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.
