The First Openly-Gay K-Pop Singer – Holland

There is a first for everything and this time making the mark is solo artist Holland who has come out to become the first openly gay K-Pop singer with his debut song Neverland.

Holland released his first single Neverland on 22nd January (I know my article is coming six months late but I only found out about him now) as an independent artist. The song spoke of his decision to express openly his sexual preference. In the K-pop universe, the matter of LGBT is rarely heard of but his MV received a reception of over 7,00,000 views within the first 24 hours. His twin singles I’m Not Afraid and I’m So Afraid have also received a warm welcome from the audience.

Holland in an interview mentioned that the lyrics to his songs were written by him based on his life experiences. He also mentioned that he had confided that he was gay to one of his close friends. But his friend revealed it to other students at school which led to the singer getting bullied to the extent that he was dragged around the school playground with a rope around his neck.  
The singer further added that some of the kids who bullied him are now being promoted as actors and singers in Korea. During his school days, he even tried to commit suicide but survived and was supported by another friend. Being a victim of homophobic bullying, Holland still suffers from PTSD and depression.

According to Holland, the message he wants to send out to all the LGBT community through his music is ‘You have nothing to be ashamed of. You have the right to live your life normally as anyone else. You can share your own stories.’ He added that he wanted to give them hope.

Holland had to write and record his songs on his own as no Entertainment Company wanted to promote a gay singer. Following the release, the singer was a recipient of both hate and love but he thanked his fans for expressing their support to his music.

On a personal note, I have heard the songs and they are absolutely beautiful. I hope that Holland will keep on making more music with such beautiful messages and that he receives a lot of support from his colleagues in entertainment industry. Hwaiting!

(To Readers: If any of my readers are anti-LGBT, please silently move over this article. Any defamatory or derogatory comments will be removed. The owner of this blog does not support any discrimination based on gender or sexual preference of any individual)