If an idol came out tomorrow, do you think Koreans would really be that bad about it?

[Jack!]

So, hear me out here.

 

17 years ago when Hong Seok Cheon came out, people deemed his career over. He essentially landed himself unemployed. Fast forward all these years, and despite not being as huge as he was before, he's landed a successful chain of restaurants in Seoul and has managed to rebuild a career.

 

I was watching a few videos on YouTube, and I was surprised going into them, to see exactly what the opinions are of young Koreans.

 

 

 

 

 

[/yoube]

 

 

So, first of all, I know three 10 minute videos of a very small selection of people talking about it isn't a representation of a whole demographic, but it's something I've been seeing a lot lately that the younger generation of Koreans seem to be more open-minded in regards to the topic of homosexuality. I also understand that not everyone is going to accept it. Even in the West, religion still plays a huge part in homophobia, and a lot of young kids still get teased by other kids who aren't quite so understand of it.

 

I think we need to bare in mind that even in the Western world, it wasn't totally accepted 17 years ago either. People however could still be open about it, due to a huge comeuppance of support in the 70's to the 80's. Growing up in the 90's it was still very taboo, and most of the rights gay people have now and have fought for in recent years didn't come around until after 2010, so it still took us some time too.

 

And this is coming from a place like Korea, where their capital city has a whole district for gay people to retreat to. Seoul has more open gay bars, clubs and stores than my home city of Glasgow does. Why, in 2017, are they still struggling to be open-minded?

 

One thing I hear a lot of is people saying "you have to respect the fact Korea isn't quite there yet" and I hear the same about racism too. I'd say, actually, we don't need to respect that. If in the Western world we didn't have figureheads and gay icons coming out and rallying for a movement in the community, do you think the Western world would be so forward and progressive? I think not.

 

Do you think it's time for a Korean celebrity to come out? If so, do you think they could challenge Korea to their old history and perhaps help start a movement the country desperately needs for the LGBT community over there?

 

Please, discuss.

[youth]

they do not even admit to date..

hopefully yes, but people want idols to have flawless image where fans can imagine themselves with them

[________________]

Lmao.

 

Irrelevant but I noticed everyone on O!H is like "Koreans aren't as pale as you think" but 90% of the people in the vids have light skin?

[syricus]

i don't think it will be as bad as hong seok cheon. this generation is way more open and people's opinions are changing slightly. korea's getting there but they aren't there completely.

 

i think they'll be able to continue as an idol. but it depends on the fanbase. if the fanbase consists mostly of younger fans they probably will get shit but they'll still be successful since its a younger, more open-minded fanbase supporting them. they might not be able to do everything, but they'll be able to do something. 

 

but the military shit so they shouldn't say anything lmao

 

edit: they only seem less open-minded because the older generation is still controlling the government. there's a lot of videos of young adult/adult koreans being open minded about lgbt topics.

[icedcoffee]

No, they're not ready. See: issues that gay men in the military are facing that are endangering their lives

[skcebl]

I don't think they'd care that much if it was an older female idol.

[chiirbii]

Are we talking celebrity or idol?

 

Malgopy/Maman is a soloist that came out as a lesbian and her label dropped her. Granted, she found another label and this all went down nearly ten years ago, but it's still a harsh reminder.

 

MRSHLL is doing good, as a soloist. He's working with a lot of established names (like Tiger JK and Tasha) and his debut is coming up iirc. 

 

I think Korea could handle a non-idol musician but I really wouldn't want to be that trailblazer. It's gonna be a tough road.

[syricus]

I don't think they'd care that much if it was an older female idol.

 

cuz they don't take female idols as seriously 

[Deviandrepepe]

The problem is the military. And every idol post military are often not as popular and that makes it risky. (less fans to defend u). And even idol who have been obvious as fuk still never state it too blantly.

[LisaTurtle]

Koreans get mad about people putting their hands in their pockets so....

