Which male idols do you think are gay?

[Bushi]

The US wildin' has officially begun. 

 

Over to you, Chim Chim. <3

[Bushi]

Just guys being dudes. Sometimes you just gotta play with your bro's butt in a heterosexual way.

 

 

Have another angle:

 

Click here to view the Tweet

 

And some of Taehyung's bum because it's nice:

 

Click here to view the Tweet

 

Honestly though, it's ironic but it's stuff like this that firms my opinion that Vkook is not a romantic secret couple as per shipping lore, lol. They have absolutely none of the couply sensuousness of Wowkwan, for example. But I do think such footage might speak more about an individual's comfort level and/or sexuality. But that's just me, what do others think? 

 

PS: Yes, I think Jungkook is more into Jimin these days. Get some chemistry vibes off of those two. 

Edited September 7, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Well I try and stay as open minded as I can and have never felt like K-pop members are incapable of having feelings for each other or growing into relationships over time. I don't say it happens that regularly (idk?) but I personally feel like I wouldn't be treating them like adult human beings if I didn't acknowledge that possibility or I shut down that option for them. 

 

Re: Jimin and Jungkook I'm not necessarily saying I think they are 'a thing'. But they have more interesting chemistry as compared to Taehyung and Jungkook imo, who get a lot of attention for antics that just seem like naughty brothers acting up because they can. Vkook have no subtlety at all, lol.  

Edited September 8, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

No, post more, I love your posts! 

[Bushi]

Honestly stray kids are a bit hard to read bc they act pretty young (ik they are young but even the older members act younger than people from other groups that are the same age which is totally fine, there’s nothing wrong with that) and they all seem pretty clingy so it’s hard to determine what’s skinship between close friends and what could be a hint towards something else.

 

Atm the only members who have made me think "hmmm maybe they like boys" are minho, hyunjin, Felix (Felix is the only one I’m really confident about tbh. He seems to have gotten used to the whole skinship thing really quick and seems to really enjoy it despite Australia being totally different. Considering I’m Australian, I feel like most straight boys from australia would have a hard time at first with the whole skinship thing bc we just don’t do stuff like that here. I feel like he’d be the type to hide behind Korea’s culture of skinship. Plus there’s his whole thing with changbin and everything he says about him) and jisung, and to a lesser extent changbin (I honestly thought he and Felix had a thing when i first watched the show and got into stray kids but then I started to think it might’ve been an unrequited crush on Felix’s behalf. However, I don’t erase the possibility of changbin not being straight considering how much he seems to love attention from his other members and how many times he’s had questionable interactions, especially with Felix and hyunjin. I think he might be questioning things and be a bit curious right now tbh)

 

I agree with a lot of this esp. that they are young and hard to read but I think they also have a mature outlook on social issues and have demonstrated a good deal of intelligence when it comes to what they want to say and how to frame it. 

 

I love Felix, he's such a sweet guy. You want to wrap him in cotton wool and cuddle him but then he opens his mouth and out comes this booming deep voice which pretty much reminds you that he's a man not a cherub. He's very beautiful and quite masculine too, a good mix I think. And honestly I see him as pretty chilled out and unflustered with skinship. There's the Changbin 'bromance' (is that still ongoing or has it calmed down?) which he looked more than happy with. And he doesn't seem like a person who has hangups about sexuality. He was one of the small group pictured that stopped by and had a look around the Pride Parade in the US when they were visiting. 

 

Bang Chan is an interesting one for me. Probably straight but as many of these groups seem to make no public effort to date anyone outside their groups (or even expressly/fully openly within their groups) we're just left guessing based on mostly band interactions, hints and body language/looks. Sometimes that's enough to form an opinion on someone, but other times it might not be. So as you say it can be hard to really formulate a full picture, esp. if they are young.

Edited September 9, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Yep, great news. 

[Bushi]

I sorta feel a bit hmmm about posting this as it's all water under the bridge now and could be total BS anyway but it does legit publicly appear in Koreaboo as an article so...

 

Just regarding a recent topic of conversation here. 

 

https://www.koreaboo.com/stories/male-kpop-group-broke-due-gay-inter-member-relationship/

 

Does anyone remember this or have views on it? 

 

Edit:

 

couple of other things I found whilst browsing 

 

A delightful section of Christians just out there making friends again. 

 

https://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/22940560.html

 

"When the LGBT individuals tried to start their parade, the protesters blocked their way by lying down on the ground. Many of them swore at the pride participants. Some demanded they “leave Incheon for good†and “stop wasting tax money on AIDS treatment,†among others. They also held signs that read, "We protest homosexuality because we love (humanity)."

 

As charming as ever, I see.   

 

So here's someone's Tumblr blog about LGBT in K-Pop. It's someone's opinion only, not fact, but it's pretty comprehensive and covers lots of groups so for the folks asking for thoughts about IMFACT (idk if they are featured specifically) etc there's lots in there to mull over. Whoever has created it has put a lot of effort into it and seems pretty balanced to me. I've linked to the clothing page because that looked pretty interesting and has plenty of pictures. I dunno if it's still an active website but there ya go. 

