Former JYP Trainee Confesses Being Kicked Out of Company for Being Part of LGBTQ
In various media outlets and SNS, the identity of the former JYP trainee, who was expelled from the company for coming out, once again drew attention from K-pop fans.
Who is he and whatever happened to him?
Former JYP Entertainment Trainee Kicked Out From Company for Same-Sex Dating
Amid the rising support of Koreans to BLs and same-sex dating shows, the conservative society is also slowly opening up to the LGBTQ community.
In fact, few queer K-pop artists are introducing the community to fans through their music and stories.
ALSO READ: 13 K-pop Idols Who Admitted They Are Part of the LGBTQ Community
On September 5 then, news and media outlets featured the story of a former K-pop trainee whose dream to debut was once prevented after being caught dating the same sex.
The main character of the story is Lin Jia Le, hereinafter KilliAN, who debuted as a Hong Kong actor at the young age of 8. When he was 14, JYP Entertainment then offered him to become a trainee under the company, and his training life to become an idol started.
When he entered the agency, he was being prepared to join either 2AM or 2PM, but he unfortunately left JYP even before his official debut.
In a revealing interview, the 32-year-old actor opened up for the first time about the reason he left the company but he shocked fans after saying he was actually "kicked out" and didn't leave of his own accord.
"Because I’m gay. At the time, Koreans were still very conservative about homosexuality. In the end, (JYP) asked me to leave due to it. This happened several years ago, but this is the first time I’ve revealed the true reason for my departure."
KilliAN then unveiled that during his time as a trainee, he dated another male trainee, which angered the company.
Aside from same-sex dating, KilliAN was ultimately removed from the prospective lineup since JYP didn't want to take the risk of debuting an openly gay during the time South Korea still viewed LGBTQ as a taboo.
In addition to this, JYP considered the factor that KilliAN wasn't a Korean.
What Happened to KilliAN After Leaving JYP? Actor Confesses Discrimination Didn't Stop
Having a strong determination to debut as an idol, JYP's makeup artist introduced him to his new agency, but he didn't debut even after training in five different companies.
KilliAN decided to return to Hong Kong and tried to continue being an actor. But his being gay was used against him by unscrupulous people who tried to drag him down.
Regardless of his difficulties, KilliAN remained strong and is slowly establishing his name in the entertainment industry. He still showed his passion for K-pop by posting idol dance covers once in a while.
READ MORE: K-pop Idols Who Came Out as Bisexuals, Admitting They Are Part of LGBTQ+
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