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I agree, I’ve been in so many work environments where coworkers were seeing each other and these are supposed to be professional places. Where there is a will there’s a way and we don’t all think rationally when emotions and especially hormones are involved. Like previously stated most of these idols are in their late teens, early to mid 20s and as someone who’s there now I’m not shocked at all at the idea of idols not caring about the dating ban. We have gotten confirmation so many times of idols from different groups and companies being friends and having group chats. These are idols whose fans had no idea even knew or interacted with each other calling themselves close friends. When you take all that into account it’s not that hard to come to the conclusion that these idols regardless if they’re straight or queer or likely seeing each other. Aren’t more queer kids in pretty much any country more likely to gravitate towards the entertainment business? I’ve also heard a few times that it’s hard for these companies to find rappers because a lot of actual rappers don’t want to be idols. I’m pretty sure there’s still some stigma associated with being idols in Asia. And when we also take this into account it’s not that hard to imagine gay/queer idols seeing each other. Plus wasn’t Sunoo seen hanging out with boys from boys planet? Gay idols are going to find each other whether they’re in the same group or not.

So I've been thinking lately about the true proportion of folks in the K-pop boy group realm that are gay or some form thereof. I think there are some obvious advantages in Korean society for a gay person to become involved in the entertainment industry, and so I've long suspected that the percentage of gay people in the K-pop industry is quite a bit higher than the general population. I decided to sit down and quantify it using groups that I'm personally a fan of. For context, that's 65 groups included disbanded and inactive groups made up of 495 members total. I counted only the ones that I personally felt very confident that they were somewhere in the LGBT+ spectrum. I counted 80. That's 16% for only ones that's I'm quite confident about. I suspect the true proportion might be close to 20-25% For those that are interested, I'm putting the whole list spoilered below. It's too long otherwise. These are mostly not based on any evidence other than my own feelings. There are more in the industry that I believe are gay, but I'm not necessarily a fan of their group. I included former members with the groups I know them best for.

The first time I posted on this thread I tried to convey this thoughts with my poor English. To be honest since I've liked kpop for so long I've seen a lot of scandals where newly debuted idols were caught in dating news and I always wondered why they risked their career like that. As I grew older and also had a few professional experiences I realised that the majority of kpop fans view their idols as someone who can't make their own decisions , that all idols are "tamed" and follow the rules strictly. While I know some really respect them, it's most likely the majority do date in private and take the risks to get caught. It's important to note that compagnies hide their idols relationship if they haven't been caught even though they "broke" their no dating clause if they have one. When we add sexuality in question it's a bit harder but at the same time I do think it's easier for idols to date when they are gay or lesbians, because at the end of the day, majority of their fans would call it close friendship and they know it. Because they think they can't be gay as it will ruin their career. But they seem to forget that idols are just like you and me, they feel the same way as us, and you can't decide for them that they will never try anything if they like someone just because of their contract. Like I said in a earlier post, not only in the music industry but others too. You don't know what people can do for love ( or anything else really) because you are simply not them. If your coworkers break the no dating policy in your company, idols can too. It's a matter of hiding it well.

The most interesting person to always show up on this thread to me is Lee Know. His name has been mentioned here so often and yet other than having a really strong ship with Jisung no one has any other explanation. With Felix he had that 'girl or boy' line that he said to the fan who asked him about his ideal type, Changbin [as some people mentioned here previously] had written a few songs with lyrics that are indicative of something deeper. Hyunjin with changing lyrics from girlfriend to boyfriend and also talking about a song '1-800-273-8255' by Logic and he was also seen reading a book "Harmless Person to You" a lesbian lovestory, Chan has several times openly shown support but he comes off as an ally to me. Jisung, Sungmin, Jeongin nothing much ig. Or maybe I'm not sure cause I haven't kept up with the group recently. What exactly do we have with Lee Know? Do we have something that I am missing? The only one thing is him wearing a safety pin earing? I am genuinely asking here. Infact when Stray Kids are discussed His name is probably the one to be mentioned first.

