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thread of kpop idols who have actively used their voices and platforms to address social and political issues
Holland
the first openly gay kpop idol, who isn’t ashamed of who he is and encourages others to be their true selves in a very conservative country. he actively stands against homophobia and discrimination on a daily basis
the first openly gay kpop idol, who isn’t ashamed of who he is and encourages others to be their true selves in a very conservative country. he actively stands against homophobia and discrimination on a daily basis
Jonghyun SHINee
jjong has actively supported equality for genders, sexualities and races throughout his entire career. he spread his message through his lyrics and actions. in 2013 he changed his pfp in support of a transgender student and later dm‘ed her to express his support.
jjong has actively supported equality for genders, sexualities and races throughout his entire career. he spread his message through his lyrics and actions. in 2013 he changed his pfp in support of a transgender student and later dm‘ed her to express his support.
[+] jonghyun also spoke openly for years about mental health and depression. he sent messages to struggling fans and even wrote a book in 2016 which reflected his depression. after his passing his family set up a charity to help unprivileged young people get into performing arts
![[+] jonghyun also spoke openly for years about mental health and depression. he sent messages to struggling fans and even wrote a book in 2016 which reflected his depression. after his passing his family set up a charity to help unprivileged young people get into performing arts](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ec68KQiXkAEp5xi.jpg "[+] jonghyun also spoke openly for years about mental health and depression. he sent messages to struggling fans and even wrote a book in 2016 which reflected his depression. after his passing his family set up a charity to help unprivileged young people get into performing arts")
![[+] jonghyun also spoke openly for years about mental health and depression. he sent messages to struggling fans and even wrote a book in 2016 which reflected his depression. after his passing his family set up a charity to help unprivileged young people get into performing arts](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ec68KQmWkAAi5FD.jpg "[+] jonghyun also spoke openly for years about mental health and depression. he sent messages to struggling fans and even wrote a book in 2016 which reflected his depression. after his passing his family set up a charity to help unprivileged young people get into performing arts")
BTS
for years bts have been known for their generous contributions to charities, often trying to remain anonymous. examples of these charities is their unicef love myself campaign which raised over $2million and recently donated $1million to the blm movement
for years bts have been known for their generous contributions to charities, often trying to remain anonymous. examples of these charities is their unicef love myself campaign which raised over $2million and recently donated $1million to the blm movement
Solar MAMAMOO
through her youtube channel Solarsido, solar has explored many difficult topics from addressing female genital mutilation, single parent injustices, racism and delivered food to the elderly. she uses her platform for positive every week and fights for equality
through her youtube channel Solarsido, solar has explored many difficult topics from addressing female genital mutilation, single parent injustices, racism and delivered food to the elderly. she uses her platform for positive every week and fights for equality
Moonbyul MAMAMOO
every year on ‘national coming out day’ moonbyul releases a letter to fans encouraging self love and confidence. she is an active supporter of the lgbt+ community and encourages girls to break gender stereotypes through her music
every year on ‘national coming out day’ moonbyul releases a letter to fans encouraging self love and confidence. she is an active supporter of the lgbt+ community and encourages girls to break gender stereotypes through her music
Kang Daniel
the former member of Wanna One donates to many charities and has been crowned the charity fairy of kpop. he openly donates and encourages fans to help out many korean and international causes.
the former member of Wanna One donates to many charities and has been crowned the charity fairy of kpop. he openly donates and encourages fans to help out many korean and international causes.