 

http://lgbt-kidols.tumblr.com/post/175237302054/k-idols-wearing-lgbt-clothesitems

Edited September 12, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Uhm, because Ansel constantly shares things about Taehyung, follows Taehyung and Taekook fan sites. Lastly he's shared this pic. This issue has been shared here before, no one has ever had a negative reaction. Why now? o.O

 

Given that it's ended up on this thread, I have to assume the inference is obvious. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I'll treat it as if it is, so I can play ball with ya 

 

Now, we have known friends, Kim Taehyung sending Ansel Elgort a message in his dressing gown. From what we're told/see, Ansel has a longterm girlfriend and Taehyung has a big social circle. Also when celebs put their personal comms online for the world to view (rather than keeping stuff between themselves) it can seem more like touting for clout. Not necessarily so, but it can do at times. 

 

I've no reason to be super cynical about Taehyung and Ansel as anything but genuine friends who are happy to share their fun moments with fans. If I was an idol in a relationship with a US actor, I'd be very wary of advertising it online, not least due to potentially unwanted attention/trolling on social media alone (that goes for het couples on the dl as well). In a regular sweet friendship I'd have no issue with a few cute highjinks. I think that's what's happening here. 

Edited September 14, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

I knew Jimin would come through for me once he hit US soil. 

[Bushi]

Bit O/T but thought people might be interested to read this. It's about modern shifts in LGBT attitudes in Japan and as many K-pop bands spend a good deal of time promoting and touring in this major market, it's always interesting to keep an eye on what happens there (also whether the ripples will spread). 

 

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/2163919/gay-shift-la-india-slowly-surely-japan-coming-out

 

"Same-sex love spread to Japan’s legendary samurai warriors and the world of “kabuki†theatre, while relationships between men – often physical – had even become the subject of works of fiction and salacious “ukiyo-e†woodblock prints in the 1800s."

 

That explains why, when someone posted a video of Jimin flirting with some American interviewers, it got so many comments telling them to take it down because it's "harmful to his career." Like the 9580428975 ship videos are fine, but one 3-minute video of Jimin waggling his eyebrows at an American interview is going to end him...because they couldn't explain it away with ships or fanservice.

 

 

The shippers, fanservice folks and antis can waffle until they're blue in the face but number 1. that man was (and still will be) f-i-n-e and number 2. Jimin displayed an above-average interest in him. 

 

Now they can write it off as 'cultural' and 'just curious' but heaven help us if that interviewer had been a female, the entire ARMY would have collapsed under the weight of new AU and memes to heterosexuality and how proud they'd be of their 'smol straight son'. And you know what, not a single LGBT+ person would have petitioned to have hettie videos or memes taken down or banned from YouTube (or gone whinging to Bighit).   

Edited September 17, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Out of the whole industry, honestly Suga. I know a lot of people are sure of him on this thread, but it would be great to see him say it himself and just prove all of those toxic fangirls wrong. The ones that say like "Don't call him gay/bi, he never said he wasn't straight so stop assuming his sexuality" and ridiculous backward statements like that. He does have a lot of receipts and I just love how he doesn't give a shit but I would love to hear it in his own words.

 

 

When 'Seesaw' came out there was an initial small flap about the possible use of male pronouns in it. Someone was going around saying that translators had gender neutralised it from a 'he', others were saying there are "no male pronouns in Korean!" (I find this unbelievable, apparently they're not used much in spoken daily but can appear in writing and verse). So as usual whatever the truth is it's already muddied. 

 

Its a beautiful song and is said by some to contain the original phrase 'bad assholes' which we were told then got amended to 'bad guys' by translators. If he intended it as 'bad guys' you could take 'guys' literally as being two males - or as fitting for male and female as it is used for both genders these days. But if the original is more accurate then I personally think it's pretty harsh to refer to a girl as an 'asshole', especially when you could just say 'we both did bad'. You're in a boyband presenting to a mostly female fanbase where your image as 'dating material' relies on your opinion/treatment of the opposite sex. Again, a lot depends on translation and the amount of changes and interpretations by fans so I'm honestly no wiser. But the point did raise its head early on when the song was released. 

 

Suga's also pretty blunt but I like the idea that he might be having a rant at an ex-boyfriend, lol. Equally it could be about a female, or just a general song from a neutral standpoint. I just thought it was interesting what some people were saying. There's also literally no feedback about what's being sung in the live version either. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Just going back to the whose sexuality would you want to know subject there's many, many people I'd love to know from their own mouths. 

 

But sticking to the rule of 'one' I think I'd have to pick RM/Namjoon. He is so, so often called a 'straight ally' and indeed, there's every chance he is. But he also has many receipts. Someone once put a compilation of BTS receipts on here and RM's list was hilarious because it dwarfed some of the more popular maybe-gaybe choices. There was some really interesting stuff on there about him. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Oh I haven't seen that could you link to it or something?

 

It's post number #65771 under the spoiler (Edit: sorry forgot to add the page link, here it is: https://onehallyu.com/topic/64-which-male-idols-do-you-think-are-gay/page-3289. It's also been updated as of June 30th this year, so there's a good deal more info added onto there for each member, including some videos. What a goldmine it is, bless burntgucci for keeping up to it and adding some new sauce. Enjoy.

