While Korea seems to be ahead of trends and K-Pop is taking over the world, the country is still very traditional when it comes to views on gender and sexuality. There are very few openly LGBTQIA+ celebrities, as many who are open about their identity have shared the stigma in Korea.
Hong Seok Cheon came out in the 2000s and received a lot of hate and threats | @tonyhong1004/Instagram Harisu was the first trans idol and received a lot of backlash and threats | MBC MAMAN was kicked out of her company after coming out
One idol who has gained attention for the response to a question about pronouns is K-Pop idol Cherry.
K-Pop idol Cherry | @chaehofe/Instagram
Cherry was on the reality show Boys24 and eventually debuted in the group JWiiver. Although one of the members sadly announced that the group had disbanded, they still had a loyal fanbase, and Cherry was able to showcase talent and charm with the other members.
The members of JWiiver | @JwiiverOfficial/Twitter
Cherry still keeps fans updated, posting stunning pictures on Instagram.
| @chaehofe/Instagram | @chaehofe/Instagram | @chaehofe/Instagram
Recently, Cherry did a live broadcast, a fan was explaining about pronouns and asked which Cherry preferred, to which the reply was, “Oh, it doesn’t matter, just…”
[Video could not be displayed]
Cherry then listed some of the pronouns, “He, she, him, anyway…”
[Video could not be displayed]
Before explaining that the preferred pronoun was just, “Cherry, just call me Cherry.”
[Video could not be displayed]
When the post was shared, netizens shared their support for Cherry!
Love that for them https://t.co/ufCwZlDPdO
— Bailey | BAILEY IS SEEING TWICE ! (@zb1city) February 19, 2024
i was scared when i opened the qrts but im so happy to see everybody being so supportive https://t.co/66dwHHZDFD
— ً (@sohntasy) February 19, 2024
cherry is such a pretty name for such a pretty person https://t.co/4IzGBv3tb3
— (@ratadeuxpatas) February 19, 2024
Oh I’m so excited for Cherry to live her life as the person he is https://t.co/TXLmaSQ3vV
— જmina⁀➴ TAP FEB 26 (@eeveevahn) February 19, 2024
Much love for my Cherry https://t.co/LPwY0BLBE4
— paigepiwon 1st win (@zerosestar) February 19, 2024
super proud 🩷 https://t.co/7a7Hze2j1X
— AIMERS COMEBACK!! (@yoelinoo) February 19, 2024
Considering how traditional Korea is when it comes to gender and sexuality, many fans found Cherry’s response refreshing.
The views on gender and sexuality is still traditional in most of Korea.
