K-Bops in K-Pop

It’s Pride Month! So, in honor of the start of a month of wonderful celebrations (and my one year marriage anniversary!), here are some of my favorite LGBTQ+ friendly Kpop MVs. Let me know what you think of these music videos and tell me about some LGBTQ+ Kpop songs that you love in the comments!

LOONA/Chuu – Heart Attack

This is honestly one of my all-time favorite music videos. It’s sickly sweet in the best way, and I love the idea of this pure, unrequited love from the precious little sunbeam that is Chuu. This was one of the first music videos I ever saw that really made me feel like there was representation for lesbians in Kpop and portraying them didn’t have to be over-sexualized and taboo.

Holland – Neverland

Holland is one of the few out and proud artists in the Kpop industry and, aside from being the cutest Jimin stan, he’s also not shy about making his music videos explicit about his sexual orientation. That’s something that can be tough even for Western artists to accomplish–even the ones who are open about their sexuality. I appreciate that, as a gay man, his love interests in MVs are always guys. And the song itself is catchy as well.

K.Will – Please Don’t…

I’ll admit, I didn’t know about this song and MV until recently, but I’m glad I found it. The music video plays out like a K-drama, and honestly I really wish it was. I would watch the crap out of that drama. Unfortunately, the story only lasts about four minutes, which is just long enough for you to grow attached to the main character and his unrequited love for his best friend (or sister’s fiance? It’s unclear).

SISTAR – One More Day

What an iconic song the queens of summer left us with. This MV is blatantly gay with the two female protagonists being in a relationship in spite of the fact that one of them also has a boyfriend. Things take a turn for the worse and the MV plays out like a thriller, with flashbacks and dramatic buildup included. I’m not the biggest fan of the actual song, but the MV is exciting enough to make up for it.

**BONUS** Taemin – WANT

Listen, I know there is nothing obviously gay about Taemin or his MVs, but Taemin is a gay icon. Just ask Twitter, Tumblr, or even take a quick stroll through his YouTube comments. There’s something bold and free about his music and style that rings familiar for a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ Kpop community. As a member of that community, I can say with certainty that Taemin is an ally and this MV is a perfect representation of that.