 

On here is one of the reasons I love Taehyung so much: 

 

• To add on from this point, he turned to look at BP’s Rose at an awards show then turned to Jimin and said “her dress is Gucciâ€

Edited September 18, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Ongoing social issue in South Korea and really sad. Just another reminder of why it's so hard to come out easily in a country with no rights for LGBT+ (except being allowed to breathe) and for those (including idols and entertainers) with prejudiced and super religious families that think this sort of thing is the answer. 

 

It's sobering but not surprising (and still goes on in some places in the west despite better rights nowadays). 

 

I'm not trying to say this is lurking round every corner, but it's obviously still a factor and a harsh reality of life for many. That's why I really support anyone who wants to be out or drops obvious hints, and sticks it to these bullies. Change will only happen by strength of numbers and people speaking up against such evil practices, esp. parents. 

 

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-conversion-therapy-south-korea/#gs.BB=Gvtc

Shocking exposé reveals underground LGBTI conversion therapy in South Korea. One gay cure therapist told a gay man: 'Homosexuality goes around the countries where Lady Gaga visited' 

 

 

 

I hope he knows David and Jonathan from the Bible were gay for each other before Lady Gaga was born. 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

So this is a bit random and not exactly about idols, but does anyone remember this episode of Hello Counselor? I'm pretty sure it was posted here before. Basically, this boy (named Gangyong) was brought on the show by his family because he liked wearing makeup and dancing and such. 

 

 

(Starts around 51:50)

 

Anyway, I randomly came across this video of a street dance team called Red Crew, and Gangyong was a member!

 

 

 

It makes me so happy that he stayed true to himself and seems even more confident now. 

 

 

Yes, honestly, the best stories really are these, where people follow their dreams and do not allow themselves to be bullied or changed by society's stupid prejudices.

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmYtnAGhXtT/?taken-by=red_99_0819

 

He's really good. He attracts quite a bit of male interest in this clip. 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

i dont think any of them are gay tbh. Jihoon's aegyo persona might give that kind of vibe, but on backstage videos etc you can see that he actually hates it lol

 

I don't want to make a big deal out of this and I respect your view but just thought it worth mentioning that not every idol is going to be a fan of aegyo and fanservice even though they may well be a full-time, card carrying gay.

 

I'm a reasonably tactile person myself in casual settings among my friends but I know my boundaries and I respect others boundaries. I don't mind aegyo in small doses but honestly I don't think I could put up with it constantly. It's just plain annoying after a while tbh, lol. 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

^To be honest, I don't think it's that weird? Jimin's said many times that he hates being alone and "wants to be with the members all the time," and Hoseok is really social too, so it makes sense that he'd be okay with sharing. I do think it's kind of funny that Jungkook still sleeps with the members even though he has his own room, but maknae culture I guess. 

 

Yes. I don't think they see their arrangement as anything other than normal within its context. Else the cameras wouldn't be allowed inside. So it's clearly no big deal. If this is filmed at the Hills where they're supposed to live, and it's said to be the height of luxury, it still looks (no disrespect) pretty basic and boxy by many comparable western (esp. US) standards. I've noticed all their bedrooms that we've been shown are only respectable for size. So I don't think the proximity of the beds within the space of the room means much.  

 

I have to balance this cute, friendly "what we see" arrangement with the fact that J-Hope (and I doubt he's alone) has at least one other swanky private property on the Han River where he could go without anyone knowing. 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Longtime lurker, first time poster, what up

 

A really long BTS analysis under spoiler. Is that how you do this? I really went off.

 

 

I feel like when people speculate about some idol groups sexualities as a whole, they should add an estimation of how long they've been in the fandom. Because BTS are complicated, and there's so much footage out there, and my opinions of them, both in regards to their sexualities and just their personalities, have changed a million times in the months since I started stanning.

 

Originally, I thought they were all straight lol, except Suga only because of what he said otherwise I would have thought he was straight too. Then I was getting major bi-curious pings from Hoseok and was thinking he was mostly straight but with a sort of partially unaware sexual "HMMM" towards guys. I literally didn't go further than that in my looking because I didn't want to trust that these gorgeous men adored by girls worldwide, completely in a position to be passively misogynistic homophobic self-absorbed meatheads, could be anything that didn't let me down BUT it was that interview where Namjoon says 'when we don't have boyfriend, girlfriend... we say we're so lonely, I want a date' that changed everything. If Yoongi was the only lgbt member, I'm sure Joonie would throw in a 'boyfriend' for him just to be an inclusive king, but the fact that he said boyfriend BEFORE girlfriend is too extreme of a move for just one member's bisexuality. So I thought that there must be at least one fully gay member and/or multiple lgbt members and that they speak of it frequently and openly. I guess no-one here is really arguing against that lmao so I'll move on.

 

I then became convinced that Tae was The Gay One for a bit because of stigma, a weird clip from a fansign where he plays suggestively with a microphone for a fair amount of time, and because it just made sense to me with his personality. But I shared these beliefs with some random tumblr person and they, even though they ran a bts-are-gay blog, said that they absolutely thought he liked girls so they saw him as bi. Because I was so convinced he was gay, having a gay senpai adamantly correct me on him being bi threw a brick at my gaydar confidence.

