There are many idols who are allies of the LGBTQ+ community, but there are few openly queer celebrities in the Korean entertainment industry. Most faced immense backlash after coming out or were outed, but their perseverance proved that they could still achieve their goals while staying true to themselves.
The soon-to-debut K-pop boy group POLARIX (폴라릭스) apparently has one member, who has never hidden his sexual identity, and because of this, many have become curious about his life before becoming an idol trainee. Here are some fun facts about Xinche (新澈):
1. He is the first openly queer idol in a pre-debut K-pop group
Most idols choose to come out only after achieving success, so it is extremely rare for an idol to be openly gay or queer before debuting. Xinche may not be the first openly gay or queer idol in a K-pop group, but he is possibly the first in his generation, or in recent years, especially since his group POLARIX has yet to debut. The group’s debut date is currently unknown, but it can be assumed that it will be sometime in 2025, making them a 5th-generation idol group.
2. He went viral for his AI-like facial features
When Xinche was revealed as a contestant on the “Starlight Boys” survival show, fans praised his facial features, saying that he looked like an AI-generated character. The singer once had to prove that he hadn’t had any cosmetic surgery prior to joining the contest. Guess some people are just blessed with good looks.
3. He had a boyfriend before becoming a trainee
Before joining “Starlight Boys”, Xinche was an active content creator on Douyin. He would occasionally post videos of himself and his then-boyfriend on his channel, and their relationship received support from fans. Unfortunately, it is unknown how the two met or broke up.
4. He was allegedly abused by his parents growing up
This may not be much of a “fun” fact, but Xinche’s story resonated with fans after they discovered an old Weibo post from his past. Much of the soon-to-debut idol’s personal life circulated online after his popularity grew. Fans found a Weibo post from Xinche detailing the abuse he endured from his parents while growing up. His current relationship with his parents remains a mystery for now, but he has since received many support from fans.
5. He released an original song on his 18th Birthday
Back in November 2024, Xinche released an original song titled “Romance Guide”, a mid-tempo R&B track to commemorate his 18th birthday. Fans praised his soothing vocals as well as his handsome face when he posted the video on YouTube.
