The 23-year-old opened up about his sexuality during a concert in Los Angeles.
This is a rare move in a high-pressure Korean music industry, where artists are very guarded about their private lives.
Bain, while performing a solo, said: “I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community — as a gay person.”
Videos shared on social media showed the crowd responding with loud cheers.
“To anyone out there who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community, or still figuring it out — this is for you. You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way,” he added.
According to the Korean media outlet News1, Bain is the first male K-pop star to come out publicly.
After Tuesday’s performance, Bain’s bandmate Siwoo left a message of support on a fan platform, saying “I was watching from backstage and I cried too. I cried even more because I knew how hard it was for him.”
