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‘Ocean Likes Me’: First gay K-pop idol Holland cast with Han Gi-chan in BL K-drama

Han Gi-chan also played the lead in the popular BL K-drama 'Where Your Eyes Linger' in 2020

K-pop and K-drama fans from the LGBT+ community can rejoice because we are getting more positive representation in South Korean pop culture. Previously, gay or effeminate characters were used as a punchline in K-dramas, but now even Korean productions have started dabbling in the BL (Boys' Love) genre popularized by Thailand and Taiwan. And now we have the BL K-drama ‘Ocean Likes Me’ casting idols like Holland and actor Han Gi-chan.

With the topic of LGBT+ issues becoming less taboo in a conservative country like South Korea, we have more and more idol actors taking up diverse roles. We have had the likes of SHINee’s Minho, SF9’s Rowoon, A.C.E’s Jun, VIXX’s Hyuk and more playing LGBT+ characters while NCT’s Jaehyun’s first acting project was almost a BL film remake. And now ‘Ocean Likes Me’ is turning heads for casting the first openly gay K-pop idol Holland.

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Holland and Han Gi-chan in ‘Ocean Likes Me’

On January 27, it was reported that ‘Ocean Likes Me’, an upcoming BL K-drama had found its main leads. It is a rom-com about an aspiring chef who wants to open his own restaurant at a beach and a blooming relationship with a failed musician. Han Gi-chan plays Han Bada, the stony-faced entrepreneur whose biggest obstacle is attracting customers to his udon restaurant. He meets the charming Tommy played by Holland who returns home after his failed career. The drama follows the two helping each other achieve their dreams and will air in the first half of 2022.

Han Gi-chan’s first major role was in the popular 2020 BL K-drama ‘Where Your Eyes Linger’ as he played the confident and charismatic Tae-joo. His latest role was in the thriller suspense ‘Find Me If You Can’ that had also cast Astro’s Rocky and MJ. And while international fans love Holland, he was ostracized by many in the K-pop industry for coming out as gay. However, he has since bounced back, having collaborated with the likes of Gucci, being invited by Burberry and has now ventured into acting with ‘Ocean Likes Me’.

'Best thing in the world'

Fans are happy for Holland as they made tweets like, “Holland starring in a BL is amazing because 1. He deserves the recognition and 2. Gay representation by actual gay people is the best thing in the world.” One K-drama fan shared, “Eyo Han Gi Chan gonna deliver once again.” Another posted, “Can't believe I m going to see han gi chan again 😭😭😭😭 been waiting for this.” A Holland fan added, “Holland is finally fliming the upcoming korean bl drama “Ocean Like Me” really happy for him.”