Gay K-pop Idol Holland Announces Enlistment, Pens Letter Regarding Korea’s LGBT Rights

2024-02-07
13:30

Oh no, Harlings, we have a piece of sad news for you!

Gay K-pop idol and actor Holland has announced that he will be enlisting in the military.

On February 3, Saturday, the idol posted a carousel of photos on his Instagram and penned a letter addressing his enlistment in the army soon to fulfill mandatory military service.

In the letter, Holland also acknowledged the elephant in the room, being that he is openly gay and about to serve in a country where queerness is still taboo.

“Being an openly gay artist going to the military in Korea is really interesting, isn’t it? I’m keenly looking forward to discovering what life holds for me outside the realm of art. Due to health issues, I couldn’t be assigned like others,” he wrote.

The singer also mentioned the lack of LGBTQIA+ rights in South Korea and said that going to the military is a natural duty hence, it would be “profoundly fulfilling to serve the military in the nation that acknowledges same-sex marriage” which would have allowed him to build a family but the singer expressed that impossibility of such rights adds a “bittersweet layer” to his journey.

Holland also addressed the previously planned fan meeting and announced that it has been postponed to around June. He proceeded to apologize to the fans for his shortcomings and promised to handle all his pending work and provide updates moving forward.

We wish Holland the best of luck and for him to come back safe and healthy after his enlistment.