He’s the First Openly-Gay K-Pop Idol in Korea
![He’s the First Openly-Gay K-Pop Idol in Korea](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FI-28.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85&blur=80)
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![Carl Samson](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CARLSAMSON_NEXTSHARK.jpg?width=128&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
By Carl Samson
The first K-Pop idol to come out of the closet before his debut released his first single earlier this week!
![first gay k-pop artist](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/13260814_117948801957212_124882029_n-e1516883396976.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Meet Holland, y’all.
![first gay k-pop artist](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1-44-e1516883782916.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
On January 21, Holland dropped the music video for “Neverland”, a mellow, alternative R&B track that centers on the romance between two lovers as they go through life. We previously reported on Marshall Bang, a Korean-American being the first openly-gay singer in K-pop, but his sound is more distinctively alt-R&B than pop.
![first gay k-pop artist](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2-42-e1516883928196.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Look how adorable they are!
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/3-41-e1516883969438.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
The video features a rare, same-sex kiss in the history of K-Pop, leading to a 19+ rating.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/4-33-e1516884039172.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Throughout, we see him and his partner in a beautiful aesthetic that captures not only our eyes but our hearts.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/14309821_1088362194574584_1603858784_n-e1516883492706.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
And while he’s an independent artist, “Neverland” already hit one million views in the first 24 hours — a rare feat in K-Pop!
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/15624247_1885697495008495_7147885183335661568_n-e1516883437741.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Following his debut, Holland officially joins South Korea’s small community of LGBTQ celebrities, including Hong Suk-chun and Harisu.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/17075801_1871116389825245_5285250526684905472_n-e1516883455416.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Congratulations on your debut, Holland! We look forward to your success!
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/5-29-e1516884593497.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Check out “Neverland” below:
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