 

But I'm back, motherfuckers, without conclusions ofc but WITH an intense ten months behind me of obsessively hunting the earth for anything and everything to help figure out our boys, a life experience that you can only obtain through truly having no life like me. I used to continuously doubt our existence in places and tell myself in the voice of a straight person that it was a stretch to see so many members with lgbt potential but now... The Kpop industry seems to draw a lot of sus guys into it. I don't think the sheer amount of sus idols and fans speculating online to this degree is isolated from the nature of kpop? A profession of performing and artistically expressing emotions and sexuality with makeup (without being emasculated for it) and hot-ass looks and being worshipped and being surrounded by people of the same gender with godlike beauty dancing sexy dances... If every idol in Korea came together and decided that all the lgbt ones would come out collectively in a spartacus type revolution (which would be fucking awesome but keep dreaming, me), I wouldn't be surprised if 80% of them fell somewhere on the spectrum.

 

So anyway. Here is where I stand now.

 

Tae - bi, maybe gay. The man's a mystery in many ways. This thread has sparked up my belief that he likes men again, although exclusively or not I cannot ascertain. I do think of moments where he makes statements that seem kind of outside of the gay experience like 'I think he really likes men' about Jimin but that could fully of been a guy in denial about his own business and is not proof of hetero ignorance at all, plus it was years ago. On February 26th this year, he posted a gif of him curling intimately into the face of some girl (from one of their mvs or films) with the caption 'I really love this gif' and he's not dumb enough to be unaware that posting something like that would have the effect of communicating interest in women. That was before singularity dropped so maybe he's done some more soul-searching in that time but I feel like making a post like that would be a major backtrack if you were fully gay and had been reflecting on your sexuality for a couple of years in a group with other lgbt members who have your back no matter what, which leads me to believe he's likely bi. I think he's probably the member to most struggle with his sexuality. If we're reading into stigma and singularity right, then yah that's a struggle alright. I don't know if him growing up in the country, the son of a farmer, plays an aspect? People in the country are generally less progressive but I don't know, just shooting that out there, I may be talking out of my ass. I disagree with whoever it was here who said Tae was upfront and uncomplicated. Yes, he does seem to maintain the same personality in all scenarios, but I think it's just that he's authenticity-oriented (different from accuracy-oriented) while he's actually very guarded and private and sensitive about matters closer to his heart. Hence why no-one can really get a good read on him

 

Jin - straight? Bi at most. I'm surprised so many people see Jin as gay, I have never doubted his interest in women. I think of that video where they prank Jin by putting a random woman in his hotel bed and, while they're waiting for Jin to come back to the room, Namjoon's like 'I think Jin will like it' and does an impression of Jin happily getting into bed with the woman. He does this, not TO the camera where it's emphasised and potentially a lie, but to the members quietly to the side. These threads always make me question everything so there are things you could pull out that might hint at bisexuality but I thought he was straight before coming here. I think, regardless of his own, he's entirely indifferent towards people's sexualities and that comes across as sus to some people.

 

Jimin - gay. Yah, this man. I thought he was just a straight pretty man, an international playboy, a flirty hetero stud, at the beginning but now I just can't see him with a woman. It's the maknae line that gets the most insistence that they're straight or bi not GAY because they're the most thirsted after and everyone wants a slice. All I can say is... after months of studying him, I'm surprised he even gets so much attention from straight girls because he is pretty obviously... gay. Like...

 

Yoongi - bi. Is anyone in disagreement with this

 

Namjoon - straight? Bi at most. I WOULD say he's straight and just trying really hard to be a good ally for the sake of his beloved lgbt members, except for this one thing where he talks about how sexy he thinks Jimin is. He goes into detail about it, like mentioning his petite figure contrasting with his muscle and how flexible he is and how he can't stop feeling that he's really sexy in the dance studio. I think if he's not straight I'd really only peg him as bi-curious in a sexual way. I'm gay but sometimes I get a little sexually bi-curious towards girls if they do something particular. I still identify as gay though, not bisexual - even though I did for a while - because my attraction to guys is so so so much more and I know I could only ever be in a relationship with a guy and mild purely-sexual attraction to girls, even if sincere, always feels like work and I never feel desire to act upon it and DO anything with them (beyond maybe jerking tf off alone in my bedroom one time to whatever she did that got me juicing). So even though occasionally I can sexually appreciate a female from a distance, I'm still gay but just chillin on the spectrum as opposed to being absolutely 100% in an easy-to-label box. I feel like Namjoon could be similar this but the straight(ish) version.

 