just a small thing, i remember seeing a while back that minsung actually didn't identify as asexual and later said believed he hadn't actually been able to fully experiment or be able to come to terms with his own sexuality when he was a kpop idol but i could be wrong (i think he said it in a video that was an interview with his friend? can't remember though and it's hard to find the source. tweet embedded below is the most i could find on it)

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The saga continues

INFINITE is gearing up for their return! On July 7, the group released an image with the caption “TIME TO INFINITE” and announced that something is “coming soon” on July 31. Following the teaser, the group’s leader Kim Sungkyu uploaded the image on his Instagram Stories and wrote, “Comeback,” confirming the group’s return. Source: Soompi

other people quoting some more superficial things but honestly it’s how connected he is with the gay community in his personal life. take a look at his close friend group and they are all connected, with many of them openly out; fashion brand owners, cafe owners, restaurant owners, drag queens, stylists, hair stylists, etc. (by the way his supposed bf is close friends with an openly gay tiktoker who went over to key’s place for dinner wishing “happy 1000 days” but that is for another day…) gay rumors since he was a rookie, sightings at gay clubs/bars since he was of age. general consensus on queer k-twitter that he is gay and they’ve heard stories about him. love and support for queer media, spaces, and icons. look at the places that he actually goes to. look further and you see that they are owned by queer people themselves. what shawols show you https://www.instagram.com/p/CuGsIU2p8WM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== the restaurant this but for all of his career. just a recent example. honestly that is all that is needed to me. idk why people think that there aren’t gay korean people out here living their lives because i see his friends doing just that. i find it funny when people are like convince me key is gay because you need convincing? just look at his personal life. how did i make this longer than i intended idk anyway im not here to convince anyone i just couldn’t let this turn into a superficial he covered a song with male pronouns and wore pride shoes! thing. sincerely, person who has been up kibum’s ass for over 10 years.

Regarding the current discussion, I don't want to sound overly negative, but I believe many people underestimate the extent of fanservice in Kpop. Everybody knows that fans love witnessing cute interactions between members (whether they interpret them as romantic or not) and Kpop companies have always capitalized on this for their marketing strategies, sometimes even pushing specific couples (see what SM did with Yunjae for example). Idols also undergo PR training, keep tabs of what is being said about them on social media, and are fully aware of fans likes and dislikes. Most of the time what you see on camera is just what they want you to see. This is not to say “these idols are all straight guys doing fanservice!!” (I agree that there is a fair share of gay idols) or “everything you know about them is fake!!” (because nobody can fake their persona 100% of the time). But honestly, I don't think it's worth spending time analyzing all those cuddly and flirty moments between bandmates in variety shows or any official content... That being said, I have no doubt that there are male idol/male idol couples. It's just that, regardless of their sexual orientation, most celebrities are protective of their private life and relationships. I do agree with you @pyunkangyul regarding matching social media posts because obviously some celeb couples do this. Same goes for matching clothes/accessories. However, being super affectionate in front of cameras is a whole different level that not many people would be comfortable with, in my opinion. Of course, one could argue that gay couples are protected to some extent since everything they do will be labeled as fanservice or bromance, but it's still unnecessary risky? The more you act like a couple, the more attention it puts on your relationship and any potential slip-up you might have (imagining having your every interaction scrutinized by shippers...way too stressful)

Thank you for your service

In the vast majority of cases, I think of them as gay, but that is more because gay is how I experience the world. Many of them may identify themselves as something else in the queer spectrum. I included Minsung (Former Topp Dogg) on my list, and he has characterized his own sexuality as asexual. What little study there has been asexuality has mostly found that they still lean one way or another even if only in terms of whom they find objectively more attractive, so I would assume that Minsung’s “lean” is towards men. I guess you could say that these are male idols that I’m confident “lean” towards men.

