In the middle of Korean Pride Month, new singer Mashal talked about his struggles and pride in South Korea as a gay artist and the K-pop scene.
With its two new singles, MRSHLL has achieved a small but significant breakthrough in a highly closed entertainment industry in Korea were promoting a gay artist has never been an option – so far.
The Korean-American singer (born Marshall Bang), who made his public debut in 2015 through an interview with Time Out Magazine, explores new areas with “Circle” and “Home”, both new to his album. The collection was released on FeelGhoodMusic. Although attitudes toward homosexuality are slowly changing and the gay community has grown exponentially, Korea still stands firm against homosexuality, allowing any celebrity or public figure to It is almost impossible to be honest about your sexual orientation.
“Most of my Korean friends told me it was a social suicide,” MRSHLL shared with Billboard during an interview at a coffee shop in Gangnam. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy and I was aware of the dangers involved, but I wanted to be honest and open from the start.”
After moving from New York City to Seoul in 2012, the bold decision to formally appear as a gay artist in the ultra-conservative K-pop world became “almost organic.” “I don’t think I’ve made a conscious decision to become a ‘gay singer’ in Korea. I wasn’t trying to create a scandal or a commotion. It was literally very natural and instinctive.”
Although Peng never kept his sexuality a secret, he says he did not broadcast it. “People just thought I was gay. I thought it made sense what I was going to say, and it never crossed my mind, so I kept quiet. The whole thing, I did. Didn’t say anything, because I didn’t. ‘I think they, in their own words, understand what it means to be [gay].] I know [Korea] is more progressive than ever. Yes, but there are still many misconceptions about the LGBT community.
Despite growing public support and awareness, homosexuality is still widely misunderstood in Korea. The prevailing stereotypes against the LGBT community leave little room for tolerance. LGBT people are often deported, humiliated and discriminated against. This is mainly due to the fact that lies and mistakes are not resolved – something that MRSHLL has personally experienced.
“A few days ago, my best friend, whom I consider family, joked, or maybe not, that he didn’t believe I would befriend him because I’m attracted to him, almost real? The way it made me a little bit. We don’t pay attention to every man! Maybe he is joking or maybe he is telling the truth, but whatever it is, it shows that he is straight. Men are still anxious about homosexuals and this misunderstanding is still a big thing. “
Peng hopes to dispel stereotypes, bring more clarity to the LGBT community and help people cope with their struggles with their music. However, he is quick to point out that he does not want to represent all “rainbow people” in Korea. “There’s a lot of pressure here!” He added. “I can’t be the perfect role model because I’m human and I make mistakes.”
He goes on to say, “I’m just too scared to be labeled ‘gay’, because I’m more than a label, but if people want to put me in that category, so be it, because I’m happy. I will not say? ” It’s never a responsibility, but if I can help people in a positive way, it’s amazing. At the end of the day, I’m just a musician. I want to play music, and first of all be accepted as a legitimate musician. Everything else is different for me now. “
After years of pursuing music on her own and failing to find a label that allows for music and personal freedom, MRSHLL is finally sponsored and collaborated by veteran legendary rapist Tiger JK, Tasha and Bezie – aka MFBTY. Is making a name for itself. . “I can’t imagine how I could do that without my label,” he said. “My sex life was never a problem with them and it never came up. I was never forced or told to ‘relax’, or I was told not to say anything, which means everything.”
Although no major gay public figure or industrial company has publicly expressed support for homosexuality, FeelGhood is breaking the rules and changing the history of Korean music by giving MRSHLL an equal chance. “I really can’t think of any other label [in Korea] that would do what they do,” he told FeelGhood, which allowed him to stick to his personal and artistic identity. “I’m really grateful.”
As a guide for his first Korean EP later this year, MRSHLL presented two songs at English Feelghood, both of which have an atmosphere of pride, electro-R&B productions where they confuse their charming and airy sound. search. Reception (“house”).
Although his promotion was widely supported and accepted, he added that “it was not always easy and it is certainly not as smooth as it seems”. The eldest of three sons, MRSHLL is still struggling to be accepted by his mother, an evangelical Christian pastor. “I thought my mother was slowly opening up to the idea, but we haven’t spoken since my interview with NBC,” he says with a sigh. “Sometimes it hurts because it shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Still, MRSHLL’s bold move to risk a career in a socially resilient industry is truly impressive. This will not only help send a positive message to many LGBT people who are still struggling to safely open locked closet doors, but will also pave the way for the adoption of sexuality in Korea.
“I think that’s why I came first: I don’t want to be a negative homosexual,” he says. “It’s often experienced that way, but I want people to know that nothing is wrong with me. I do not suffer psychological trauma or confusion. The only difference is that I’m attracted to the same sex. Everything else is just me and that’s a nice thing. “