Jungkook - gay/bi. I am a newly converted follower of this religion. I seriously thought he was straight for the longest time. But no. Like Tae, a bit of a mystery here. The things that would always point to Jungkook's heterosexuality just get more and more discredited in my mind. 1) his love of IU. Yeah. Well. Of course he would say she's his ideal type, that's an easy answer for a gay to give. I used to like alyson stoner and I literally told my friends I'd go straight for her (but I wouldn't. Because I'm gay.) 2) he thinks sailor moon is sexy. Pretty much ditto the last point. Gays frequently have their go-to members of the opposite sex to feign interest in, even if they aren't yet aware themselves that their interest isn't of the hetero sort. 3) his shyness around the black girls. Someone posted here a while back questioning what straight (and notoriously shy) guy who's actually attracted to them would play it up so comically and energetically and like, yeah. 4) he doesn't like flat-chested girls (whereas Tae does). Back in the Tae's Gay Days, I took this as some kinda proof for Tae based on my friend who realised he was gay after thinking he was attracted to this androgynous flat-chested girl. But Jk's answer doesn't mean shit. Have you noticed how many guys who say they specifically like girls who can cook and clean later come out as gay? I have. Closeted dudes will parrot what they think straight guys are into (throwing feminism under the bus at times lmao that's heteronormative society for you). Anyway stated boob-size interest I can no longer see as evidence of someone's sexuality so fuck that shit. 5) last year when they were in America, they did an interview, I think it was on the red carpet, where the interviewer asked who would be the first to get married and they all immediately pointed to Jk who did his shy scrunchy smile. Idk. This could be anything. That is such an old-school teen magazine type question in the first place that they could have had that answer prepared by bighit for years. Not to mention those celebrity crush questions in interviews that he either responds to by diverting "not knowing her name" or hesitates, not being able to think of a name, and when Nicole Kidman is suggested to him by Namjoon, straight up answers with Iron Man.

 

Jungkook is weird. Seeing him as gay makes sense to me, things start clicking. That fancam of him eyefucking the camera while performing I need u is tbh... too ferocious to be performative. Since when was he THAT good of an actor? The little look down he does at the cameraman at the beginning... The way he immediately locks eyes with the camera again after turning around... He said before that if he liked someone he'd express it by performing a number for "her" in private As with many awkward introverted entertainers, he does use the stage to communicate in ways he otherwise wouldn't

 

Hoseok - ok, this is the only one I would bet my life on. Bisexual. I don't even know where to begin. Hobi's my bias so I pay a fierce amount of attention. The first time he pinged me was with that video from years ago where he chases Tae and Jimin around, eventually 'capturing' a kneeling Jimin and making him go get Tae. The way he is when Jimin gets up from his knees is just... I'm learning through writing this post that I'm not very good at explaining why I get pinged beyond ~just a vibe~ but can people really not sense a sort of sexual tension behind the gate here? There's so many moments like this with Hobi where he sort of experiments? With the members? And there's this weight to it? I have a little too much personal experience in this area. Since I was a teenager, my friends and I would get a little experimental too, not in an overt undeniably sexual way, but in a way where it was kind of ambiguous and grey-zone. We never felt awkward with each other after but that was because we never did anything we couldn't deny was sexual - just kind of unacknowledgingly (I'm making it a word) dancing around curiosity. Once my female friend, who was tackling me on the floor, went as far as to hump my leg in a way that was clearly her trying to get off, which crossed the secret boundary so I pushed her off and insisted on going home. She was immediately apologising over and over again and saying it was disgusting of her, and I was laughing it off and telling her it was alright while legging for the door, and we never spoke of it again... Once two male friends and I filmed a fake sex tape where we'd get under the covers and pretend to get it on, shrieking in faux ecstasy, complete with stealing and wearing lingerie from one of the friends' mothers, and to this day I have no idea how we even started doing that or why we thought we were or how we never gave it a single afterthought, but there was an unspoken sexual element to it because we all understood it to be a secret 'joke'. I have too many of these stories.

 

Um... I'm not sure how related this is to Hoseok but I'm just giving examples of the way Very Curious LGBT People Who Don't Want to Seem Like Pervertsâ„¢ dance around sexual tension. Maybe I'm trying to validate my voice on the matter of Hobi's sexuality. I just know that I really really relate, as both a recipient and instigator, to that strange tense vibe that comes up on his end towards members. He is not a particularly guarded person, I don't think. He is a simple guy. If he feels something, he explores it or is clearly drawn to it.

 

The bi pride flag in the daydream mv... Hmmm I discarded this at first but looking at it again... That's not just using pretty colours, that's a straight up rectangle with the colours in proportion and in order while a boy (I know it's supposed to be sleeping Hobi but things can have layers) sleeps in his bed and he sings "if I want something... If I want something now..." in a song about how he wishes for things his career won't allow him to have. I have gone from seeing him as straight, to bi-curious, to bisexual. I feel like one reason he shares a close bond and, unnessecarily, still a room with Jimin is because they're both the most chaotic, self-assured, playfully lgbt members. I entertained gay for a hot second but I think everyone who sees him as gay are doing so out of stereotypes. Hobi's personality is soft and loving and energetic and entertainer-y, but he also has this... I hesitate to call it masculinity because gender roles amirite but I don't know what other name to give it. For the sake of my dumbass vocabulary, he also has this masculinity that is underlying, not on the surface, that I think is his... not-fully-gay-ness that I'm picking up on, and that I could see straight people missing completely when they analyse him as gay. I think he likes girls, I think he likes guys. I know I'm going off but he's my bias and I really don't understand how anyone could think he is either gay or straight, unless they're relatively new to the scene.

 

 

 

 

Wow, what a great post. You really put a lot into it and it was interesting to read.

 

Just a few points I'll pick up on: re Tae and the gif, I personally wouldn't read too much into it for a sexuality preference (same for if it had been with a guy) - it's performance art and he's shown many times he appreciates beauty and emotion in all manner of forms, gay, straight, non-carbon based, you get the drift. 

 

Also, isn't that Instagram a fansite? Is it really his? It's not verified or anything so, not sure about it...?? 

