BTS‘s V is being praised for his diversity inclusion.
BTS’s V | BIGHIT MUSIC
On Friday, March 15, V released his new pop single, “FRI(END)S,” which is unique from his Layover EP. Along with its release, a “dark comedy” style music video dropped, starring V as a man hopeless for love in a world full of couples.
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube
Since K-Pop music videos are usually filmed in South Korea, they are not generally very diverse. However, V reportedly filmed “FRI(END)S” in the United Kingdom, so he used a British director, actors, etc. This allowed for more diversity than the average MV.
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube | HYBE LABELS/YouTube
For half of the MV, V is lonely, going through life surrounded by couples kissing everywhere. The video showcased the beautiful diversity of love, including many LGBTQIA+ couples. All ages, genders, ethnicities, etc. were represented.
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube
ARMYs couldn’t help but get emotional while watching. They felt appreciative of their idol for including diverse couples.
not to get emotional but seeing old gay people in love warmed my heart pic.twitter.com/zAtnqgRHyD
— sugawa⁷ (@sugawainscoting) March 15, 2024
thank you taehyung pic.twitter.com/l6aLkTqpUR
— bts gay cafe⁷ ★ (@yoongisvansgay) March 15, 2024
— taehyung pics (@taehyvngpics) March 15, 2024
Additionally, ARMYs noted just how meaningful it was. South Korea is still a conservative country with few rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. So, for V to openly show his allyship is admirable.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in South Korea face prejudice, discrimination, and other barriers to social inclusion not experienced by their heterosexual counterparts. Same-sex intercourse is legal for civilians in South Korea, but in the military, same-sex intercourse among soldiers is a crime, and all able-bodied men must complete about two years of military service under the conscript system. South Korean national law does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, nor does it protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex couples cannot jointly adopt, and a 2021 Human Rights Watch investigation found that LGBT students face “bullying and harassment, a lack of confidential mental health support, exclusion from school curricula, and gender identity discrimination” in South Korean schools.
— Wikipedia
One , Taehyung looks breathtakingly gorgeous
Two , the way Tae always shows support to the lgbt community is so heartwarming pic.twitter.com/AFTD1Bkcgd
— lila ᴳᵒˡᵈᵉⁿ𝄞ᴸᵃʸᵒꪜᵉʳ (@lilatkforever) March 9, 2024
He really said pic.twitter.com/mLY6ygdUco
— lissa (@tekookmoments) March 15, 2024
seeing older queer couples in fri(end)s is such an indescribable feeling
— ivy ⁷ | fics in (@vampyknj) March 15, 2024
I don’t think ppl realise how radical it is for Tae to include queer couples in the MV in terms of dominant Korean attitudes, like it was subtly done, but they were there love you Taebear
— salka⁷ (@twt_Salka) March 15, 2024
Time and time again, the BTS members have proved themselves to be true LGBTQIA+ allies. Previously, Jungkook also included a lesbian couple in his music video.
Watch V’s full “FRI(END)S” MV below.