Back in May, Baekhyun shared that he will comeback as his favorite character from League of Legends 'Ezreal'. and he did indeed... Baekhyun from 'Cream Soda' teasers: Ezreal from League of Legend: Baekhyun from 'Hear Me Out' teasers: Ezreal from League of Legend: Baekhyun is known as a gamer among fans, and this isn't the first time he takes inspiration from his favorite game characters. As he previously cosplayed as the mummy from PUBG for Halloween. Mummy set from PUBG: throwback to Baekhyun x League of Legends E-sport team collab, hope we get another collab:

Underrated queen! I miss Spica

i need to be kinder to myself

Looks like this show was a bust no matter which way it went

Happy 7th Anniversary NCT 127!

07/06/2023 [naenae_studio] Instagram update with Chorong & Namjoo

07/06/2023 [sarangdungy] Instagram story update

Individual Concept Films #2 Mimi Yubin YooA

230704 Cha Eunwoo Instagram Update (❀) Eunwoo: #subway

I don’t understand their thought process behind their self sabotage. They were only one song famous, had a shaky fandom foundation, no solid Korean fan base to go to bat for them and no recognisability as individuals, yet they decided to throw everything away by biting the hand that fed them. The more information we get, the more I feel bad for their CEO and frustrated at the girls for having it relatively easy and messing it all up.

why did he do that since twitter stuff doesn't embed anymore should i just send the link and then the caption of the tweet? lmao https://twitter.com/sunghaobin/status/1675920711863377927 - "hao looking down and stroking hanbins back then immediately scratching his head afterwards trying to make it look like nothing happened IM CRYING LMFAO" also this when all the other members faced the front

Taerae's their best, followed by Zhang Hao. Both of them are Average, and not really my cup of tea either. Hui oversang wayyy too much on the show that I really couldn't appreciate his voice lol

Maybe it's just me feeling that way At first, when Minho and Kibum were standing, I wondered why they were so close to each other. But after watching the stage on the 3rd, I realized that Jonghyun was in the position between Taemin and Minho. The protagonist of that spot was Jonghyun original post: here 1. Ah I'm crying 2. Ah what the? I'm a mess 3. Ah this is why I was crying... 4. I miss Jonghyun 5. SHINee's album this time was so good!! 6. ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ They're forever together 7. Jonghyun-ah I mis you 8. Always together 9. We're always together 10. I'm crying in the morning Source: pannchoa

Yeah, they've done this since his departure. I'm happy they keep his memory alive in small and big ways.

This is sooo true. There's also a thing where people say "korean fans know everything! they just keep it hidden from international fans!". Come on now. There will be some fans who know stuff bc they hang out with sasaeng fans or they're able to look up rumors in Korean but the large majority of them are in the same position as international fans when it comes to gossip.

I somehow didn't notice this part but I have some thoughts. This gives me the impression that you think Seonghwa made that face because he doesn't like having dating rumours with a male. But I see it differently - he probably would have reacted the same way if the rumours were about a female idol. His reaction wasn't because of the sex of the person at all, he probably quite simply just found the question weird and disrespectful. You don't bring up dating rumours to an idol on a fancall, i mean cmon, he had every right to be be mad (and disgusted)

Well,, yes? Kinda. Not a coincidence but like how is someone good at fanservice. It's not hard to exaggerate a bit for fanservice when you're already close with someone. Flirting with fans is one thing, but I haven't seen Yeonjun do like fanservice fanservice with others. Not saying he hasn't cause he must have, but almost all idols do, and his interactions with his members seem like they are just having fun most of the time. The original comment said that he must do it for female attention. I can see that with flirting w fans but I don't think he flirts with his members for this reason. He just as i said, seems like the type to act couple-y with friends as a joke.

I hate to say it because I kind of like him but I've met a few of the "straight boy who uses homoeroticism and/or androgyny to be more appealing to women" types irl. And he's always reminded me of that type I'm sure a lot of straight male idols are though so can't be disappointed.

