India, April 25 -- In a moment that's making waves on the internet, Bain, a member of the South Korean boy group JUST B, came out as gay during the final stop of the group's U.S. tour in Los Angeles. The announcement, made at the Vermont Hollywood venue, marked a significant and deeply personal moment for the 23-year-old artist, and one that could ripple far beyond the stage lights.

It is well known that the K-pop industry is known for its discipline, precision, and polished perfection, from razor-sharp choreography to the near-mythical expectations placed on idols. But beneath the glossy surface, the cost of conformity has long weighed heavily on many performers. While recent years have seen cracks in the industry's strict exterior, lik...