[missycin]

an idol cannot even date, make mistake, gain weight, etc etc

that idol will be crucified and his/her parents or lack of filial piety would be even brought up

[Myth]

Yes, it would still be career and social suicide. These YouTube videos paint a narrative that is not objective truth in order to satisfy the perceptions foreigners hold over the country. Even as a foreigner living in Korea, I can STILL lose my job if I came out. There are no laws in place that protect sexual minorities. I've hooked up with a lot of Koreans. They are not out. They don't plan to come out. They will go on to marry women. And I even had one who said he'll take his secret to the grave. Korea is not as open-minded as people want it to be.

[sakurahanabira]

Lmao.

 

Irrelevant but I noticed everyone on O!H is like "Koreans aren't as pale as you think" but 90% of the people in the vids have light skin?

I've been to Korea and I saw just as many Koreans with tanned skin.

[________________]

I've been to Korea and I saw just as many Koreans with tanned skin.

Your definition of tan is probably different from mine.

[skcebl]

 

cuz they don't take female idols as seriously 

 

 

Because they have less intense fans that don't hold dating over them. The only person that seemed to care that Uee was dating Kangnam was Uee. Replace Kangnam with a woman and the reaction is probably the same.

[dibidibidubu]

I don't know.. when I was studying in Korea, a Korean professor came out to my friend's class. He was concerned the school would fire him if the students spread it because there are no laws about sexuality-based discrimination in the workplace there. He moved abroad pretty much immediately after :/

 

I think it might also depend on the idol and what their image is. 

[michiru]

if it was a female idol there would probs be a ton of comments about it being a phase, attention-seeking, etc. idk about male idols, i think people would take it more seriously, but that's not always a good thing. a lot of straight people love to fetishize homosexuality so who knows. 

[Extremedivas]

they do not even admit to date..

hopefully yes, but people want idols to have flawless image where fans can imagine themselves with them

^

 

Idols supposed to be squeaky clean with no scandal even no dating scandal. Idols supposed to be single for the fandom and the fans. If idols coming out as gay and lesbian that is a ending to their careers. Especially they are married and in a relationship.

 

YG release a idols banned contract for his idols like black pink and winner also ikon. They can't have a relationship even they can't has tattoos even partying in club.

 

Kpop idols don't have freedom like Korean rappers. Because Korean rappers are not under contract in a idols company. Idols can say and do thing under contract.

 

If idols coming out gay is bad for their safety and career. They has to stay in the closet when their contract ends.

 

 

V KPOP idols industry be like V

South Korea doesn't have protection laws on the LGBT community. They don't even have anti-discrimination laws because of religious church people control the government.

 

V This is my quote V

 

[sakurahanabira]

Your definition of tan is probably different from mine.

 

I mean I've seen Koreans irl who had similar skintone as Hyorin.

 

Heck I'm Southeast Asian American and have tanned skin myself, and I've met Koreans with the same skin tone as mine. 

[MEOWAWA]

I hope and pray that they will be in god's hands

[No1]

There's a gay Korean idol who is about to debut, so I suppose we'll see how he is received soon enough.

[epic123]

They would get attacked every day until they just quit the industry and disappear. Korea likes to make this show of being a progressive and advanced nation but they are not. Just reading the things that they say about women and a woman's role is evidence enough. Watching some of these shows and the types of jokes that are made are telling. The mindset needs an overall and that won't happen for a while. As long as the older generation still holds so much power nothing will change. The younger generation may want to change but no one is willing to stand up and be different. A lot of people in Korea don't want to go against the status quo even if they think it's wrong, they would rather be passive for fear of being left out.

[SeeYaWithYou]

it depends

 

if its someone who everyone already knows is gay like Jokwon or Key, literally no one would care

But if it was someone the public wasn't expecting like Joo Won or something, then his career would def change as a result

[Luvs]

I don't think they will be good about it

[MasterOfCider]

Isn't there a gay idol about to debut? I haven't heard much backlash, but we'll see.