We've had this conversation before but sasaeng information is not exactly reliable. First of all, there's a lot of conflicting info to begin with and several sasaengs contradict eachother with it. Second of all, fans in inner/domestic circles are very persistent on keeping it like that. They hardly leak any info to the outside out of fear that ifans will get to know and blow it up. And if anything, I doubt exposing an idol's sexuality in a very conservative country would be the bit of information they release. Sasaengs are also just terrible people in general. Even if the information is true, we shouldn't spread it or trust it because it vindicates them and the horrible shit they do. It gives them more of a reason to make these idols' lives harder.

True, but same can be said for BTS when they roast Jimin if he gets too excited when he sees male interviewers. BTS just does it more subtle than Exo and they don't have the habit of outing their members preferences like Exo does. I have only seen one instance in were yoongi was savage, but that was towards Tae for liking a photographer and jhope bluntly saying you fall in love to easily.

Even in 2018, when rumors of problems in Ki's marriage began, Tae and Bogum had already begun to driffted away from each other. To be honest, I can't believe no one has heard of these rumors. Maybe it's because we haven't talked too much about the actors here.

Tae and Bogum got closer during Song Joon Ki's marriage process. Joon Ki and Song Hye Kyo meet and get close during their drama filming 2016, and Tae and Bogum have been seen together more often since then. And, unsurprisingly, they moved away from each other at the end of his marriage. Song Joong Ki divorced in July 2019, and Tae and Bogum were last spotted together in June 2019. I don't know... It seemed like a coincidence too big to be a coincidence to me.

Damn Tae looked hella uncomfortable in this video and he didn't seem genuinely happy. He didn't approach Bogum in any way, and that hug was quite something (he literally shifted the other way as soon it was initiated lol). Something def seemed to have transpired in their friendship/relationship? Definitely food for thought.

WHAT? Didn't Bogum play the piano and serenade at his wedding? I did some research and found out that Bogum was crying at his wedding. And Song teared up in the audience as Bogum won the Best Actor award at KBS Drama Awards, 2016. Bogum even thanked him in his awards acceptance speech. As far as I know, Jungkook also has some pretty gossips/pictures about girlfriends.

That video was always super sus to me. Taehyung definitely didn’t know he was coming as he looked shocked, and he was asked if he knew and he said he didn’t. Honestly for me Bogum’s surprise presence felt more like plea than anything else lmao. It was SO awkward between them. The way Tae shifted away from the hug at the end lmaoooo. They met up one more time publicly after this and have not mentioned each other or been spotted together since, and it’s been over a year. So I think it’s pretty much over, “friendship” or otherwise between them. A lot of taekook shippers said Jungkook was jealous or whatever because he was staring hard as hell at Taehyung and holding him and what not, but he honestly just looked concerned to me lol ...but theories are just theories I guess

I also follow the Cfans rumors, but what I read is that there is a secret relationship between Bogum and another actor Song Joong-ki. Some say that his wife cheated on him with Bogum, others say that his marriage failed due to the relationship between him and Bogum, and that marriage was a lavender marriage. I don't know which one to believe lol

Sehun hetero rumors feel like a hate crime. Also isn't know that many fans start rumors to protect their idols? And how could Suho date Apink Chorong when the guy has been so close and actually has receipts to be dating Donghwan? I think sometimes some people forget that friendship between opposite sex people exist.

yeah, i think there was a controversy 2 weeks ago about her being too "handsy" with guys and leaning on them too much. knetz said she was "trying too hard" to flirt which was kinda like guys and girls can be friends without any feelings between them...

I honestly don't feel any romantic chemistry from them at all. Personally, I feel like Soobin enjoys the attention from the male idols he interviews female idols. I think there's a very stark difference between how he acts with them (Jackson, Ateez, Minhyuk, Q for example) and the female idols (Mamamoo, Twice, Itzy, Aespa)