 

I'm also not convinced Jk would have made a comment about boob size -presumably in front of female fans at a fan signing/when asked? I mean, maybe he has (he can be rude, lol), but it seems quite lewd and impolite to say that to girls and the fansignings, for example, seem polite and good natured. I think fans like to say a lot of things after the fact, but quite often where there's no source it's because there's literally no sauce. Of course, if I'm wrong I'm happy to choke on my cornflakes. 

 

My general feelings about BTS are that there are gay/bi members. How many I'm not sure. How much is fanservice and real is anyone's guess. How much of the same-sex antics are perhaps (my theory is...) over egged to show solidarity with a gay/bi member/s to make them feel less isolated/alone... These boys are very much one in, all in in mentality, and would support one another until the end. So I don't think that's out of the question either. On the other hand, if every last one of them wasn't straight you could colour me one of the least surprised persons on the planet.  

 

The poster burntgucci did a huge BTS analysis with some info on each member you might find useful if you are new and haven't seen it. There's actually a great deal on Jin and Namjoon. But all of them have a lot of receipts and there's additional little things not on the list that people have noticed over the years. If you go back over a few days one of my posts has the link to burntgucci's BTS list.

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

 

 

I'm gonna go on a slightly philosophical rant here lol. There'd be outrage for sure, from both religious nutjobs, homophobes, and "fans" whose dreams would be crushed that their chances of marrying oppa are nonexistent. But like I said before, BTS is pretty much the only idol group who could survive the maelstrom of having a member come out as LGBT, precisely because of their increasingly dominant international popularity. They'd still have revenue sources to rely on, and support from much of the western world that identifies as gay friendly, as opposed to smaller groups dependent on Asia as their primary source of support. It'd probably be a death sentence for any of those folks.

 

I've long believed that BTS (based on their numerous and increasingly supportive comments on the LGBT community) are going to be on the forefront of the inevitable fight for gay rights in Korea. But God knows they would have a hell of a lot more clout in jumpstarting such a revolution if one of them openly identified as gay or bi. I know many are pessimistic about the progress of gay rights in Korea and throughout Asia, especially considering how India only just recently decriminalized gay sex as an offence. But I'll always point everyone to how staggeringly fast America progressed on gay rights. Just fifteen years ago, gay sex was technically illegal in thirteen states. Fourteen years ago, George Bush president used anti-gay sentiment as a rallying cry to help him win reelection. My home state voted to ban gay marriage in 2008. But then fast forward to 2015, and gay marriage became legal across the land.

 

The more BTS speaks positively about the Korean LGBT community, the likelier other celebs will be vocal about their support. Holland and MRSHLL's mere presence on the scene shows that at least two gay Korean men believe that there is an audience for all of their content. Let's hope that things happen sooner rather than later though, at least for the shunned and disillusioned and frightened LGBT folks still struggling on all parts of the globe. Taiwan and Australia and India's recent ruling is just proof of the dying breed of homophobic bigots, and how youth are eventually paving the way for change. I am both excited and terrified when the day comes that the first real Korean idol of magnitude comes out of the closet, and shakes the foundations of that industry to its core. They will face unimaginable hatred, but I can't help but feel that it would open up the floodgates to so much promise. This is no longer a world where Hong Seok-cheon would be standing alone. I have a feeling and hope that person would have the support of millions to fight back the hate. Anyways, it's a hell of a thing to ponder.

 

 

 

100%.

 

I suspect if you breakdown the figures international fans are easily carrying the top K-pop artists over the home-grown audience but that doesn't mean the home-grown audience would be shunned or dismissed. Or that they are meaningless or deserve contempt. There are many, many amazing Korean k-poppers who wouldn't hurt a fly and who would support no matter what. They're super helpful, they translate for others, they buy the merch and tickets, they're there all the time, supporting. These people obviously deserve love and respect as much as anyone else. They are the backbone of k-pop. 

 

But as we've seen recently, capitulation to home-grown concerns/demands (you decide) has forced at least one powerful musical collaboration (which would have suited another equally powerful and influential fandom/market) to be completely shelved. There are also LGBT+ in the k-pop fandom community themselves but how large by numbers they are nobody knows. Are there a lot of closets waiting to crack both in the groups and fandoms? People that would come out of others did and they felt safe? I think it's inevitable.

 

As to the Korean backlash, there would be that I'm sure, but many of the youth seem quite chill and open, the fangirls who would be in despair would either come around or leave/move on, and then who are we left with... older society? Are 50+ town and rural Koreans the ones buying k-pop music anyway in droves? Isn't pop music largely driven by younger sales globally, the teen to around 35 years old bracket? 

 

Say someone in BTS came out. Would there be a hullabaloo? Of course. I suspect much international joy and some in their home (wigs would be flying with happiness for Korean LGBT+ for years ) layered with loads of press and drama that would either die down and/or open more talking points. But suppose the worst happened and Korean completely turned upon one or more of them... 

