I would first like to ascertain that everything from this article is purely an opinion and that this is coming from the perspective of a girl who does not come from Korea, nor do I have any close ties with Koreans. My resources are an amalgamation of research, YouTube videos, conversations with foreigners who I know have been to Korea, and empirical evidence from their media and the fans. I think in some way, where I am from (Manila, Philippines) is somewhat similar to Korea's stance on homosexuality, so I will be basing some of my opinions on tiny comparisons.

So from that longwinded disclaimer, I would like to put forth that Kpop isn't ready now, and I don't think it will be in the near future. I think that despite Kpop's wonderful platform for creativity and color and fashion, and how inclined it is towards androgyny, the definite reality of an openly gay Kpop idol isn't in the cards as of yet.

But I can always hope.

In 2012 of January Martina and Simon, a Canadian couple who has taken to vlogging about Korean culture, music, media, and food on YouTube (since they have been living and working in Korea for more than 4 years now, if my memory serves me right), posted a video of their experience with homosexuality in Korea. In the video, the couple described 3 perspectives on the matter. The first are the traditional lot who either refuse to acknowledge their existence or dub homosexuality as a kind of disease brought about by foreigners. The second are people who have very minimal exposure to the lifestyle therefore remain neutral on the matter, or think of homosexuals in a theorize manner. And the third are the youth, who do have LGBTQ friends and such, and are all loving and accepting of the sexual preference.

There are LGBTQ communities that exist in Korea, and according to the video, they are predominantly located in Seoul. Itaewon and Hongdae are only a few of the friendly environment for same sex couples, so if you're ever in Seoul and you want to explore that part of the city, by all means. Apparently straight girls wander into Itaewon gay bars to avoid getting hit on by drunk men so as smart as that is, I apologize to those girls for outing their secret. Let's hope no perverts are reading this article and taking notes.

Moving on, from this video, and from what I know of the Kpop fans, the general demographic of Kpop listeners and followers are youths, and since the youths aren't going anywhere and they're as loud as ever, they're going to be ready for their idol oppas or eonnies coming out. I mean, some of them are already forming assumptions of their own regarding who could be gay, and who can deny the abundance of homosexual fanfiction? No one. No. One.

Considering the many homoerotic-ish sightings here and there (i.e. the Heechul kissing spree with his members) and some homosexual-suggestive circumstances (Jokwon being spotted at a gay bar in Thailand), I think this is already a sign that we're gradually being eased into the possibility of gay Korean idols. We make fun of them all the time for the way they dress and how they're so close that they use each other's arms for pillows (this is adorable beyond recognition, by the way), we take those moments into account and endearingly call them our "heteroflexible lovelies" (or is this just me) so I suppose there is hope for leniency.

In addition to that, Kpop girl group Glam released a MV entitled Party (XXO) that talks about openly accepting LGBTQ, DOMA was just put to shame, and Kim Jho Kwang-soo is a filmmaker about to be wed to his male fiancé on the 15^th of May if I'm not mistaken.

On the flipside, SHINee a Kpop male group was invited to the said wedding and their manager declined the invitation on account of conflicting schedules. I know that making assumptions about the refusal to attend isn't ideal here because there could be legitimate reasons there, but you can't help but wonder. And not to mention that Kpop has existed for years, decades, for for-freaking-ever, yet they cease to have an openly gay idol presented to the public.

I live in a somewhat Westernized country, and I know that South Korea is in a somewhat similar state of Western-ess. And the group of Kpop friends I know are all supportive of the LGBTQ lifestyle so in theory, there will be an audience that will accept idols who would choose to come out.

But then there's the other, other side of the story, where companies bank on the "is he or isn't he" image that apparently sells so well. I understand the appeal of androgyny, how Amber of F(x), Kevin of U-KISS, Key and Taemin of SHINee, Jaejoong of JYJ, and not to mention ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF G.I. play on the gender-bending aesthetic their looks provide, and it's exciting to have to guess if they're definitely gay or not, so there is some novelty in shadowing their sexual preferences in mystery. From what I understand of marketing (and mind you, this is from a recent movie called "Syrup", and I am making use of this comparison because in some aspects, Idols are like products) it's not knowing for certain that's exciting, it's the possibility. Just a theory.

I don't have to wait for gay idols to emerge, and I have no desire to out those who are bound to the straight role, but until someone comes out-- whether in a manner that is as clear as day, or in a Jodie Foster "I am sorta kinda a Les-- be honest, you guys" speech kind of way-- why don't I leave you with this.