Netizens are attempting to raise awareness over the hypocritical treatment of the LGBTQIA+ community within the K-Pop industry following the homophobic attack against solo K-Pop artist HOLLAND.
Recently, HOLLAND revealed that he suffered an attack in Itaewon after being called a slur. He was targeted due to his sexuality.
HOLLAND is one of the few openly gay K-Pop artists and is considered the first.
Of course, this is unfortunately not the first time that HOLLAND was attacked over his sexuality. After realizing his sexual preference, he confided in his close friend in middle school. Yet, the “friend” outed him, resulting in HOLLAND getting bullied so badly that he was assaulted. It went so far that HOLLAND was physically dragged around the schoolyard after schoolmates tied a rope around his neck.
Despite facing so much discrimination, HOLLAND uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. So, his music often reflects such hopeful messages for those in the community.
People look to me to represent the LGBT community in Korea at the moment, they support me and look at me that way so there’s no reason for me to refuse. I will fight for the rights of the LGBT community in Korea. All the actions that I foresee from my music, the message that I send, and what I write, all of that intends to resolve and change the traditionalist views in Korea.
— HOLLAND