 

....How honestly could anyone touch them though? They're $$minted$$ for starters. Take away the gay issue, and make them all 100% straight. Someone like RM could, right now, take off to the US or Europe if he wanted with his money, get his own place and work with international artists for the rest of his days. Aside from the honour factor (which would be his choice to return for mandatory service (dodging it by becoming a citizen of another country), but I know that opens up a whole other can of worms) who could seriously touch him if he wanted to do that? But then you have to consider how proud and bound to their Korean roots they are, how willing to conform for the sake of tradition, honour and deference to their culture (if they want to exist within it and stay there for their lives). How important is the draw of being near family, friends, the stuff going on in their own society they may very much want to be near? There are a whole lot of complex Korean things to consider, not least personal reputation and goodwill standing within the home land. This is only my view, feel free to tear it down, but I think this is where some of the conflict may lie for LGBT+ there. 

 

So, given all that, I like the idea that if a group of idols and entertainers came out together en masse, it might be the best way forward in a transitioning society like South Korea. If several people in big groups as well as smaller ones did it together it would send a powerful message and also people would know they are supported within the k-pop community. 

 

I do think there's a shocking link between mental health and depression and LGBT+ in Korea. If people were just allowed to breathe more openly, and if they'd ban these horrendous conversion therapies it'd be a good start.

 

Edited September 22, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

 

 

Hmm i find this very interesting... rlly what would they do if one member is outed? (I have a feeling if they come out it won’t be willingly, cause they can’t risk their success now that they’re nearing huge places like the UN and the Grammys.)

I’m not good at expressing myself or explaining my thoughts but I’ll try my best here.

 

I think most people tend to forget that “international fans†does not equal “western fans.†You would be shocked to see BTS’ extreme popularity in places like the Middle East for example, countries which are extremely homophobic. That’s just an example, I believe a huge percentage of the army fandom is in fact homophobic, for various reasons. It could be because of their upbringing in places like the Middle East, Asia. Africa and even some European countries. It could be because of their religious belief, for example Cristians in America and other open minded countries could still be homophobic, despite the legalizations and the open mindedness. It could also be fangirls, many fangirls that do not enjoy the fact that their bias doesn’t have the possibility of liking them. These fangirls usually spend big bucks on bts, but they’ll definitely leave the fandom.

 

Also I’ve seen that most people base their opinions on what would happen in certain situation, on stan twitter. (I’m not saying that’s what you’re doing, I’ve seen this often.) they think all people are open minded just like these girls on stan twitter. “Oh it would’nt be that big of a deal, our fandom loves when the guys interact, it’ll die down fast.†Things along these lines. We have to remember that kmedia will take advantage of a gay “scandalâ€, literally mentions it until everyone knows about it and possibly put it on the main pages. Because they’ve always tried to screw w bts’ Success.

 

Okay so also, one thing we have to remember that bighits stocks will also drop in case of a scandal like this one, what would bighit do in this situation? I’m not sure to be honest. BTS seem like a family that’ll refuse to let go of their member, but I think bighit will try to kick them out to not risk the rest of the groups career. If that happens, that member will maybe still have his huge following but will most likely disappear from the media’s eyes. Hopefully that never happens, but if it does, then it would be buried down fast and our hopes of a gay revulotion would end fast.

 

There’s many other things to take into consideration though, But I think BTS could go through this without having to kick out a member. Because even if you take out the homophobic bunch, sure the fandom would lessen by a huge percentage and they won’t have the same achievements they have now, but they’ll still have a bigger following than many other groups.

 

If they choose to not let go of each other and fight for their career together, which I think bts are very capable of. (Maybe it’s just my wishful thinking.) then they’d have a “gay revolutionâ€, and they’ll change society for the better.

 

(Last thing I’d like to add on, please do not think shippers equal the amount of allies, if that makes sense. Many shippers are hypocrites and only like the idea of shipping and not that their idol would come out as gay. It’s really unfortunate, the amount of homophobic shippers I’ve seen.)

 

Did this post even make sense idk

 

 

 

 

You make excellent points and I really enjoyed reading all the thoughts. None of us have a crystal ball to know exactly what would happen if it did happen, and let's face it, it probably never will. I take a positive view as I think a lot of fans are more robust than given credit for, no matter where they are from, or what comes at them. Living in a homophobic country does not make a fan a 'phobe. Living in a LGBT+-friendly doesn't make a fan a supporter and I totally understand that it can be complicated.

 

BTS prime markets I would guess are South Korea, Japan and the US. But then even if a fandom were reduced, would be it so bad? Would you rather have a massive juggernaut of fans everywhere who never let you breathe or a smaller (still huge) fanbase who care enough about you to stick by you (plus even gain new fans)?  

 

When I said 'international fans' I said I suspected there'd be 'much' joy (not 100% joy) because yes, there are certainly homophobic international fans that are both western and non-western. The parts of Europe that BTS tour in are also pro-LGBT by law (UK, Germany, Netherlands, France) and of course Canada would not put up with any phobic bullshit. Brazil allows same-sex marriage, and I def think countries like South Africa and Australia/New Zealand are next on the cards for BTS tours (also LGBT+ friendly countries). So there's the chance to gain new fans in more liberal places also. 

 

It might be my outlook and conditioning but is someone's sexuality, their fundamental orientation, seen as 'a scandal'? Can being a law-abiding, tax paying gay or bi guy who just makes people happy with his music and dancing really be scandalous? I don't understand how being bi or gay is on the same par as snorting drugs in a nightclub or beating your partner up. South Korea needs to have a quiet word with itself, it's 2018. 

