First K-pop Boy Group Formed By All LGBTQ+ Members, “Want To Inspire Young People Of LGBTQ+ Community”

Making their debut in 2021, the boy group Lionesses consists of four members, including Damjun, Kanghan, Lee Malrang and Foxman. They are the first openly LGBTQ+ idols in the K-pop industry.

The four members, who are all LGBT+, met and became friends after visiting places for LGBTQ+ people in Korea. Sharing the same dream for music, they decided to form a group with the hope of making songs that could resonate with other people in the LGBTQ+ community. 

Singing about life, coming out, facing prejudices and homophobia, as well as enduring hate, Lionesses wanted to inspire young people of the LGBTQ+ community who also love music to pursue their dreams without fear through their songs. The members tried to encourage people to accept the LGBTQ+ community in the Korean modern society. The members shared, “Although people are more open to LGBTQ+, many people are still very conservative. I hope we can help break the prejudices and change people’s minds about LGBTQ+ in the future”.

According to the members, they chose “Lionesses” for their group name based on the image of real lionesses in nature. Damjun pointed out, “People believe that male lions are the rulers of the jungle. Actually, the real rulers are lionesses. Lionesses are always in charge of hunting for their troops”.

Although some K-pop idols have come out, Lionesses is the first boy group to have all members being openly LGBTQ+.

Lionesses released the debut single “Show Me Your Pride” and made their official debut on November 2nd, 2021. After member Foxman left the group after a long hiatus due to health issues, the group has been carrying out activities with only three members. Lionesses is still releasing music and videos on SNS and YouTube. They also perform at various events.

Sources: koreaboo