Now Even Variety Shows Face the 'Queer' Wave... "I Will Come Out"

South Korea's First Diversity (Sexuality) Dating Reality Show
Queer Entertainment, Queer Festivals... 'Negative' Views Persist

Poster of the observational entertainment show , which premiered on the online video streaming service (OTT) Wavve on the 8th. Photo by Wavve

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] "Hello. I am a man who likes men, a gay."

Now, 'queer' can be seen in entertainment shows as well. On the 8th, the LGBTQ+ observational entertainment show premiered on the online video streaming service (OTT) Wavve. 'Queer' is a term that collectively refers to various sexual minorities, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, intersex people, and asexuals.

◆ Various misunderstandings and prejudices... preparing for marriage while being cautious

, which airs every Friday, features gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual individuals and captures their daily lives in an observational entertainment format. Three queer couples living together lead the program. They show through the broadcast how they have to give up ordinary daily life just because they are 'different,' and how society's lack of recognition surrounds them with misunderstandings and prejudices.

In episode 1 of , Boseong and Minjun, a male couple, are preparing for marriage. They want to enjoy a sweet newlywed life, but just because they are the same sex, they have to be cautious even when shopping together at the supermarket with their arms around each other.

The Boseong-Minjun couple discusses who will be the 'wife' when filling out the marriage registration form at the district office. After many twists and turns, they thought they could register their marriage, but the district office staff replied, "You can submit the form, but you cannot register the marriage." The staff added, "Originally, even submission was not allowed, but it changed recently. However, only submission is possible; the subsequent procedures cannot proceed."

The lesbian couple Garam and Seung-eun are looking for a wedding planner to prepare for their wedding. However, the wedding company said they stopped consulting with same-sex couples. The reason was that opposition from parents and family issues kept arising.

Jihae and Minju couple: Yoo Jihae is an FTM (Female to Male) transgender person, and Lee Minju is bisexual. When Minju uploaded a video of dating Jihae on YouTube, she was verbally abused at work. The deep wounds from uncomfortable gazes still remain intact.

This program shows not only thoughts about coming out but also the process of same-sex couples preparing for marriage. It suggests that ordinary daily experiences that typical men and women take for granted can be things that some people cannot do and that become discrimination.

In an interview with producer Lim Chang-hyuk released by Wavve, Lim described queer entertainment as "unadorned reality itself, romance." He said, "If more realistic concerns and public discussions about the environment of sexual minorities are needed, shouldn't we show their vivid lives themselves?"

Oh Sori, secretary-general of the Acting Sexual Minority Human Rights Solidarity, emphasized about the expansion of queer content into entertainment, "It is good that queer is covered a lot on broadcasts, but the key is how it is handled in various ways."

On the 16th, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held at Seoul Plaza. Photo by Reader Provided

◆ "I hope it becomes an opportunity to take interest in lives different from mine"

On the 16th, the 23rd Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held at Seoul Plaza. Sexual minorities and supporters gathered and filled the plaza with the 'rainbow' symbolizing sexual minorities.

However, on the opposite side, a counter rally was held with voices opposing queer. Christian and conservative groups held an opposition rally in front of Daehanmun and the Seoul Metropolitan Council across from Seoul Plaza, shouting slogans opposing homosexuality such as "Homosexuality is a sin" and opposing the enactment of anti-discrimination laws.

A woman in her 20s, A, who participated in the queer festival, said, "A huge crowd gathered regardless of nationality," and "It was impressive to feel that it was an environment where sexual minority couples were welcomed and could behave naturally."

Yang Seon-woo, organizing committee chairman of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, said, "The parade lasts only one day, but there are not many conditions to reveal sexual minorities in daily life," and "It is necessary to enact laws that practically help sexual minorities, such as family member rights and the enactment of anti-discrimination laws."

Articles about airing queer entertainment also could not avoid malicious comments. Derogatory and malicious expressions such as "disgusting" and "scary that children might imitate" were posted. There are also voices that queer entertainment on OTT content easily accessible to teenagers could cause wrong sexual values.

Boseong, who felt confusion about his sexual identity in middle school and realized at 20 that he liked men, said, "Many friends naturally distanced themselves after I came out." He also said that family and those around him expressed worried concerns like "Isn't it hard to live as a sexual minority?"

Producer Lim said, "People who have likes and dislikes about queer issues are those who have some interest. But the majority are those who don't even have interest. I want to create an opportunity for them to take at least some interest and think about lives different from theirs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.