 

I also cannot see BTS 'kicking out' a member/s for being who they are. That completely defeats the object of the 'Love Yourself' message and I don't think that would happen at all. Nor do I think Bighit would drop them. They're far too valuable, they're single-handedly bringing in trillions to South Korea's economy and Moon is personally thanking them every other week. 

 

What I find sad is that these men are going around the world genuinely promoting peace and love, they're talking at UNICEF soon, yet within a few years they will all be being trained up with a view to fighting someone else's son to the death. Whilst there are those in society that only focus on sexual orientation as being more of a threat and a cause of devastation, it's ironic that the members of BTS will have no choice but to proudly bayonet sandbags, pretending they're other human beings. And nobody bats an eyelid at that disturbing thought. 

 

I just....don't think we get our priorities right at all sometimes. :(

 

 

 

 

 

By Slightly...

 

Those rumours that Bang Sihyuk is gay... I can't find anything substantial to hint at this besides his unmarried status and just a bunch of randoms on the internet speculating. Maybe there's something there, maybe there isn't. I think he's a very open guy, someone who takes quite an interest in the unusual. Bighit aren't a traditional company. All these weird short metaphorical films starring the members that raise a lot of questions but provide no answers. They built a fictional universe that is really bizarre and mysterious through their music and videos, and get all philosophical and artsy. If you watch videos of Bang talking about the company and BTS, he comes off as quite sensitive and open-minded towards human functionality and making art - in a cool-headed-but-deep-down-a-bit-whimsical sort of way. He's not a dude just there to punch in, make that green, and follow the rules. He likes playing with what they can do through kpop. I think he's good enough at this job to be able to work an outing or a coming out into BTS's creative endeavours in a way that's artistically powerful and elegant. 

 

 

I could not agree more. I don't think anyone would be getting left behind, either via themselves or by Bighit. They really care about each other. I think you're right, if anyone is unconventional enough to weather a storm and forge new connections out of it, it's Bang and BTS.

 

Edited September 23, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Bushi logic: 

 

Heechul wearing a woman's wig = damn he looks fine.

Heechul with his own hair = damn, he looks even finer. 

 

(Apologies, not trying to be flippant. I support all of your points. ) 

Edited September 23, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

She's very adamant about it too, like its her life mission to stomp out any speculation, very offended by the concept of them being lgbt. She won't even entertain bisexual, even though that would still let her have her fantasies about marrying them or whatever. Even fangirls who claim to support lgbt take on this weird offended tone, like "I have nothing against lgbt but skinship in Korea is normal, my and my friends do it all the time but does that mean we are GAY??? How rude, think before you speak". All you can do is hope all these fans are teenagers who will just grow out of being annoying and tiny-minded.

 

 

There's a Ten fangirl like this on YouTube. She goes round getting upset about any Ten Being Gay videos. There's no humour or light about the butthurt fangirl in general. This one uses the guilt trip of everyone 'accusing' him of being gay, 'what you are saying about Ten would make him upset', 'he wouldn't understand why you call him gay'. Like, do me a lemon, sis. Ten has proudly held hands with Taeyong in a mall and was a gentleman too, randomly asked his band members if they like sausage and said that he likes soft and sticky stuff in his mouth, whilst suggestively biting a fork. Does this look like the face of a man who's about to cry after delivering his own innuendo? 

 

 

 

Sure, someday he might get a girlfriend or announce he is straight but until that freezing cold day in hell emerges let him fly free, hetties.     

Edited September 24, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

Nice speech by UN President, Kim Namjoon, today. 

[Bushi]

 Jo Kwon's parting message before leaving for the military was basically, "Hopefully when I come back, the world will be more accepting," so yeah I do think he wants to come out. Fingers crossed his company won't stop him if that's what he wants.

 

Edit: This is very much stage shenanigans, but Tae's expression lmfao

 

 

Absolutely agree about Jo Kwon. His social media was blowing up with rainbows and shenanigans before he left and fans/well wishers left many messages of support. With Jo you barely have to read between the lines; gay culture, say it by not saying it but do everything else. I hope he's okay. That picture of his head being shaved really made my heart hurt. 

 

G-Dragon's an interesting one. Wonder if he'll have a tale or six to tell when he gets out. And he's having such a shit time, with injury and feckwits selling his private info/stats for clout. 

 

Totally unrelated but why does Taehyung in black/beanie hats always look like he's about to cat burgle the Louvre? :D 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Bushi

[Bushi]

"No matter who you are, where you're from, your skin color or gender identity, speak yourself, find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself."

 

-Namjoon,Intellectual KING in front of the UN General Assembly

 

AMEN

 

As an ambassador of K-pop, Namjoon will be well aware there are many in that genre and throughout the world who cannot 'speak themselves' on many issues. Realistically it won't always be possible, because of convention, tradition, family, religion, etc. But if it gives people the courage that they didn't have the day before then it's worked. Of course, they're 'just words', but words start and end lives and wars, so they are important. 

 

In terms of speaking to his own country it's better coming from a Korean than westerners preaching from the sidelines, annoying them with our blundering westiness. And he delivered his speech beautifully, with passion and heart. I might be a little biased but the English language suits him very well. I have a great soft spot for Namjoon, he's a bright and pure soul. 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Bushi