KEY SHINee
in 2015 kibum messaged a fan on instagram who had been posting pictures of her self harming and opened up about his own mental health issues. since then kibum has helped and supported many fans with mental health issues online and through messages
in 2015 kibum messaged a fan on instagram who had been posting pictures of her self harming and opened up about his own mental health issues. since then kibum has helped and supported many fans with mental health issues online and through messages
LOONA
the girl groups music videos have very openly been about lgbt relationships and have helped many fans feel accepted & understood
the girl groups music videos have very openly been about lgbt relationships and have helped many fans feel accepted & understood
RM & J-hope BTS
both members chose to use gender neutral pronouns in their lyrics and been gender inclusive when talking about relationships. they have both also donated to women’s charities on several occasions, jhope even funded female college scholarship in his hometown
both members chose to use gender neutral pronouns in their lyrics and been gender inclusive when talking about relationships. they have both also donated to women’s charities on several occasions, jhope even funded female college scholarship in his hometown
Suzy
suzy voiced her opinion regarding a petition to bring justice for Yang Ye Won who says she was sexually harassed during a photo shoot. after sharing a screenshot of her signed petition, suzy uploaded a long written statement about how she feels
suzy voiced her opinion regarding a petition to bring justice for Yang Ye Won who says she was sexually harassed during a photo shoot. after sharing a screenshot of her signed petition, suzy uploaded a long written statement about how she feels
Sulli
the former f(x) member openly spoke about her battle with mental health, cyberbullying, supporting women and called out the nasty side of the kpop industry. sulli shamelessly defied kpop norms by talking openly about her relationships and dressing how she liked
the former f(x) member openly spoke about her battle with mental health, cyberbullying, supporting women and called out the nasty side of the kpop industry. sulli shamelessly defied kpop norms by talking openly about her relationships and dressing how she liked
Ten WayV
ten has always been a supporter of sexuality and gender issues, he spreads a positive message through everything he does. ten has shown support for the lgbt+ community and always strives to make fans feel happy and accepted
ten has always been a supporter of sexuality and gender issues, he spreads a positive message through everything he does. ten has shown support for the lgbt+ community and always strives to make fans feel happy and accepted
Pentagon
the song always ‘difficult always beautiful’ written by kino is inspired by the episode 'San Junipero' from black mirror, and is about a lesbian couple. lgbt fans have expressed their appreciation for their songs and mvs being so inclusive
the song always ‘difficult always beautiful’ written by kino is inspired by the episode 'San Junipero' from black mirror, and is about a lesbian couple. lgbt fans have expressed their appreciation for their songs and mvs being so inclusive
Hwasa MAMAMOO
hwasa of mamamoo has been fighting korean beauty standards since before debut, making a healthy, tanned, curvy body beautiful. she lets fans know it’s okay to not be fine and that everyone should be confident in themselves. she also slams how koreans judge women
hwasa of mamamoo has been fighting korean beauty standards since before debut, making a healthy, tanned, curvy body beautiful. she lets fans know it’s okay to not be fine and that everyone should be confident in themselves. she also slams how koreans judge women
SEVENTEEN
the boy group have been very careful to make sure all their lyrics or actions don’t come across disrespectful to genders or sexualities. the group said they want everyone to identify and relate to their music, so it must be inclusive
the boy group have been very careful to make sure all their lyrics or actions don’t come across disrespectful to genders or sexualities. the group said they want everyone to identify and relate to their music, so it must be inclusive
SUGA BTS
yoongi has spoken often about mental health and how he wants bts to be a beacon of hope for his fans. not only does he use his platform to speak about mental health but he also shamelessly criticises the sk govt, education and capitalism through his lyrics
yoongi has spoken often about mental health and how he wants bts to be a beacon of hope for his fans. not only does he use his platform to speak about mental health but he also shamelessly criticises the sk govt, education and capitalism through his lyrics
EXO
the SM boy group have given large sums of money to charities since debut, mostly anonymously and have consistently shown respect for women, promoting themselves as respectful role models to their fans
the SM boy group have given large sums of money to charities since debut, mostly anonymously and have consistently shown respect for women, promoting themselves as respectful role models to their fans
Wheein MAMAMOO
the vocalist never shys away from speaking out about what she believes in. wheein talks about her battle with anxiety, mental health, past and present relationships and even had a confirmed wlw relationship in her solo music video which is rare in kpop
the vocalist never shys away from speaking out about what she believes in. wheein talks about her battle with anxiety, mental health, past and present relationships and even had a confirmed wlw relationship in her solo music video which is rare in kpop
MONSTA X
the group released the lost-guilty-beautiful trilogy (spelling lgbt) which had songs and mvs tackling issues such as feeling lost, mental & physical illness, oppression & abuse in families. the group often speaks carefully and sensitively about these issues
the group released the lost-guilty-beautiful trilogy (spelling lgbt) which had songs and mvs tackling issues such as feeling lost, mental & physical illness, oppression & abuse in families. the group often speaks carefully and sensitively about these issues
Hyuna
in recent years, hyuna has has become unapologetically herself. she defies convention by openly dating, wearing revealing clothing, lifting her skirt up, taking off her shirt and slams those who use slut-shame her. she’s become an icon for female sexuality
in recent years, hyuna has has become unapologetically herself. she defies convention by openly dating, wearing revealing clothing, lifting her skirt up, taking off her shirt and slams those who use slut-shame her. she’s become an icon for female sexuality
