, without carrying that weight, I can live lighter, stronger, and truer to myself. For the first time, I feel truly alive.”