NCT Ten‘s recently released video has sparked a debate centered around his co-star’s gender.
NCT’s Ten | @NCTsmtown/X
Much to fans’ excitement, Ten’s first solo album was announced earlier this year. Previously, the WayV member released individual digital singles, impressing each time with his artistry.
The album, titled TEN, is set for release on February 13, and every detail, including the discovery that Troye Sivan‘s choreographer potentially worked with the idol, has built up anticipation.
‘TEN’
【TEN – The 1st Mini Album】
➫ 2024.02.13 6PM (KST)
Pre-order https://t.co/swFOYCTfUL#TEN #李永钦 #텐#NCT #WayV #威神V#TEN_TEN #NCT_TEN_TEN pic.twitter.com/dLaHXu7uRa
— NCT (@NCTsmtown) January 28, 2024
TROYE SIVAN’S CHOREOGRAPHER WORKED ON SO10 WITH TEN pic.twitter.com/dcw5eHVunk
— Taylor (@tenleelesbian) January 29, 2024
Because of this, many were waiting for the first musical preview, a track video for “Lie With You,” which dropped on February 5. The video featured Ten and an actress at a drive-in theater, with bittersweet lyrics about enjoying a relationship that may not last.
| @NCTsmtown/X | @NCTsmtown/X
The track was also shared on X, where users shared their feelings on the video. While many fans were happy with the content, a debate centered around his co-star’s gender began.
Ten has been known for his often gender-defying work and being unafraid to display his femininity.
| @NCTsmtown/X
Due to this, some have made assumptions about Ten’s sexuality, which appeared in the form of many questioning why there was a woman in the music video.
| @nct/Instagram
the way sm never even uses girls in their videos but because it’s faggotron 3000 singing a gender neutral song they had to do the most
— Taylor (@tenleelesbian) February 4, 2024
Many debated this, expressing a desire for Ten to be seen as more than his assumed sexuality during such an important time in his career.
trying to reduce tens art and hardwork into “pushing heterosexuality onto him” is a crazy statement, art is art he could’ve been w a guy in the video and that still wouldn’t define his sexuality y’all need to stop obssesing over his identify as a queer or not person
— 벨 텐미니 (@10velykiss) February 4, 2024
sigh.. i hope some of you will start seeing ten’s solo work as a reflection of his creativity and artistry and not just his sexuality or attraction
— (@lolelavico) February 4, 2024
reducing Ten to his sexuality (that u don’t know about) on the day where he has released his first solo song off of his SOLOIST album is just crazy.
criticizing/being negative towards the video bc there is a girl whilst u call yourself a fan is just idk weird to me
— luca! TEN (@tensvsion) February 4, 2024
Gonna say this as a queer person, I don’t give af about ten’s sexuality. I love how he doesn’t shy away from gender fluidity but the last thing I would do is drag his long awaited solo debut just because he’s not looking queer enough on a song
— Rahmi (@Rahmisays) February 4, 2024
Others pointed out that the gender of the person does not matter, as his lyrics could resonate with anyone, including LGBTQIA+ individuals. Some also reminded that sexuality is a spectrum and that people can have relationships with the opposite gender without that taking away from their queerness.
as a lgbt person too who cried at the lyrics, the message of the song about hiding a love, about loving in the moment no matter the inevitable end, just adds on to how wonderful his solo is unraveling with so much interwoven. Ten’s own sexuality doesn’t matter, this speaks to us https://t.co/JrNN3LinRu
— apricot ten人间艺术 (@lyqinqin) February 4, 2024
Not surprised at all about the debate over Ten’s sexuality after the track video but it feels crazy cuz one of the many possible interpretations of the lyrics/video could easily be the heartache of being pressured into comphet as a queer person
— (@10velydonghyuck) February 5, 2024
I’m gonna rant about how y’all are talking about Ten having a girl in his track video because apparently y’all think being queer is ONLY when a man is atracted to men. You cannot conceive bisexuals, let alone gender that doesn’t strictly fit in thr binary scheme.
— (@leechailatten) February 4, 2024
still seeing qrts and comments on the official sns saying he’s “straight-fishing” or they’re pushing heteronormativity on him and honestly it’s so crazy how 1. this conversation’s even happening and 2. everyone treats sexuality like a binary. bi+pan people aren’t allowed I see 🥲
— apricot ten人间艺术 (@lyqinqin) February 5, 2024
On the one hand, an openly gay idol being forced into portraying a heteronormative relationship would be wrong. However, assuming someone’s sexuality and making that the focus rather than their artistry will also be met with negative reactions.