Taemin SHINee
taemin is immediately recognisable for his androgynous style with clothing and makeup, but he also went out of his way to make his dances and music go against typical kpop gender stereotypes. he is proud to embrace his femininity, which is still taboo in south korea
taemin is immediately recognisable for his androgynous style with clothing and makeup, but he also went out of his way to make his dances and music go against typical kpop gender stereotypes. he is proud to embrace his femininity, which is still taboo in south korea
IU
the soloist has been open about her own mental health problems for years and actively raises awareness for these issues in sk. IU has a massive platform so she understands her responsibility to talk about these issues. she also donates generously to charities
the soloist has been open about her own mental health problems for years and actively raises awareness for these issues in sk. IU has a massive platform so she understands her responsibility to talk about these issues. she also donates generously to charities
Ravi VIXX
the group group member has spood up for what is right since debut. not only does he donate to many charities but he has spoken out about the nth room scandal, encourages self love and been gender inclusive. he also has several large tattoos which are shunned in sk
the group group member has spood up for what is right since debut. not only does he donate to many charities but he has spoken out about the nth room scandal, encourages self love and been gender inclusive. he also has several large tattoos which are shunned in sk
BM KARD
an amazing example of someone who speaks the truth without fear of criticism. bm talks about sex, body image, mental health, racism, self love, the list goes on. he has never been embarrassed when discussing these topics and he’s a breath of fresh air from the norm
an amazing example of someone who speaks the truth without fear of criticism. bm talks about sex, body image, mental health, racism, self love, the list goes on. he has never been embarrassed when discussing these topics and he’s a breath of fresh air from the norm
CL 2ne1
this badass kpop idol has been challenging korean standards for years. she recently told the kpop industry to acknowledge black influences, tackles insecurities in her lyrics and has always been known to stand up for what she believes in
this badass kpop idol has been challenging korean standards for years. she recently told the kpop industry to acknowledge black influences, tackles insecurities in her lyrics and has always been known to stand up for what she believes in
HA:TFELT
the former wonder girls member is a self proclaimed feminist. she has criticised haters, speaks about depression, stands up for poltical injustices and more. being a feminist idol is still controversial but ha:tfelt goes against that to spread her message
the former wonder girls member is a self proclaimed feminist. she has criticised haters, speaks about depression, stands up for poltical injustices and more. being a feminist idol is still controversial but ha:tfelt goes against that to spread her message
STRAY KIDS
the rookie group have been super supportive towards fans all sexualities, genders and those with mental health problems. members also donated and spread awareness about the wildfires in australia, and attended pride whilst they were in new york
the rookie group have been super supportive towards fans all sexualities, genders and those with mental health problems. members also donated and spread awareness about the wildfires in australia, and attended pride whilst they were in new york
Kim Heechul
the super junior member is well known for how respectful he is towards women and tries hard to make them comfortable. he also goes out of his way to not disrespect any genders or sexualities, calls out the industry’s biases towards men and embraces his own femininity
the super junior member is well known for how respectful he is towards women and tries hard to make them comfortable. he also goes out of his way to not disrespect any genders or sexualities, calls out the industry’s biases towards men and embraces his own femininity
Tiffany Young
the former girls gen member is a huge advocate for the lgbt+ community and those with mental health issues, last month she also made a huge donation to blm. tiffany stresses the importance of happiness and encourages fans to take breaks from social media to heal
the former girls gen member is a huge advocate for the lgbt+ community and those with mental health issues, last month she also made a huge donation to blm. tiffany stresses the importance of happiness and encourages fans to take breaks from social media to heal
FANXYRED (formerly Acrush)
an androgynous cpop and kpop girl group which take on typically masculine genres and style. they’ve written a song called ‘Her’ about a wlw relationship. they challenge stereotypes unapologeticly
an androgynous cpop and kpop girl group which take on typically masculine genres and style. they’ve written a song called ‘Her’ about a wlw relationship. they challenge stereotypes unapologeticly
Taeyong and NCT127
nct’s leader taeyong created a scholarship for 4 students and has been paying for it since debut, the group often do volunteer work at schools and contribute donations also. doyoung has also made comments in support of lgbt+ relationships
nct’s leader taeyong created a scholarship for 4 students and has been paying for it since debut, the group often do volunteer work at schools and contribute donations also. doyoung has also made comments in support of lgbt+ relationships
LAY EXO
the member of exo, yixing, has done many things for charity in his years of being an idol. he started a college scholarship under his name in china, donated ambulances, donated cuts of his album profits to multiple organisations and much more
the member of exo, yixing, has done many things for charity in his years of being an idol. he started a college scholarship under his name in china, donated ambulances, donated cuts of his album profits to multiple organisations and much more
Chaeyoung TWICE
the girl group member has always used her platform to tell fans to be loving and accepting of others. she also has many tattoos which are taboo in sk, going against the standard for idols. another example of her good deeds is when she provided free mental therapy
the girl group member has always used her platform to tell fans to be loving and accepting of others. she also has many tattoos which are taboo in sk, going against the standard for idols. another example of her good deeds is when she provided free mental therapy
